Live from GCC East 2025: Molly McPherson Takes the Stage on Crisis Communications
Fresh off the heels of Day 1 at the General Counsel Conference East (GCC East) in New York City—hosted at the Marriott Marquis Times Square from November 10-12, 2025—crisis communication powerhouse Molly McPherson delivered a session that’s already buzzing in legal circles. As TikTok’s “PR Lady” with over 500,000 followers and host of the Indestructible PR® Podcast, McPherson joined Heather Nevitt, Editor-in-Chief of Corporate Counsel (an ALM publication), for a live fireside chat on “Navigating Corporate Crises in the Social Media Age.” The event, drawing 1,000+ in-house leaders, underscores GCC East’s theme of “Elevate Your Legal Career,” blending networking, keynotes, and actionable insights on innovation and resilience.
If you’re tuning in “live” (or catching the recap), here’s the scoop from the session, pulled from real-time X chatter, the official agenda, and on-site dispatches. McPherson’s talk—part of the afternoon lineup on November 10—focused on turning scandals into strategies, with real-world dissections of 2025’s biggest brand blunders (think AI ethics fails and viral executive missteps).
Session Highlights: McPherson’s Key Takeaways
McPherson, a former corporate comms exec turned social media savant, broke down how GCs can “PR-proof” their organizations in an era where one tweet can tank a stock. Her vibe? Unapologetically candid, blending humor with hard truths—think TED Talk meets TikTok roast.
- The 24-Hour Crisis Window: “You have 24 hours to own the narrative, or TikTok will write it for you.” She cited the 2025 Boeing whistleblower saga, where delayed responses amplified a 15% share dip. Tip for GCs: Pre-draft “dark site” responses for top risks like data breaches or DEI backlash.
- Social Media as Jury and Judge: With 70% of consumers now fact-checking via influencers, McPherson urged legal teams to “collab, don’t control.” Example: How Chipotle’s 2025 E. coli pivot—partnering with TikTok creators for transparency—boosted trust scores by 22%. Her advice? Train your C-suite on “viral vulnerability” to humanize apologies.
- AI’s Double-Edged Sword: Fresh off SXSW 2025 buzz (where she spoke on March 8), McPherson warned of “deepfake depositions” and generative AI hallucinations in PR. Solution: Embed ethics clauses in vendor contracts and use tools like her Indestructible PR® Framework for rapid audits.
- Diversity in Crisis Response: Echoing ALM’s focus on inclusive leadership, she shared how underrepresented voices in war rooms catch blind spots—e.g., cultural nuances in global scandals. “Your ERG isn’t just optics; it’s your early warning system.”
The chat wrapped with a Q&A firestorm: One GC grilled her on handling boardroom leaks (“Leak first, legally”), while another probed personal branding (“Post like a pro, not a pol—authenticity wins lawsuits and likes”). Nevitt moderated with sharp follow-ups, tying it to Corporate Counsel‘s latest on GC burnout.
Event Vibes and Broader GCC East Scoop
GCC East isn’t just talks—it’s a powerhouse mingle with 50+ sessions on AI governance, M&A pitfalls, and ESG litigation. Day 1 kicked off with a welcome from ALM’s CEO, featuring breakfast keynotes on “The GC as CEO Whisperer.” Standouts:
- Networking Gold: Speed-meets with peers from Fortune 500 legal depts; the expo hall buzzed with vendors demoing compliance AI (shoutout to Thomson Reuters’ booth).
- Day 2 Teasers: Tomorrow (Nov. 11) brings panels on quantum risks in IP and a closing gala—expect McPherson-level energy from speakers like Kirkland’s GC on cross-border regs.
- Attendance Perks: Hybrid access for remote GCs, with on-demand replays via the Law.com app. Early birds scored swag like branded stress balls (ironic for crisis pros?).
X lit up post-session: Corporate Counsel tweeted the live link at 9:03 PM ET on Nov. 10, racking up views from legal influencers. Law.com shared a photo recap, capturing McPherson mid-gesture with Nevitt. One attendee quipped, “Molly just made crisis comms feel like a superpower—GCs, take notes!”
Why It Matters for In-House Leaders
In 2025’s hyper-connected world—where 62% of crises start online (per Edelman Trust Barometer)—McPherson’s insights are a playbook for GCs juggling compliance and comms. As she wrapped: “Crises don’t define you; your comeback does.” If you’re at GCC East, hit the afterparty; if not, stream the session on Law.com (free for registrants).
Streaming live? Drop your hot takes below—or tag @MollyMcPhersonPR for a shoutout. What’s your biggest crisis comms headache? Go Blue… wait, wrong conference—Go GC! For more, head to the full recap on Law.com.