The Headless Boar

The Headless Boar

Author: Observatory on Corporate Reputation LLC October 4, 2024 Duration: 20:05
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the recent crisis faced by Boar's Head due to food safety issues, including listeria contamination that resulted in multiple deaths. They analyze the company's lack of transparency and accountability, the importance of visible leadership during a crisis, and compare Boar's Head's response to that of CrowdStrike during a separate incident. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective communication strategies, rebuilding trust with consumers, and understanding the recall process in crisis management.


Takeaways
  • Boar's Head faced a significant crisis due to food safety issues.
  • Transparency and accountability are crucial in crisis communication.
  • Leadership visibility can enhance trust during a crisis.
  • Rebuilding trust requires proactive communication and actions.
  • Understanding the recall process is essential for PR teams.
  • Crisis plans should account for internal disputes and leadership roles.
  • Effective communication can mitigate damage to a company's reputation.
Chapters
00:00  Introduction to Communication Breakdown
01:03  Boar's Head Crisis Overview
03:45  Transparency and Accountability in Crisis
06:50  The Importance of Leadership Visibility
10:22  Comparative Analysis: Boar's Head vs. CrowdStrike
12:39  Rebuilding Trust After a Crisis
17:11  Understanding the Recall Process

#BoarsHead #crisiscommunication #transparency #foodsafety #publicrelations #leadership #accountability #foodrecall #corporatereputation #communicationstrategies

Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation.
Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling.
Produced in partnership with Advocast and  Shawn P Neal.

For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcasts@ocrnetwork.com

Communication Breakdown is a sharp, fast-moving podcast for PR and communications pros who want to understand what really happens when reputations are on the line. Hosted by OCRs Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling, each postgame-style episode breaks down how organizations navigate high-visibility crises, product launches, policy debates, and other make-or-break moments in the public eye. Drawing on experience from institutions like USC Annenberg, UNC Chapel Hill, OpenAI, and Apple, the hosts dissect real-world cases, exploring what worked, what failed, and why. Listeners can expect candid analysis of messaging, leadership, media strategy, stakeholder management, and internal alignment, all grounded in current events across news and business. Whether youre in marketing, management, or corporate communications, listen episodes of Communication Breakdown to sharpen your judgment, stress-test your own strategies, and better anticipate how communications decisions play out when it matters most.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 86

Communication Breakdown
Podcast Episodes
Friendly skies vs. strong headwinds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:21
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine how United and Delta communicated through a punishing week for the airline industry, marked by soaring fuel costs, geopolitical instabil…
Chalamet’s Choke, Daryl’s Splash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll unpack how Timothée Chalamet’s Oscar campaign unraveled despite strong box office performance and critical acclaim. They examine how an aggressi…
McMisfire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:33
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…
Iran, Earnings, and … TACOs? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:20
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll break down two parallel realities corporate communicators now have to manage at once. First, they analyze how the White House communicated the o…
Tariff Turnabout, Milan Meltdown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:11
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll unpack the Supreme Court’s 6–3 ruling that last year’s emergency tariffs were illegally imposed, throwing $175 billion in collected duties into…
Silence & Subpoenas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:34
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine a Bloomberg column arguing that America’s most powerful CEOs have gone conspicuously quiet in the Trump era. They unpack the idea of a “…
The Outspoken Olympians [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:40
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine three threads that dominated the week: U.S. Olympic athletes speaking on America while competing in Milan, the privacy backlash to Ring’…
The Reputation Super Bowl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:45
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine two very different reputation tests playing out on a global stage. First, they unpack why the NFL’s handling of Bad Bunny’s Super…
Minnesota CEOs miss the mark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:11
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll return to the topic of Minnesota to examine how corporate leaders responded after the killing of protester Alex Preti during federal immigration…
Davos TACO, “Idiots” Feud [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:51
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine two very different European stages where reputation, power, and communication collide. First, they unpack Davos 2026 and what the…