The $100M founder’s playbook for surviving bad press

Inside the War Room: How to Manage a Company Crisis

Most founders think they’ll never face a real crisis until they do.
In this episode, David Meadvin shares what happens when your company’s biggest deal collides with bad headlines and how to handle it without losing investor trust or internal credibility.

From CEOs facing internal backlash on Day 1 to IPOs hanging by a single shareholder vote, David reveals the psychological and operational playbook for leading through chaos: protect your reputation, over-communicate with your team, and never delegate integrity.

His advice for founders is brutally simple: put credibility in the bank before a crisis hits. Because when it does, that’s the only currency that matters.

🎥 Watch the full episode now on YouTube

Here’s what you’re in for:

04:22 - Navigating an IPO Crisis

08:49 - Frameworks for Crisis Management

11:50 - Handling Political and Social Issues

16:47 - Personal Crisis Stories and Lessons

20:26 - Decision-Making in Crisis Situations

23:58 - Navigating Stakeholder Reactions

24:37 - Building Trust with Investors

25:12 - Handling Crisis Situations

27:18 - The Importance of Communication

29:21 - David's Career Journey

30:39 - Advise for CEOs and Founders

35:06 - The Role of Politics in Business

38:58 - Final Thoughts on Crisis Management

51:47 - Maintaining Mental Health as a Founder

Watch it Now

ABOUT David Meadvin

David Meadvin is the CEO and Co-Founder of One Strategy Group, advising Fortune 500s, PE firms, and high-growth startups on complex communications, reputation, and crisis strategy.

A former political strategist turned reputation architect, David’s work sits at the intersection of power, narrative, and execution — helping leaders stay credible when it matters most.

Get in touch with David:

• 🔗 Learn more:  onestrategygroup.com
• 🔗 Connect with David on LinkedIn

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