Learn from the three biggest leadership and corporate communication failures of 2025

Reviewing the past year might include looking at failures in leadership, business, company management and PR. Here are some major mishaps in leadership in 2025 and lessons to be learnt for the upcoming year.

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McDonald’s AI advert

At the end of 2025, McDonald’s released a Christmas themed advertisement created by AI. As INC.com reports, this failed effort faced significant criticism from both customers and marketing experts due to its emptiness and mechanical feel. The lesson here is not to underestimate the human touch and authenticity, and to respect public scepticism toward AI generated content.

Nestlé and greenwashing

In 2025, Nestlé faced criticism for greenwashing, namely boasting of their environmental responsibility in a manner which did not correspond to reality, when it was revealed in the media that Nestlé was still using large amounts of plastic. The company only responded with general and vague statements. The lesson is clear: if you proclaim certain values, you must uphold them; otherwise, the result could be a dramatic decline in your credibility.

Meta Connect 2025

At this annual technology conference, Meta presents its new products. In 2025, CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased AI powered smart Rayban glasses. However, the presentation was far from perfect, containing numerous errors and malfunctions. Overall it was a PR disaster, highlighting the fact that when presenting the results of your team’s work, you need to ensure the product functions properly and you genuinely stand behind your achievements.



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