We dissect the fascinating case of former McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook, who was fired last year for having a consensual relationship with an employee in violation of the company's policies. Fast forward to this week, when McDonald's management announced they uncovered other relationships and sued Easterbrook to claw back his severance package. We'll explain why this case is groundbreaking, and take a look at the fascinating legal and PR implications.

Then Cam dives into social media, particularly how companies should plan for a crisis. He shares a number of tips to lower risk and make sure companies are communicating effectively online.

Also: a look at Norsemen on Netflix, an incredible podcast on the 1980s adult film industry and scandal that nearly brought it to its knees, and a few jokes at Quibi's expense!

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Show Notes and Links

• McDonald's Steve Easterbrook: A New Approach to Sacking? - BBC
• Ellen DeGeneres Scandal (Discussed on Episode #18) - PR & Law Podcast
• Americas are Wary Over the Role Social Media Sites Play in Delivering the News - Pew Research Center
• How to Use Social Media for Crisis Communications and Emergency Management - Hootsuite
• China Law Blog
• 'We're All Being Fired! Exciting!': HMV Staff Take to Official Twitter Account to Liveblog Their Own 'Mass Execution' - The Independent

Check This Out

• Norsemen - Netflix
• The Porn Industry's Biggest Scandal is Also an Unsolved Mystery - Vanity Fair
• Once Upon a Time... in the Valley - Apple Podcasts
• Is Anybody Watching Quibi? - Vulture
• 'You guys, we have three new shows out today. (thread)" - Quibi on Twitter
• Ryan Renolds Now Owns Mint Mobile - CNET

Hosts

Ewan Christie is an employment lawyer and partner at Duntrune LLP in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Cam MacMurchy is the director of global communications with one of the biggest technology companies in the world, which is listed in Hong Kong. He is also the curator of the Digital Bits PR and Communications newsletter and blogs at CamMacMurchy.com.