Imagine your students leaning forward—engaged not because they have to be, but because they can’t look away. That’s the power of business communication brought to life through real-world drama, pressure, and consequence.
Today’s students crave relevance, emotion, and connection—and these upcoming case studies deliver all three. Drawn from today’s most captivating cultural arenas—Hollywood, viral music moments, fast-food showdowns, influencer scandals, startup triumphs and collapses, streaming platform battles, and sports controversies—each themed set explores how communication decisions built (or broke) reputations, careers, and brands.
These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re real stories of persuasion under pressure, brand voice in crisis, ethical missteps exposed, and messaging that went viral… or imploded.
Each case includes:
✅ Instructor Notes packed with strategies and insights
✅ A ready-to-use Student Assignment designed for immediate application
Every scenario is carefully aligned with Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, transforming textbook principles into living, breathing moments of decision-making, audience awareness, messaging strategy, and ethical judgment.
Students will decode Netflix’s password crackdown, dissect Taylor Swift’s crisis messaging, analyze Lil Nas X’s viral persuasion, critique influencer apologies, and question the ethics of AI-generated personas. They’ll see themselves reflected in these stories—and understand how communication shapes industries, outcomes, and futures.
Complimentary and rolling out in the coming weeks. Get ready for the moment students say: Now I understand why this matters.
Preview of Forthcoming Cases
🎬 Lights, Camera, Communicate!
Behind the Scenes of Business Communication: How Hollywood Masters the Art of Storytelling, Strategy, and Audience Connection
Hollywood Press Releases: Crafting Messages for a Global Audience
These cases are available now. Click the case title to access the case.
Hollywood Press Releases: Crafting Messages for a Global Audience
The Role of Nonverbal Communication in Casting and Talent Negotiations
Brand Partnerships and Product Placement: A Case of Business Messaging
Audience Feedback Loops: How Studios Use Data and Social Media to Adjust Strategy
🎵 Viral Hits and PR Misses
From Viral Fame to Public Fallout, These Music-Industry Moments Reveal How Persuasion, Authenticity, and Crisis Response Define Modern Business Communication in the Age of AI and Social Media
Viral TikTok Breakthroughs: How Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo Rewrote the Rules of Persuasion
Turning Chaos into Clarity: Crisis Communication in Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Meltdown
Deepfakes Go Platinum: The Business Communication Fallout from the Fake Drake & Weeknd Hit
When the Music Stops: Crisis Communication Lessons from the Astroworld Tragedy
🍔 A Recipe for Success
From Witty Tweets to Global Menu Makeovers, These Cases Reveal How Brands Navigate Humor, Culture, Influence, and Emotion to Connect—and Sometimes Collide—with Audiences in the Digital Age
Wit, Risk, and Reward: What Wendy’s and Oreo Teach About Digital Persuasion
From Big Macs to McSpicy: What Global Menus Reveal About Cross-Cultural Marketing
Hype or Authenticity? What Pop Culture Partnerships Reveal About Modern Persuasion
The Human Side of Virality: How Everyday Interactions Shape Brand Reputation
🥈 Likes, Shares, and Scandals
Fame, Fallout, and Forgiveness: What the Creator Economy Teaches Us About Connection and Redemption in the Age of AI
From Canceled to Celebrated: The Art of the Digital Comeback
Tears, Text, and Timing: Decoding the Viral Apology Video
When Pixels Persuade: The Ethics of AI-Made Personas
The Illusion of Intimacy: When Audiences Feel They ‘Know’ Influencer
🥉 Stream Wars: Business Communication in the Age of Netflix and Beyond
Inside the Stream Wars: The High-Stakes Business Communication Battles Behind Every Click, Cancelation, and Comeback
From Chill to Bill: Netflix’s Password Crackdown and the Art of Customer Messaging
From Fandom to Fallout: The Communication Costs of Canceling a Beloved Series.
Glitches and Gaffes: Managing Real-Time Digital Crises
Memes, Metrics, and Messaging: How Netflix Masters Digital Engagement
🚀 Perfect Pitch: Business Communication Lessons from Startups
From Vision to Vulnerability: How Startup Success—and Failure—Reveals the Human Side of Business Communication
The Power of the Pitch: Persuasion Under Pressure
Designing Persuasion: Visual Storytelling in Startup Pitch Decks
From Garage to Greatness: The Power of Startup Storytelling
Transparency Lost: What Theranos and FTX Teach About Ethical Messaging
🏈 Game on: What Sports Teaches Us about Business Communication
From Triumphs to Takedowns: How Every Move, Message, and Misstep Becomes a Lesson in Business Communication
Game Face, Brand Voice: How Athletes Craft Their Public Image
When the Whistle Blows: Communicating Through Scandal and Suspicion
Just Do It—or Don’t? The Persuasive Power of Purpose-Driven Branding
Post, Regret, Repeat: The Cost of Social Media Missteps
