If Miranda Priestly has to change, so does your brand’s PR strategy

By Katherine Rajadhran, Senior Account Executive, Aspectus Group

Using The Devil Wears Prada 2 as a lens, we explore how modern B2B PR must evolve alongside changing media dynamics, personal branding and the growing importance of authenticity and reputation management. 

The Devil Wears Prada has long been comfort viewing for those of us in communications: glossy, sharp, and just uncomfortable enough to hit close to home. With the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the story feels less like nostalgia and more like a mirror. 

The sequel places Miranda, Andy and Emily squarely in today’s media landscape that is defined by social platforms, shrinking newsrooms and shifting power dynamics. In doing so, it becomes a live case study in how PR, journalism and perception now collide, and how B2B PR strategy, media training and corporate communications have evolved in a digital-first world. 

For leaders in finance, energy and tech, that world matters. The way journalists work has changed. The way stories spread has changed. PR has changed. And that means the way you show up as a spokesperson has to change too. 

Crisis communications and reputation risk now live forever 

In the film, most crises are contained within Runway’s walls. In real life, especially in your sectors, almost nothing stays contained. An offhand remark about markets, a clumsy comment on climate or technology can be captured and amplified far beyond the original audience. 

That’s uncomfortable, but it’s reality.  

It also changes how we think about interviews. A “quick call” with a journalist is still on the record. The lines you use to explain a product, a compliance issue or a market view can and will be lifted into headlines and revisited later. That’s where media training for executives earns its keep. Media training in this context isn’t about scripting you but it’s about helping you understand where the red lines are, which topics are sensitive, and how to explain your position clearly without creating soundbites that will haunt you six months on. 

When one story can change everything 

Andy spends most of her time working on serious stories that barely register until she lands the elusive interview with Sasha Barnes, the reclusive ex‑wife of a Silicon Valley billionaire – a single piece that spikes clicks and reshapes how she is seen, securing her place at Runway over the long term.  

For B2B leaders, the lesson is to focus on telling the one story that crystallizes who you are, what you stand for, and why your perspective matters so that months or years from now, that’s the piece they associate with your name.  

Personal brands and corporate brands are tangled together  

In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Andy and Emily are exactly where you’d expect them to be in 2026 with their own platforms, LinkedIn followings, industry panels and plenty of space to tell their side of the story. They’re establishing their own brands and defining their presence. That’s already true in finance, energy and tech. Senior leaders and experts shape how the market sees a company through what they share on LinkedIn, in short videos, at conferences and in by-lined articles. A smart post breaking down a regulation change, a quick video on a new technology, or a thoughtful comment on a sector trend can travel much further and feel much more authentic than a traditional press release. 

The opportunity is to treat this as an extension of your brand. When your leadership’s personal presence on LinkedIn and other platforms reinforces the same messages you’re sharing through media, campaigns and internal comms, your story becomes far more believable. You stop being just a logo and start sounding like real people who understand their space. 

The key is alignment. If what you say on stage, in interviews and online all pulls in the same direction, you build credibility over time. If your social posts, corporate messaging and day‑to‑day decisions don’t match, people notice the gaps very quickly. 

You can’t comms your way out of misalignment 

One of the most interesting things about The Devil Wears Prada 2 is that Miranda hasn’t magically become a different person but the world around her has changed, and she has to adjust just enough to survive in it. HR complaints mean she hangs up her own coat, biting comments get swallowed more often, and she can’t rely on fear alone to hold her position. The film makes it clear: even icons don’t get a free pass in a new era. 

It’s the same for B2B brands. You can’t market your way into being seen as sustainable, client‑centric or tech‑driven if your decisions point in a different direction. PR and communications can absolutely help you explain your strategy, share progress and have better conversations with media. What they can’t do is create trust when your actions keep sending the opposite signal. 

Most audiences will leave The Devil Wears Prada 2 talking about the outfits and the iconic Miranda moments. If you work in PR, you know better. You know the real plot twist is that even Miranda Priestly has to move with the times. And if she does, your brand doesn’t have much excuse not to. 

If this feels uncomfortably familiar, it might be time to revisit your PR and communication strategy. You can reach out to our team  here  to explore how we can help. 

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Key takeaways 

Why is media training more important for executives today than it was in the past?

Because interviews, comments and public appearances can quickly be shared online and taken out of context, executives need to know how to communicate clearly without creating reputational risks. 

What makes a brand story memorable in today’s crowded media landscape?

The most memorable brand stories are authentic, relevant and tied to a clear point of view that audiences can connect with over time.

How can companies ensure their leadership and corporate messaging stay aligned?

By creating consistent messaging across interviews, social media, internal communications and public appearances while ensuring company actions support those messages.

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About the author

Katherine Rajadhran is a Singapore-based Senior Account Executive and media specialist who helps finance and energy brands rethink how they show up in the press and online. When she’s not crafting PR strategies, she’s dissecting pop culture icons like Miranda Priestly and Taylor Swift, using their stories to unpack what modern leadership, reputation and storytelling really look like.