McMisfire
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll analyze two very different communications moments playing out in public view. First, they examine a viral Instagram video featuring McDonald’s C…
Best of Q4 2024
In this special End of Year edition of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll reflect on some of the most compelling stories and discussions from their first season.
From Episode 1, "Ford Quits the HRC Index", they examine the corporate retreat from diversity commitments, the influence of online provocateurs like Robbie Starbuck, and the broader implications for stakeholder engagement in the DEI space.
Episode 3, "You Deserve a (Price) Break Today", highlights McDonald’s bold transparency campaign to counteract misinformation about inflation and pricing. The hosts discuss how breaking traditional communication rules—paired with strategic pricing—helped restore trust and improve customer perception.
Finally, they revisit Episode 9, "Jaguar", unpacking the automotive brand's controversial rebranding strategy. Steve and Craig debate whether attention-grabbing campaigns without clear substance can effectively rebuild a brand's image and ponder the balance between marketing and product focus.
Tune in for this insightful recap as the hosts share key lessons learned in corporate communications and reputation management. Get ready for a fresh season of Communication Breakdown in 2025!
Takeaways
Topics Mentioned
Corporate Reputation, Diversity, Crisis Communication, Activism, PR Strategies, McDonald's, Jaguar, Corporate Equality Index, Stakeholder Influence, Transparency
Companies Mentioned
Molson Coors, Caterpillar, Ford Motor Company, Walmart, McDonald's, Jaguar, Anheuser-Busch, Land Rover.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Communication Breakdown
00:59 Diversity Commitments and Corporate Backtracking
04:44 The Influence of Activism on Corporate Policies
10:17 Crisis Communication: McDonald's Transparency Strategy
16:22 Jaguar's Rebranding and PR Challenges
Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation.
Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling.
Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast.
For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com
From Episode 1, "Ford Quits the HRC Index", they examine the corporate retreat from diversity commitments, the influence of online provocateurs like Robbie Starbuck, and the broader implications for stakeholder engagement in the DEI space.
Episode 3, "You Deserve a (Price) Break Today", highlights McDonald’s bold transparency campaign to counteract misinformation about inflation and pricing. The hosts discuss how breaking traditional communication rules—paired with strategic pricing—helped restore trust and improve customer perception.
Finally, they revisit Episode 9, "Jaguar", unpacking the automotive brand's controversial rebranding strategy. Steve and Craig debate whether attention-grabbing campaigns without clear substance can effectively rebuild a brand's image and ponder the balance between marketing and product focus.
Tune in for this insightful recap as the hosts share key lessons learned in corporate communications and reputation management. Get ready for a fresh season of Communication Breakdown in 2025!
Takeaways
- The influence of non-traditional stakeholders is growing.
- Companies are facing backlash for rolling back diversity commitments.
- Diversity is increasingly seen as a business asset.
- Public opinion on diversity initiatives is shifting.
- Companies must balance stakeholder interests with public perception.
Topics Mentioned
Corporate Reputation, Diversity, Crisis Communication, Activism, PR Strategies, McDonald's, Jaguar, Corporate Equality Index, Stakeholder Influence, Transparency
Companies Mentioned
Molson Coors, Caterpillar, Ford Motor Company, Walmart, McDonald's, Jaguar, Anheuser-Busch, Land Rover.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Communication Breakdown
00:59 Diversity Commitments and Corporate Backtracking
04:44 The Influence of Activism on Corporate Policies
10:17 Crisis Communication: McDonald's Transparency Strategy
16:22 Jaguar's Rebranding and PR Challenges
Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation.
Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling.
Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast.
For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com
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