Standing in a record-breaking crowd of 1.6 million people on the final date of Madonna’s Celebration Tour in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), I shook my head in disbelief at the sheer magnitude of her success. Millions of fans chanting her name, singing along to her iconic songs, and breaking a world record.
I later reflected on how few brands have as much influence and longevity as Madonna. As a publicist to both celebrities and small businesses, I analyzed what tools she has employed in her PR playbook that could be employed in other industries.
With a career spanning four decades, Madonna has dominated music charts—and nailed her public relations. Through thinly-veiled PR stunts (think on-stage kisses with Britney), an underlying strategy has enabled her to attract every type of strategic corporate and influencer partnership to the table.
Her PR playbook has some surprisingly valuable insights that small businesses can use to up their own PR game.
PR Lessons You Can Learn from Madonna
1. Authenticity
- Madonna’s authenticity has been central to her PR success.
- Small businesses can emulate this by staying true to their core identity and values in their PR efforts.
- PR lesson: Clearly define your brand’s core values and mission statement, and ensure that your PR efforts align with these principles.
2. Strategic Trendsetting
- Madonna’s ability to anticipate and embrace cultural shifts has kept her at the forefront of her industry.
- Small businesses can adopt a similar mindset by actively monitoring market trends and innovating their products or services accordingly.
- PR lesson: Stay ahead of the curve by pushing boundaries and pioneering new trends.
3. Compelling Storytelling
- Madonna’s grasp of storytelling extends beyond her music and encompasses every aspect of her brand.
- Small businesses can use storytelling to elevate and humanize their brand.
- PR lesson: Identify unique narratives within your brand and weave them into your PR efforts.
4. Engaging Across Generations
- Madonna’s ability to connect with diverse audience demographics is a testament to her approach to engagement.
- Small businesses can take a similar approach by diversifying their communications channels and tailoring content to different audiences.
- PR lesson: Invest in building a robust social presence across multiple platforms and tailor messages to target different age groups and interests.
5. Taking Control of the Narrative
- Madonna has always been great at controlling her narrative.
- Small businesses can manage their narratives by being proactive in their communications and finding a brand story that remains consistent and inspirational.
- PR lesson: Be proactive in your PR efforts and maintain a positive public perception.
6. Crisis Communications
- Madonna’s handling of crisis situations has only reinforced her brand.
- Small businesses can learn from her example by developing a proactive crisis communications strategy.
- PR lesson: Anticipate potential crises and develop a comprehensive crisis communication plan.
Elevate Your Company’s Brand Presence
By demonstrating authenticity, staying ahead of trends, telling compelling stories, engaging across generations, taking control of the narrative, and preparing for crises, your small business can build an influential brand that stands the test of time. When you have a great PR strategy, these things happen automatically.
