Crisis PR Analysis: ADWEEK Social Media Week Blunders

Crisis PR expert Molly McPherson presented an analysis of three corporate public relations failures and the underlying brand mistakes during ADWEEK’s Social Media Week.

The analysis focused on identifying the specific errors that lead to PR fiascos, providing a framework for brands to avoid similar blunders in their social media and marketing strategies. Social Media Week serves as a forum for exploring the intersection of advertising, media and marketing.

AI Integration and Content Evolution

During Social Media Week 2026, several companies detailed how artificial intelligence is altering brand presence and content creation. Manscaped shared how the brand utilized AI to evolve its social media strategy beyond its previous reliance on ball memes.

Mahi de Silva of Higgsfield AI discussed the emergence of what she termed the Access Era. De Silva explained how AI is democratizing content creation and lowering existing creativity barriers for brands and creators.

Strategies for Authenticity and Engagement

Other industry leaders presented strategies for maintaining brand authenticity amidst viral trends. Kareem Rahma of Subway discussed the viral success of Subway Takes, attributing the results to a refusal to change the content format and a commitment to keeping brand collaborations authentic.

In the sports media sector, Justin Karp, the vice president of social media at NBC Sports, outlined the company’s social strategy for the Milan Winter Olympics. Karp provided three primary insights into the game plan used to manage the event’s social presence.

Serial entrepreneur Emma Grede also shared four specific rules designed to help brands maintain actual relevance on social media platforms.

Corporate Crisis Management Context

The focus on PR blunders at Social Media Week aligns with recent reports on high-profile brand crises. Adweek has documented several instances where corporate campaigns led to significant public debate.

American Eagle CMO Craig Brommers recently addressed a campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. The campaign sparked a national debate after some observers perceived the content as a reference to eugenics. The debate occurred more than two months prior to Brommers’ commentary on the situation.

Other recent crisis management scenarios reported by Adweek include challenges faced by Tylenol and the response from American Airlines CEO Robert Isom following a plane crash in Washington, D.C.

the publication noted the efforts of brands such as Airbnb, Planet Fitness, and Sweetgreen to provide aid to victims of wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Airbnb specifically partnered with the nonprofit 211 LA to offer free temporary housing to individuals displaced by the California wildfires.