Ageism, sexism, bad management, and incredibly poor messaging, today’s PR crisis has it all!

This week’s podcast focuses on Bell Media’s ousting of Lisa LaFlamme and her replacement by a younger male, shortly after the beloved CTV Anchor allowed herself to go gray.

Let's discuss Lisa’s PR masterpiece of a response video and Bell Media’s well-written but completely inadequate response statement. While a private company has the right to hire and fire whomever they choose, decisions like these affect the public, and if not handled correctly, this could be detrimental to a company’s continued support and ultimately their bottom line. This podcast looks at the importance of truth and transparency in a PR response, and when a statement should be replaced by an apology. Tune in to hear the statement Bell Media put out, why it was a bad statement, why it created such a blowback, and how the statement should have been written to avert a PR crisis.

Key Points From This Episode:

Today’s topic: the PR nightmare associated with Bell Media’s firing of CTV anchor Lisa LaFlamme and why their statement was inadequate.
Some previous examples of anchors being let go and the resulting PR crises.
The implications of how Lisa LaFlamme was fired shortly after allowing herself to go gray.
The problem of the lack of transparency on the part of Bell Media regarding why they fired Lisa.
Lisa LaFlamme’s video response and why it’s a PR masterpiece.
Why does a situation like this call for an apology, not a statement?
Who was hurt by Bell Media’s decision.
The biggest problem with Bell Media’s statement.
The legal implications of making an apology or accepting responsibility.
How an apology can help you regain trust, reduce liability, and be an effective business decision.
How Bell Media’s apology should have been written.
The Indestructible PR tip for the day relating to the importance of the first line in any response statement.
Closing words on why you should never fire women of a certain age.

Where in the World is Matt Lauer’s Reputation?

173: How Jeff Zucker's Resignation from CNN Signals a Shift in Crisis

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow Molly on Substack
Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

#73 Babymutsjes en schoolverzuim

NTVG PODCAST

Waarom een mutsje gebruiken na de geboorte

The AI-powered Podcast Player