What We’re Reading is a monthly roundup of current news, commentary, challenges, and trends that impact our industry as well as those of our clients. From leadership transitions in Hollywood and the limits of executive storytelling at Red Lobster, to community trust challenges around AI infrastructure, high‑stakes crisis decisions in entertainment, and brands working to regain relevance through consistency and cultural fluency, this month’s reads underscored a common theme: reputation is built through alignment—between values and operations, words and behavior, innovation and accountability.
Public Relations
Warner Bros.’ Oscar Wins And Bob Iger’s Disney Departure Marks The End Of Two Hollywood Eras – David Bloom, Forbes
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s big Oscar night and Bob Iger’s long‑anticipated exit from Disney happened in the same week—and this Forbes article argues that it is no coincidence. Together, the moments signal the end of two defining Hollywood eras and the start of a more uncertain, pressure‑filled chapter for legacy media companies. As studios face everything from streaming economics to AI disruption and consolidation, the article reflects on how even the most successful leadership runs eventually give way to change and how the next generation of executives will be judged less on scale and star power, and more on adaptability, discipline, and trust.” – Jenny Cummings
Red Lobster’s Last Gasp – Eliza Ronalds-Hannon and Anders Melin, Businessweek
“As powerful as executive positioning and thought leadership strategies can be, Red Lobster’s tale proves they are only as effective as they are authentic. Red Lobster’s CEO’s efforts to personify the new, bolder chapter for the Cheddar Bay biscuit-beloved brand (say that five times fast) were admirable but failed to deliver operationally. A testament to the necessity of communications and operational growth strategies being inextricably linked.” – Kate O’Neil
Trump has an AI data center problem ahead of the midterms — with no easy solutions – CNBC, Spencer Kimball
“The president’s quip that data centers ‘need some PR help’ cuts to the core of a real communications failure. Grassroots opposition is growing in communities across the country, with residents blaming the facilities for rising electricity bills—even as major tech executives signed a White House pledge to cover their AI energy costs. A pledge without binding structure and community-level explanation is just a press release. Stakeholder trust is built locally, long before opposition becomes organized.” – Michael Grimm
What Authentic Leadership Looks Like Under Pressure – Deepa Purushothaman and Colleen Ammerman, Harvard Business Review
“Being a leader right now is hard, and this piece doesn’t shy away from that. What resonated with me most is the idea that trust isn’t built through transparency; it’s built through consistency. Showing up with honesty and steadiness, even before you have the full picture, is what people actually need. And the leaders who do that best aren’t the ones projecting strength—they’re the ones who let themselves be human, admit uncertainty, and treat resilience as something shared rather than carried alone. For those of us who think about communications for a living, it’s a good reminder that the most powerful message a leader can send isn’t a statement—it’s how they show up every day.” – Paige Borgman
Crisis Communication
Pentagon Officially Notifies Anthropic It Is a “Supply Chain Risk.” – Cade Metz, Julian E. Barnes and Sheera Frankel, The New York Times
“Anthropic is earning reputational kudos and behind-the-scenes support for its stance that it doesn’t want its products to be used for mass surveillance or in autonomous weapons. No doubt, many would find such applications scary. But, it raises a more fundamental question: should a private contractor be able to dictate how its U.S. Government customer uses its products? If they are allowed to enforce such restrictions, what kind of precedent would it set? It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what it means for other government contractors who may be similarly inclined.” – Nick Kalm
ABC’s Unprecedented Last-Minute Cancellation of Bachelorette Could Cost Network Tens of Millions of Dollars: Reports – Liza Esquibias and Charna Flam, People
“ABC took a gamble when Taylor Frankie Paul (The Secret Lives of Mormon Lives) was announced as the next bachelorette—a blatant attempt to rack up viewers for the fading show. While ABC ultimately made the right decision to cancel (albeit three days before the premiere), it was clearly the last resort. Before the cancellation, Paul was featured as a guest on ABC’s daytime shows, signaling that the network was trying to save face rather than taking accountability for their misstep in casting her. While ABC isn’t the only broadcaster to face a major incident, it is vital for them to revisit their mission, values, and brand identity. The Bachelor has been struggling for years, and I would not be surprised if this is the end of it.” – Emily Schultz
‘The Bachelorette’ Took a Risk on Taylor Frankie Paul. It Backfired. – Julia Jacobs and John Koblin, The New York Times
“So much of this case is deeply troubling, but what feels underdiscussed is how the public’s demand for entertainment can perpetuate dangerous situations in the pursuit of views and revenue. The Bachelorette knowingly brought on a controversial figure, and the draw of a reality TV star with a strong fan base was enough to justify the risk. What ultimately prompted the network to take action? A video. Once the video was up, it was all over. It’s worth questioning what it says about audience behavior that we so often need to ‘see it to believe it.’ Hopefully, this serves as a lesson in prioritizing individual safety and well-being before our appetite for drama reaches a tipping point.” – Catherine Wycklendt
Digital and Social Media Strategy
More! More! More! Tech Workers Max Out Their A.I. Use. – Kevin Roose, The New York Times
“As AI use seemingly turns into a status game in select industries, communications will play a critical role in helping organizations validate what that usage actually delivers, shifting the narrative from volume to value. For communicators, this underscores a growing mandate to help organizations validate AI use, translate tokens into real business impact, and shape a new language of success that employees and leaders alike will need to learn.” – Kristin Monroe
How Gap danced its way back to relevance – Elizabeth Segran, Fast Company
“Gap’s approach is a strong reminder that cultural relevance isn’t something you announce—it’s something you build over time. Through a series of smart, in-tune moves, like celebrity partnerships with Gwyneth Paltrow and a ‘milkshake’ denim campaign with Katseye, they’re reaching their target audience in a fresh way and helping the brand feel current again. Taken together, these moments aren’t just marketing stunts—they’re consistent storytelling that gradually shifts perception and reminds people why Gap mattered in the first place.” – Lindsay Erickson
General Mills Bets on Protein and Fiber to Win Back Consumers – Jesse Newman, The Wall Street Journal
“General Mills’ approach to adding protein and fiber to legacy brands like Cheerios reflects a strategic way to stay relevant without disrupting what consumers already trust. From a reputation perspective, the move reinforces familiarity while acknowledging how eating habits are changing. It’s a reminder that incremental updates, paired with clear communication, can help protect a brand over time.” – Emma Smits
Houston airport, with nearly 40% TSA sickout, becomes symbol of America’s broken travel system – By Juan A. Lozano, Lekan Oyekanmi, and The Associated Press, Fortune
“Stories like this show how quickly an internal funding issue can become a public trust issue when frontline workers and consumer experience are involved. When unpaid TSA workers are the face of the story, the narrative shifts away from policy mechanics and toward reliability, fairness, and confidence in the system. From a communication standpoint, moments like this demand empathy and ownership over procedural explanations—because travelers and workers feel impact, not process. How organizations respond in these moments plays a critical role in whether trust is preserved or eroded.” – Grace DuFour