The PIO Podcast
The PIO Podcast is a platform for Public Information Officers (PIO's) and Public Affairs Officers (PAO's) in public sector organizations, including Police, Fire, EMS, FEMA, state, local, and federal government organizations. The podcast aims to facilitate learning, growth, and discussion of issues that PIO's/PAO's may encounter within their profession. If you would like to support the podcast and connect with other PIO's/PAO's, please email us at thepiopodcast@gmail.com.
The PIO Podcast
S5 - E14: Molly McPherson - Molly McPherson Public Relations
Episode Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, PR expert Molly McPherson shares her insights on navigating media crises, the importance of social media in crisis management, and the common pitfalls faced by public information officers (PIOs). She emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in communications and discusses how to transform crises into opportunities for building trust. Molly also reflects on her experiences at FEMA and the lessons learned from various case studies in crisis management.
Molly's Bio: In Molly McPherson's world, just about anything is a tell. That's how The Boston Globe described Molly's work as a crisis communications expert who moonlights as a celebrity PR whisperer on TikTok.
As an APR-certified crisis management and public relations practitioner, Molly uses her deep understanding of media culture to benefit her clients and the over half a million social media followers who look to her for insight into brand and celebrity actions, whether genuine or part of a PR stunt.
She is the host of "The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson" podcast and author of "Indestructible: Reclaim Control and Respond with Confidence in a Media Crisis."
In her career, she's known as an innovator in crisis communication, from introducing digital media strategies at FEMA to developing some of the first crisis communication web resources as communications director for cruise lines during critical incidents like the 9/11 attacks and the 2002 Norovirus outbreaks.
Her insights have garnered international attention, making her a recurring commentator for respected outlets such as NBC News, GMA, The Today Show, CNN, NPR, Access Hollywood, CTV News, and The Today Show in Australia. She has also been a featured commentator on ABC's Impact x Nightline, Vice TV's NINE LIVES OF...and TMZ Investigates on Fox Television.
Additionally, Molly has provided commentary for outlets such as the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the BBC, and the Wall Street Journal.
Beyond her media presence, Molly is a celebrated keynote speaker, an Adweek Creative Visionary Award winner, and a Forbes.com contributor writing about leadership and crisis management. She has taught companies, leaders, and brands, as well as hundreds of thousands of online followers, how to navigate a PR crisis in the tricky digital media era.
Molly's Website: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/
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