Anticipated to remain the top-grossing movie of 2023, Barbie has made its mark in the minds of people everywhere. Praised for its uplifting, realistic message told through a fantasy medium, the Barbie brand has once again proven its power over pop culture. As she manages a multitude of relatable crises throughout the film, there is plenty we can all learn from her approach and experiences.

Let’s take a look at two Barbie crises and what parallels may be drawn to how a company should best handle a crisis situation of its own.

Crisis #1: Barbie encounters challenges when she steps away from what she knows

The BarbieVerse is a world of extremes full of bright, fun and energetic elements that add to the appeal. However, as we learn in the movie, living in extremes is unsustainable and at times, exhausting. When Barbie leaves home to step foot in the real world, she finds it difficult to adjust and manage what the real world throws at her.

The same can happen in the business world when faced with a crisis. Remember BP CEO Tony Hayward after the 2010 tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? He too found it difficult to adjust when the real world came bearing down on him. Instead of moving forward with a thoughtful approach considering those around him, he became infamous for memorable, ill-conceived comments like “you know, I’d like my life back” and “It’s a very big ocean.”

Perspective and strategy are key when presented with a crisis. While business owners are not sitting in Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse, then forced into the real world when something goes wrong, such a scenario might not be far off. When crisis hits, remember to maintain perspective, assess the situation and develop a thoughtful plan. Think about how your company’s news will be received by the public and keep a level head.

Crisis #2:  Barbie loses her dreamhouse and her problems compound

Throughout the film, Barbie is challenged to overcome emotions and scenarios that have never existed in her world. From taking back her dreamhouse to taking on the real-world Barbie executives, she is tasked with managing crises that seemingly continue to build on each other.

Unfortunately, if a business owner fails to address a crisis at its start, it can fester and grow into an even bigger problem. Consider Will Smith’s Oscar slap. When Actor Will Smith slapped Comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards, it may have been wiser from a PR perspective for Smith and his team to take a step back and assess. They might have then opted to remove a clearly heated Smith from the situation and develop a carefully thought-out plan for developing positive messaging related to the incident. Instead, Smith went on with his evening. Some even say he appeared defensive in the comments he made while receiving the Oscar.

Again, business leaders in a crisis should take the time to assess their situation, consult with experts and ensure they consider the possible repercussions of their actions and how they might contribute to the greater solution or problem.

Crisis Take Aways

A summer blockbuster with a happy ending, Barbie ultimately found a way to manage her crises and move forward. Business leaders who want to ensure their company is prepared for a crisis should consider partnering with a public relations team that specializes in crisis communications. A good PR partner will encourage your business leaders to abide by these best practices in the event of a crisis:

• Assess the situation
• Make a short-term plan
• Identify a crisis response team and clearly define each member’s roles
• Create or implement media and social media crisis response protocols
• Consider your audiences in your messaging
• Tell the truth

The Barbie phenomenon has taken over our social media feeds. It is no secret that weaved into the layers of satire presented in the film, there are a world of lessons we can all learn from Barbie. While you might not be thinking “what would Barbie do?” when considering your company’s crisis communications plan, it may be time to consider a new perspective.