Is Bad PR Actually Good for Business?

Spoiler Alert: Nope. It’s not.

You know the saying, “All publicity is good publicity”.

But is it really?

Is being a meme on Twitter or the subject of LinkedIn rants good for your brand?

Sure, they issued statements, and sure, some folks were like, “At least they’re being talked about.”

But at what cost?

Let’s take both the Zomato’s Chief of Staff issue and the YesMadam campaign on mental stress.

In Zomato’s case, I feel like it’s a cover-up for the single product restaurants that were there on the platform (IYKYK) and for YesMadam it’s a pathetic attempt to go viral.

In Zomato’s case, people might have forgiven them quickly and moved on, but in YesMadam’s case, it will come back to haunt them.

Think what will be the mindset of the employees and also the future hires.

These companies think bad PR is okay, and they can shake it off easily.

But I’m telling you, bad PR is NOT good for business. Here’s why:

1. Trust Takes Years to Build, Seconds to Break
   When bad PR hits, the first thing to crumble is the trust they’ve built over the years. Customers and employees alike start doubting your intentions.

2. You Lose the Talent Battle
   A company’s culture is its biggest asset. If your brand is known for stunts like these, the best talent will look elsewhere. And without great people, your business is just an idea waiting to fail.

3. Negative Attention = Shallow Buzz
   Sure, everyone’s talking about you now, but is it for the right reasons? Are customers tagging their friends saying, “Bro, we need to try this service,” or are they saying, “Bro, look at these jokers!” Viral negativity rarely converts into sales.

4. The Internet Never Forgets
   Screenshots are forever. Even if you recover from the PR nightmare, Google will remind everyone about the time your name was dragged through the mud. Future investors, partners, and customers will think twice before trusting you.

But What About… The Success Stories?

Sure, some brands have bounced back from bad PR. Think of Pepsi’s Kendall Jenner ad fiasco.

But for every Pepsi, there are a hundred startups that never recovered. It’s like saying, "Well, I know someone who survived playing with fire, so maybe I’ll try it too." Not the brightest idea, eh?

Bad PR is like a spicy pani puri gone wrong, it might give you a jolt of excitement, but it leaves a burning sensation that’s hard to forget.

Zomato and Yes Madam’s examples show us that bad PR isn’t just a momentary lapse in judgment.

It has ripple effects, on trust, culture, and ultimately, the bottom line.

So, next time someone says, “All publicity is good publicity,” tell them: “Sure, until it isn’t.”

Until next time, keep hustling, but don’t stress your team out in the process.

Your brand’s vibe depends on it!

Btw, if you are really finding it difficult to stand out from the market, I’ve written an e-book on exactly how to do it without doing these wild stunts.

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