Latest news with #crisismanagement
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Stock take today: Wall Street hits record, Japan market update
CNA938 Rewind - Did CEO Andy Byron need to resign after viral 'kiss cam' controversy? IT company CEO Andy Byron, captured in a widely circulated video showing him embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert, has resigned. The incident raises questions about public surveillance, workplace boundaries and how quickly private moments can become public in the digital age. Did he need to resign or could a solid crisis communication plan be enough? Hairianto Diman chatted with Hazel Westwood, Crisis and Reputation Management expert to find out.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
TikTok-famous PR strategist accurately predicts outcome of Coldplay CEO fiasco
In the wake of a Jumbotron capturing Astronomer CEO Andy Byron in a compromising moment with the company human resources head Kristin Cabot at a Coldplay concert earlier this week, TikTok-renowned reputation and crisis strategist Molly McPherson offered her insights on the ensuing PR debacle, while accurately predicting Byron's resignation. In a now-viral social media clip, the musical pair could be seen on the concert's "kiss cam" covering their faces and ducking behind stadium seats. Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin called out the awkward response in front of the crowd, joking the two were either "having an affair" or "just very shy." McPherson, who built a TikTok following of nearly 600,000 users by hypothesizing about celebrity PR responses to similar media woes, weighed in on the fiasco, and Astronomer's initial response to the situation. Days after the incident, the company released a statement reinforcing its values and announcing it had launched a "formal investigation." "Astronomer finally comes out with their statement," McPherson said in a TikTok video posted Friday. "If I were running crisis management on the inside here, I would not have released a statement. … I would not have done that, and here's the reason why: Even though Chris Martin exposed the CEO and the chief people officer, it was still a private matter." She added there was "nothing special" about the statement, which shared vague details about the company's focus on "accountability." "By waiting so long, it creates this vacuum, of course, and that's why everything went viral," McPherson said. "There was so much collateral damage by that point, not to mention all [of the] employees [and] investors. … But also, don't forget, the CEO is in charge. There's a power hierarchy." Noting stories are more likely to go viral in July and August, McPherson said the incident happened at the "worst time of year." "You cannot control the public, and you cannot control memes — which, by the way, meme culture [is] peak humor. This was good," she said. "Not only did the story go viral, not only was it video, not only was it Coldplay, but [there was] also the fake CEO statement, which a lot of PR types out there definitely knew was fake. A lot of journalists knew it as well." Hours after the video reached the internet, a fake apology statement, which claimed to be issued by Byron, was posted online. The statement, which Astronomer confirmed was not authentic, ended with song lyrics from Coldplay's "Fix You," "Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you." McPherson said there were clear "winners and losers" in the spectacle, noting the company would likely come out unscathed. "[The] winners [were] Chris Martin and Astronomer … and also, eventually an ex-wife," she said. "[The] loser [was] Andy Byron. He'll be out by the end of next week, definitely. From a corporate reputation [perspective] … it's all fine." One day after McPherson shared her thoughts, Byron tendered his resignation and the board of directors accepted.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
What CEOs Should Do When They Are Caught In Public Having An Affair
At an Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Mass. Wednesday night, Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer, a data ... More analytics company. was seen on a jumbotron hugging a woman who was not his wife. Mass. (Photo by) Romantic affairs that become public can immediately create a crisis for those involved and their companies. The latest example is Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer, a data analytics company. He was seen Wednesday night on a giant screen at a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Mass. hugging a woman who was not his wife, the New York Times reported. 'They were cuddling and smiling, his arms wrapped around her, as she leaned back into him. When they saw themselves on the big screen, her jaw dropped, her hands flew to her face and she spun away from the camera. He ducked out of the frame, as did she,,' the Associated Press reported. 'The two could be seen embracing until their faces flashed across the jumbotron, which sent them diving for cover, 'Either they're having an affair or they're very shy,' Chris Martin, Coldplay's lead singer, told the audience, according to The Hill. Images of the incident quickly went viral and hav been seen millions of times on social media platforms. Astronomer placed Byron on leave, and said that, contrary to reports, he had not released a personal statement, according to the BBC. Crisis management and public relations experts weighed in with their advice on what corporate executives should do when they are caught in public having an affair. 'This is the time for the executive to 'fall on the sword' and take accountability for the possible impact to his/her personal life, but also to the company, the customers and the teams that trusted their leadership. The goal is to reestablish trust. Proactively answer the question: 'If one lacks character and self control in one area, does it impact all other areas?'' Zakiya Larry Wolfe, founder and CEO of Quest Media Group, told me in an email interview. Knowing what not to do in a situation such as this is as important as knowing what should be done.'What the executive should not do is blame their spouse for leading to the affair. While there are multiple sides to every story, bringing in a scapegoat, no matter how true it may be, shows a lack of leadership, accountability, and stability,' he advised. Denying the obvious is never a good crisis management strategy. 'If a situation like this goes viral, the worst thing an executive can do is pretend it didn't happen. If the story is picking up steam, it's better to get ahead of it with a short, honest statement — not a press release, just something real. Don't over-explain, don't point fingers, and definitely don't lie. Owning it (without dragging the company into it) is the best move,' Trevor Perkins, founder of Perk PR, told me via email. The longer an executive is quiet about his or her behavior, the worse things can get for them and their company. 'Silence leaves a vacuum that others, namely the media, social media commentators, employees, and even competitors, can and will fill, usually with the worst assumptions, so get ahead of the inevitable storm and try to grab hold of the reins,' Georgia O'Brien-Perry of Bulldog Digital Media, recommended to me via email. Executives should take some time—but not too much time—to think about what they will say about the incident. That's because 'a lack of critical thinking can make the situation even worse. Take a moment to pause, work closely with your communications team, and get clarity on what you want to say. Your message needs to be calm, measured, and authentic and,above all, not defensive or dismissive,' she advised. The CEO must show they are aware of the issue and taking responsibility 'even if they're not ready (now, or later) to give full details. It's far better to give a brief acknowledgement of what is going on rather than stonewalling; the public aren't stupid and don't like having the wool pulled over their eyes, so face it head on,' O'Brien-Perry concluded. It is not everyday that a senior corporate executive is caught in public having an affair. But that does not mean that companies and organizations should pretend it will never happen. Wednesday's incident involving the CEO of Astronomer 'is a great reminder for companies and executives to be prepared. Because of the sudden nature of crises, leaders must ensure that their organizations aren't just reacting in the moment but are also well equipped before a crisis happens.' Kristi Piehl, founder and CEO of Media Minefield, concluded in an email message to me.
Harvard Business Review
09-07-2025
- Business
- Harvard Business Review
Leading in the Age of Outrage
Public outrage is becoming an ever-present threat to businesses and leaders in today's hyperconnected and polarized world. It travels at lightning speed, disrupting decision-making, damaging reputations, and stalling progress. It's no longer enough for leaders to know how to manage a crisis; today's leaders must learn how to lead in a world of constant crisis.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EU announces plan to stockpile food, water and medicines over fears Putin will launch WW3 with European invasion within five years
The EU today announced its first ever plan to help stockpile essential goods such as food, water, fuel and medicines in case of crises, amid fears over potential war with Russia. Brussels' 'stockpiling strategy' comes as NATO warns that Russia - currently waging war on EU neighbour Ukraine - could be ready to attack the alliance within five years. The 27-nation bloc has launched a broad readiness push to bolster its militaries and try to ensure it can defend itself by 2030. 'The goal is very simple to make sure that essential supplies that keep our societies running, especially the ones that save lives, are always available,' EU crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib said. 'The more we prepare, the less we panic.' The EU says the new stockpiling plan is aimed at securing the continuity of key goods during a raft of crises 'such as major energy blackouts, natural disasters, conflicts or pandemics.' It involves establishing a network between countries to better coordinate stocks, identifying gaps and bolstering 'EU-level stockpiles'. The levels of crisis preparedness among EU citizens still vary markedly from country to country. Member states, such as Finland, living under Moscow's shadow on the EU's eastern border, have long worked on having society ready for potential conflict. 'Of course, if you have a 1,000 kilometres border with Russia, you will feel threatened potentially by a war,' Lahbib said. 'But it is normal, that in Spain, they feel that wildfires are more likely to happen. There is no one size fits all.' Lahbib insisted that whatever the cause of a crisis - be it conflict or natural disasters - the impact on citizens such as energy blackouts can be similar. 'People are without energy, and that's why we need to stockpile items everywhere in the European Union,' she said. In March, as part of its efforts, the EU advised every household to have a three-day survival kit including water, food and flashlights ready in case of emergencies. Advocating for the new strategy, the commission says that better integration will be facilitated by 'highly integrated value and supply chains' within the Single Market. While needs may differ country to country, the EU must have a 'comprehensive, shared analysis among all relevant stakeholders, across sectors and borders, and to coordinate efforts to prepare and respond quickly and effectively.' Beyond war, Europe is also looking to prepare for natural disasters, human-induced disasters and health emergencies (like industrial accidents and pandemics), and hybrid threats (like cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns). The 'If Crisis or War Comes' guide advises Swedes on how best to help their country prepare Britain, despite having more recent memory of armed conflicts than many of its allies on the continent, has fallen behind in civil planning. In November, the chief of the UK defence staff said that Britain simply does not have 'some of the civil aspects or planning aspects' that other allies have 'as part of their traditions'. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin told the Berlin security conference that 'we are having those conversations to learn from our colleagues and see what might be appropriate for ourselves'. Days prior, Sweden had announced that it would be sending out five million pamphlets to its population just north of 10 million, urging preparedness for the possibility of a lasting conflict. Since Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, Stockholm has urged Swedes to prepare mentally and logistically for a possible conflict, citing the worsening security situation. Sweden has been in the EU since 1995 and will have a head start on new plans to ready populations, but only joined NATO in 2024, breaking nearly 200 years of neutrality in response to the perceived Russian threat on its doorstep. Britain, part of NATO but not the EU, is starting to take measures to better prepare the civilian population for the possibility of war. Late in June, the government published its National Security Strategy 2025, looking at 'Security for the British People in a Dangerous World'. 'For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario,' the report acknowledged. It promised a series of new measures including strengthening borders, enhancing critical national infrastructure and promoting economic ties with the EU and the US while rebuilding a defence industrial base and protecting other sovereign capabilities. But it also stressed the importance of building domestic resilience to future threats that 'could cause massive disruption to our way of life'. A new Resilience Strategy will aim to support civil society and the public sector to address risks and vulnerabilities, including launching 'public communications to inform citizens about preparedness for risks'. The government is investing £1bn to prepare the UK for 'biological incidents, accidents and attacks'.
