Hey there!

Welcome back to Pitch Point — your no-BS guide to using PR for real impact. Every edition, we break down a case study to show how strategic comms can tackle big challenges and drive growth.

This time, we’re looking at Flipper Zero — a famous portable gamified multi-tool for hardware geeks — and how it fought back when Canada tried to ban it.

Let’s get into it! ⬇️

🎙️ On the go? We’ve got you. Hit play to listen to this case instead of reading it. Perfect for your walk, commute, or coffee break.

Case: Fighting a Government Ban with PR

Startups and governments don’t always see eye to eye. Sometimes, regulations protect consumers. Other times, they completely misunderstand a product and put businesses at risk.

That’s what happened when Canada announced a ban on Flipper Zero, claiming it could be used to steal cars. Officials wanted to block imports and sales to prevent theft.

The problem? Flipper Zero isn’t a car theft tool and the real car theft problem comes from much more powerful devices used by organized criminals.

Flipper had two options:
🚫 Accept the ban and hope for the best
✅ Push back and change the narrative

We pushed back. And it worked. Canada is now walking back the full ban, shifting focus to actual misuse instead.

Here’s how we made it happen.

Step 1: Control The Narrative

Governments rarely reverse course unless they feel pressure. We got ahead of the story and framed the ban as misguided and ineffective:

• We advised the company to take the adult-in-the-room approach: calm, factual, and firm. The response corrected the record without escalating. That tone resonated: the post went viral, with thousands of likes and strong community support.

• We launched a petition. This wasn’t just about signatures — it was about gathering public support and showing policymakers that people were against the ban.

• We clarified the facts. The company published a blog post explaining why Flipper Zero isn’t a security threat and how modern car theft actually works.

• We engaged with the media. Instead of letting officials dominate the conversation, Flipper Devices actively responded to journalists and provided expert sources to counter the claims.

If you’re facing crisis or pressure — from skeptics, regulators, or headlines — don’t let others define the story. Take charge of the message.

Step 2: Leverage Expert Voices

Policymakers don’t always listen to companies — but they do listen to industry experts:

• We got security researchers to speak out. Third-party experts explained why banning Flipper Zero wouldn’t solve the car theft problem.

• We reached out to international NGOs and local activists, securing their public support. They featured us in their materials, helped spread the petition, and pushed for open discussions.

• With experts, we used data to support the case. We highlighted how no documented car thefts had been linked to their device.

• After all, we shifted focus to real security threats. We pointed out that if the government truly wanted to stop car thefts, they should regulate vulnerable keyless entry systems instead.

When you're under fire, don’t just say “we’re not the problem.” Show what the real problem is — and bring in credible voices to back you up.

Step 3: Keep the Pressure On

After the initial media wave, Flipper Devices didn’t go silent. We kept pushing, ensuring the issue stayed on the radar:

• We followed up with journalists. We made sure the evolving story was covered, keeping pressure on policymakers.

• We reached out to Canadian government representatives, proposing an open discussion to find a solution that balances public safety with innovation. Our goal was to protect similar research tools from future restrictions through open dialogue.

• We kept their community engaged. By regularly updating users on social media, we ensured ongoing public support.

And it worked. Canada walked back the full ban, shifting to a more nuanced approach targeting actual misuse.

The Impact

Flipper Zero stopped a potential ban in Canada that could have wiped out their sales. We shifted the narrative, showing the device as a legitimate security tool rather than a hacking gadget. 

But this wasn’t just about Canada. By taking control of the story and rallying the community, we made sure this case didn’t set a dangerous precedent elsewhere.

In the end, the fight only made the brand stronger — building loyalty, boosting popularity, and even driving more sales.

Takeaway for Founders

If your product’s under fire — from press, users, or anyone in between — smart PR can help you fight back. 

Get ahead of the narrative before misinformation spreads, bring in trusted experts to back you up, and stay consistent until the tide turns.

Want Results Like This? Let’s Talk!

This month, we’re offering three free 30-minute PR strategy sessions for founders facing regulatory or reputational challenges.

If you need to:
✅ Get ahead of a policy threat
✅ Build credibility in a tough industry
✅ Use media to turn challenges into opportunities

Email [email protected]  or [email protected]  to grab a spot — only 2 left until August! 🚀

Thanks for Reading!

That’s it for this edition of Pitch Point! Got thoughts or ideas for future cases? Hit us up at [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you.

Not into the newsletter? You can unsubscribe below. Otherwise, catch you next time!

Aleksandra from MA Family