EPISODE 21: T-Rex Thought Experiment

08/13/24 • 37 min

In the latest episode of Crisis Beat, hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther dive into a fascinating thought experiment that explores the idea of rebranding the Tyrannosaurus Rex’s public image. The episode begins with the hosts introducing themselves and giving shout-outs to their loyal listeners, setting a casual and engaging tone. They then quickly move through some breaking news stories, touching on topics like Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles, Elon Musk’s latest scientific feud, and the challenges facing Boeing’s new CEO. These updates serve as a warm-up to the main event, which is both unexpected and intriguing: how to reshape the public narrative of one of history’s most famous dinosaurs.

The heart of the episode is a creative exploration of how the T. Rex, typically seen as the ultimate predator, could be portrayed in a new light. Brady and Mark discuss how the T. Rex's image could be softened by focusing on its potential parental behaviors and ecological significance, moving away from its fearsome reputation. They propose a multifaceted strategy that includes educational campaigns, media partnerships, and interactive experiences to highlight these lesser-known aspects of the T. Rex. The idea is to shift public perception from seeing the T. Rex solely as a ruthless carnivore to appreciating its complex role in the prehistoric ecosystem.

To add depth to their discussion, the hosts also touch on Marshall Ganz’s framework for public narrative, explaining how storytelling can be used to inspire change. They break down the components of Ganz’s approach—Story of Self, Story of Us, and Story of Now—and discuss how these elements could be employed in rebranding efforts not just for the T. Rex, but for any entity facing a crisis in public perception. By the end of the episode, listeners are left with a fresh perspective on how narratives are constructed and the power they hold in shaping public opinion.

Crisis Beat closes with Brady and Mark reflecting on the broader implications of their thought experiment, suggesting that the lessons learned from reimagining the T. Rex’s image could be applied to real-world public relations challenges. Their conversation is a reminder of the importance of narrative in defining how we understand the world around us, whether it’s the story of a prehistoric predator or a modern-day corporation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

EPISODE 20: Drake BBL Drizzy Recovery(?)

Welcome to the latest compelling episode of Crisis Beat! Join hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther as they delve into the most recent and intriguing stories in crisis communications and public relations.

Hosts Introduction

Brady Wood: Business owner and public relations professional.
Dr. Mark Crowther: Chair of Medicine at McMaster University.

Main Event: Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar

Drake: A Global Superstar Under Fire

Accomplishments: Drake is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 170 million records sold, numerous awards including five Grammys, and 13 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Feud Background: The beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar dates back years, with Kendrick winning a Pulitzer for his album 'Damn'.
Controversial Claims: Kendrick Lamar's songs accuse Drake of being a 'pedophile,' cultural appropriation, and colonization, with references to Drake's controversial friendship with Millie Bobby Brown and other concerning details.
Current Struggles: Drake's personal and business life is under scrutiny, from security concerns to multiple company ventures and issues with corporate lobbying.

Other Updates

Airlines Under Fire

Air Canada’s Cultural Insensitivity: Backlash for mishandling the traditional headdress of a Chief of the National Assembly of First Nations.
Boeing’s Quality Control Issues: A door panel fell off an Alaskan Airlines flight, raising deeper concerns about Boeing's safety standards and the mysterious deaths of whistleblowers.

Corporate Apologies and Controversies

Apple Apologizes: Addressing a misstep in their advertising campaign.
Panera Bread: Phasing out their controversial caffeinated lemonade linked to two deaths.
Bumble’s Advertising Blunder: Another company apologizing for a poorly received ad campaign.

Political Communications

Kristi Noem’s Downfall: Analyzing why some political figures fail to maintain public trust despite bold, often false statements.
RFK Jr.’s Shocking Admission: Revealing a parasitic worm ate part of his brain, sparking discussions on health and credibility.

Breaking News Briefs

Harvard’s New Measures: Introducing checks and balances in public statements.
Satire on Harvard’s New Comms Director: Highlighting the lighter side of serious institutions.

Why You Can't Miss This Episode:

In-Depth Analysis: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest crises in various high-profile sectors.
Expert Commentary: Listen to expert breakdowns on how these entities are managing—or failing to manage—their public relations challenges.
Engaging and Informative: Stay informed with engaging stories that offer both serious insights and lighter cultural notes.
AND... learn more about Mark's love of Electronic Dance Music (EDM), in particular Deadmaus :)

Tune in now for an episode packed with drama, expert analysis, and the practical tools you need to navigate the complex world of crisis communications. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the latest high-stakes situations in business and public life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

EPISODE 22: The Secret Service Playbook

Welcome to Crisis Beat, Episode 22, Hosts Brady Wood, a business owner and PR professional, and Dr. Mark Crowther, Chair of Medicine at McMaster University, are back together after Mark’s recent adventures.

Main Topic: The Secret Service in the Spotlight

The episode delves into the ongoing controversy surrounding the U.S. Secret Service, particularly focusing on the Senate hearings involving Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.

Key Events:

July 13: A Trump rally in Pennsylvania saw an assassination attempt by Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old. The Secret Service’s response, especially regarding the security of a building with a sloped roof, comes under intense scrutiny.
July 22: Cheatle is subpoenaed to appear before the Senate. Key issues include her handling of the situation, the decision not to use a counter-sniper, and her statements about the sloped roof, which lacked clear policy support.
July 23: Cheatle resigns amid growing criticism and calls for accountability.
July 30: Acting Director Donald Rowe testifies, facing tough questions from Senator Josh Hawley about disciplinary actions and internal communication failures.

Breaking News Briefs:

CrowdStrike Outage: Discussion on the recent widespread outage impacting critical systems, emphasizing the importance of proactive crisis management.
Activist Targeting: Tips on how organizations can prepare for being targeted by activists.
Food Recall Best Practices: Best practices for navigating recall communications.

Takeaways:

Understanding and addressing issues in detail is crucial. If unsure, acknowledge it clearly.
Accountability and transparency are key—avoid equivocation and be clear about processes and timelines.
Leaders should demonstrate personal due diligence and make themselves available to address issues directly.

The episode wraps up with reflections on the importance of clear communication and accountability in crisis situations, and the need for robust response strategies in both internal and external crises.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.