Toyota’s Truth-Telling, Shutdown Comms Playbook

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Communication Breakdown

OCR Network

56 episodes

1 week ago

Communication Breakdown is a postgame show for PR pros. In each episode, hosts Craig Carroll (fmr. USC Annenberg, UNC Chapel Hill) and Steve Dowling (fmr. OpenAI, Apple) discuss the strategies and tactics companies are using in high-visibility crises and PR initiatives, giving listeners unique insight into how key decisions are made.

The podcast offers two unique perspectives on communications theory and practice, drawing on Craig’s teaching and research at top universities around the globe and Steve’s two decades of experience as a comms leader at some of the world’s most influential companies.

Whether you're a PR professional, marketing executive, or just curious about how companies make key communications decisions, you'll find these discussions insightful and valuable.

All content for Communication Breakdown is the property of OCR Network and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Toyota’s Truth-Telling, Shutdown Comms Playbook

Communication Breakdown

19 minutes

1 week ago

Toyota’s Truth-Telling, Shutdown Comms Playbook

When the President rewrites your press release, how fast do you fact-check him?In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll break down how Toyota calmly but firmly corrected Donald Trump after he exaggerated the company’s U.S. investment plans — live from an aircraft carrier in Tokyo Bay. With global reputations on the line, Toyota showed how to reclaim narrative ownership without picking a fight. It’s a masterclass in precision, tone, and institutional discipline.Then, the hosts turn to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and the growing economic ripple effects for business. From delayed IPOs to unpaid TSA workers, what role should companies play in projecting stability — or pushing for resolution? Steve and Craig explore how corporate credibility gets redefined in moments of national dysfunction, and why empathy and operational resilience might be the only playbook that matters.

Takeaways

Toyota responded with speed, facts, and composure — a case study in credibility control
In high-stakes messaging, tone is what makes truth believable
Internal communications drive external trust — especially in uncertain times
Businesses don’t need to be saviors, but they do need to be steady

Topics Mentioned
narrative arbitrage, leadership communications, corporate fact-checking, reputational resilience, government shutdown, employee empathy, economic confidence, business leadership, corporate tone, stakeholder trust

Companies Mentioned
Toyota, Salesforce, Coca-Cola, United Airlines, Hilton, Unilever, ICE, SEC, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable

Episode Hashtags
#Toyota #NarrativeIntegrity #Trump #GovernmentShutdown #CorporateLeadership #CrisisComms #BusinessInfluence #EmployeeComms #StakeholderTrust #PoliticalRisk #ReputationalResilience #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork

Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation.
Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling.
Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast.

For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com