Spooky Case Studies

By: Natalie Gardner | October 30, 2025

The Murray State University Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) celebrated Halloween week with a creative and educational twist during its “Spooky Case Studies” meeting. Members gathered to explore some of the most infamous public relations crises in history—complete with costumes, candy, and valuable lessons in strategic communication.

The group watched and discussed several major PR blunders, including Pepsi’s Kendall Jenner advertisement, Dove’s diversity campaign misstep, and Krispy Kreme’s ill-fated promotion, among others. Each case offered a chance to analyze what went wrong, how companies responded, and what could have been done differently to manage the fallout.

Members were encouraged to come dressed in Halloween costumes, making for a festive and interactive environment as everyone shared their thoughts on how they would have handled these “PR nightmares.” The meeting combined fun and learning, giving students a better understanding of crisis communication and brand reputation management in a real-world context.

The event was a hit with attendees and served as a reminder that even the biggest brands can make scary mistakes—but good PR professionals know how to turn them around.

For more information about upcoming PRSSA meetings and events, contact murraystateprssa@gmail.com