Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast

Does PR have a class problem? That’s just one of the topics examined in PRWeek’s latest Noise in Brief podcast. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. This week’s edition is hosted by PRWeek UK news editor Siobhan Holt alongside reporters Evie Barrett and Elizabeth Wiredu. The team discuss the newly launched ‘working class’ PR agency and overall class diversity in the industry. Elsewhere, the journalists chat about a comment piece by Liam Thompson from the Rosely Group who argued that "Boycotting oil and gas is bad PR". The trio debate if boycotting is the right response and what this could mean for comms. The journalists also analyse Co-op Live’s communications crisis and chat about the reputational impact it could have on the brands and businesses involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The editorial team discusses the PRWeek UK Top 150 PR Consultancies Report in the latest episode of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast. Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. In this week’s episode, UK editor John Harrington is joined by news editor Siobhan Holt and reporters Evie Barrett and Elizabeth Wiredu to discuss PRWeek UK’s Top 150 PR Consultancies Report, the long-running definitive report on the industry. In the podcast, the journalists explain how the survey and project is conducted, and give insights into this year’s Top 150 table. Each member of the team also offers detailed analysis on different trends identified from the Top 150 data, ranging from client demands and pitching to mergers and acquisitions. To access PRWeek UK’s Top 150 Consultancies 2024 in full – click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. This week’s edition is hosted by PRWeek UK news editor Siobhan Holt alongside UK editor John Harrington and reporter Eliza Wiredu. In this week’s episode, the team discuss the publicity around the launch of Taylor Swift’s latest album and asks if the American singer-songwriter is a PR genius. Elsewhere, the journalists chat about the recent acceleration in mergers and acquisitions following Buchanan’s announcement to become part of its sister agency, Burson, when the agency giant launches in July; plus Unity’s merger into Greentarget. The trio analyse what this could mean for comms and marketing businesses. Separately, the team question what minority investments could mean for the industry following the news that a US firm is investing in London agency, Williams Nicholson. The journalists also pick their favourite winners from the PRWeek UK Corporate Affairs Awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PR consultant Mark Borkovski discusses culture wars in the latest episode of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast. Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. Joining the podcast this week is PR consultant, author and popular public speaker Mark Borkowski. A regular in PRWeek’s Power Book, he is the founder of his eponymous PR agency Borkowski, which has successfully delivered publicity, communications and crisis management campaigns for over 30 years. Speaking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington and news editor Siobhan Holt, Borkowski discusses how to navigate ‘culture wars’. There has been a spate of high-profile incidents by brands recently, from Bud Light’s missteps in handling the aftermath of its partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney last year to Nike’s England men’s football kit featuring what the brand described as a ‘playful’ version of the St George’s Cross on the collar. In this episode, Borkowski talks about the challenges associated with ‘culture wars’ and considers the recent examples in the news. He reflects on how the changing media landscape is affecting the situation. We also hear his insight on avoiding controversy and backlash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is trading on the up? That’s just one of the topics examined in PRWeek’s latest Noise in Brief podcast. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. This week’s edition is hosted by PRWeek UK news editor Siobhan Holt and features UK editor John Harrington and reporter Evie Barrett. In the podcast, the team discuss the most recent PRWeek UK Top 150 Monthly Trading Tracker, which surveys UK PR agencies on trading in the past month. Elsewhere, the trio chat about the recent news that Scottish Labour has criticised the Scottish Government for its comms bill for health and social care, and explore how the PR and comms industry can justify its value to the general public. And the journalist also discuss Brazen PR’s ‘Mind the Gap’ report, which asks if it’s time for brand marketers to burst the London PR bubble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI experts from Hill & Knowlton and MSL reveal what their agencies have been doing to keep on top of AI in the latest episode of PRWeek's Beyond the Noise podcast. Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. Joining the podcast this week are Allison Spray, global head of intel and tech innovation at Hill & Knowlton; and Natasha Torres-Coote, account manager at MSL and one of the driving forces behind the agency’s AI strategy. Spray, a leading AI expert at H&K and parent company WPP, appeared on Beyond the Noise almost one year ago to talk about trends in AI at that point. On this week's episode, she and Torres-Coote discuss what has been done in the intervening months and how AI is being adopted at the agencies. The role of the technology in countering mis- and disinformation for clients, and its use in creative campaigns and PR measurement, are among the topics discussed. Speaking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, Spray and Torres-Coote reveal the most common questions from employees on AI, what kind of training is being provided, and whether staff are really concerned about their jobs. We also hear what clients are saying about AI. Finally, the duo give their view of what may lie ahead for the technology and how it may affect comms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What explains the recent exodus of agency bosses? That's one topic examined in PRWeek's latest Noise in Brief podcast. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or on your favourite platform. This week’s edition is hosted by PRWeek UK news editor Siobhan Holt and features UK editor John Harrington and reporter Evie Barrett. Recent weeks have brought news of a number of senior agency figures announce their departures, a trend examined in a recent PRWeek article. The PRWeek team discuss why it may happening now, looking at issues such as the challenging trading conditions, burnout and the desire to try something new. Elsewhere, the recent controversy around Nike's new England shirt featuring a differently-coloured cross of St George is explored in the context of brands operating in the 'culture war' era. And the trio pick out some of their highlights from last week's PRWeek PharmaComms conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big themes and lessons from the 2024 PRWeek UK Power Book are examined in the latest episode of the Beyond the Noise podcast. The Power Book, which lists the most influential people working in UK communications today, went live earlier this month. Click here to access the coverage, including the 'top 10s' of PR professionals in different sectors. Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. This week's episode features PRWeek's Danny Rogers (editor-in-chief), John Harrington (UK editor) and Siobhan Holt (news editor). The trio discuss the background to the Power Book and how it has evolved since the first iteration back in 2007. They offer views on the individuals and organisations judged by Power Book members to be the best and worst comms performers over the past 12 months. PR leaders' favourite creative campaigns from 2023 are also discussed and we examine how prepared they feel for the AI era. Finally, the journalists discuss the selection process behind the Power Book and what it takes to be included each year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The royal photo sage, agency acquisitions and 'floating it down the Thames' - these topics are put under the microscope in the latest edition of PRWeek's Noise in Brief podcast. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform. This week’s edition is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington and features reporters Eliza Wiredu and Evie Barrett. The saga over the Princess of Wales' doctored Mother's Day photograph, and the subsequent statement from Kate following the backlash, continues to make headlines. As conspiracy theories and the rumour mill go into over-drive, the trio scrutinise how the crisis has been handled from a comms perspective and look at the wider lessons for the PR industry. With MHP Group's intriguing acquisition of creative agency Studio La Plage last week, PRWeek journalists ask why this kind of investment is proving popular for PR agencies. They also ask why the often-maligned 'float it down the Thames' PR stunt continues to be a campaign of choice for some brands and agencies, and debate the rights and wrongs of the trope in the AI age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does new PRCA guidance on client-agency relationships say, and will it make a difference? The latest episode of PRWeek's Beyond the Noise podcast takes a look. Our guest this week is James Crawford, MD at PR Agency One and a PRCA fellow who was among the people behind the trade body's updated Client Consultancy Partnership Charter. He is joined by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington and news editor Siobhan Holt. Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. The Charter, released last week, includes among other things a new section on AI, more on transparency and diversity, and a commitment aimed at curbing ‘idea theft’ by clients. Other parts are intended to tackle client 'ghosting' and the use of advertising value equivalents (AVEs) in PR measurement. Crawford discusses the background to the Charter, including some of the big trends in recent years that the updated document seeks to address, and talks about how it is intended to be used. He highlights some of the main changes in the updated version that clients and agencies alike should know about. Crawford also addresses why the Charter does not tackle payment terms and responds to some criticism that parts of the language used is non-committal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do the recent agency and holding company results tell us about the state of the PR market? And what's happening with recruitment? PRWeek takes a look in the latest Noise in Brief podcast. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen or on your favourite platform. This week’s edition is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington features reporters Eliza Wiredu and Evie Barrett. Recent weeks have seen most of the big listed holding companies - including WPP, FTI Consulting, Omnicom, IPG and Publicis - announce results for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the full year. Edelman also revealed its FY numbers last week. Read PRWeek's round-up here. The PRWeek trio pick out the biggest trends from the figures and look at how trading has changed so far in 2024. The state of the PR recruitment market is also put under the microscope following the publication of PRWeek's Recruitment Report last week. Among other things, the Report found the number of new PR jobs advertised dropped by around one third last year. It also looked at which job titles have been most in-demand - and which saw the biggest pay rises. Meanwhile, the journalists also look at recent trends in brand collaborations, and ask: what makes a good brand partnership? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do clients really want, and don't want, from agencies? That's the focus of the latest PRWeek podcast, featuring Andrew Roache, external affairs lead for the UK and Ireland at Mondelēz International. Roache, who has worked at Mondelēz International since 2022, discusses his role and how the Cadbury and Oreo owner works with different agencies. Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. Roache has seen both sides of the client/agency relationship. Prior to joining Mondelēz International, he worked at drinks giant Carlsberg and listed pub and restaurant group Mitchells & Butlers. Roache's agency-side experience includes stints at Red Consultancy and McCann. Speaking to PRWeek news editor Siobhan Holt and UK editor John Harrington, Roache offers some dos and don'ts of client pitching and discusses the role of procurement. He also gives advice on how to get on pitch lists in the first place. Roache speaks about the skills that he values the most from agency execs and addresses the importance of AI capabilities and regional expertise. The role of agencies in lobbying activity is also discussed. Elsewhere, the comms professional offers a glimpse behind the activities currently underway celebrating Cadbury's 200th anniversary. Click here to read PRWeek's interview with Roache from earlier this month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. This week’s edition is hosted by PRWeek UK news editor Siobhan Holt and features reporter Evie Barrett and PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. The trio discuss the major talking points behind recent industry hires, departures and promotions. They analyse promotions and departures at Burson (the new agency being formed from the merger of Hill & Knowlton and BCW) and Brunswick; and discuss whether law firm-owned agency Schillings Communications poses a real threat to big advisory firms. There’s also a look at the Super Bowl 2024 campaigns, and the team asks if purpose marketing has entered a new era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's happening to margins at PR agencies? And how can agencies be more profitable? PRWeek's latest podcast takes a look. Our guest on Beyond the Noise this week is Esther Carder, media specialist partner at accountancy and business advisory firm Moore Kingston Smith. Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform. Late last year Moore Kingston Smith published its Annual Survey that analyised Companies House data on 40 of the UK's biggest comms agencies. The research found that the UK's high inflation rate has severely dented 'real terms' fee income growth at major PR agencies, while profit margins have also dipped. Speaking to podcast host Frankie Oliver, the founder of New Society, and PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, Carder discusses the findings in more detail. She looks at some of the biggest trends in recent months given the changing rates of inflation and subsequent cost pressures. Carder offers advice to agencies about how to mitigate rising costs and become more profitable businesses. She stresses the need for "bravery", urging agency to "hold firm" on fee increases. Carder also offers predictions for the rest of 2024 and beyond. We also ask whether, given the recent squeeze on margins, PR firms are still attractive investment opportunities. Departure This will be Frankie Oliver's final appearance as host on Beyond the Noise. She is stepping down after 40-plus episodes and more than a year and a half. She explained: "I’ve so enjoyed hosting the PRWeek podcast for the last 18 months with John [Harrington, UK editor] and Danny [Rogers, editor-in-chief] and I hope our listeners have enjoyed it too. It’s been such a great experience and I’m really grateful to all the wonderful guests that have come on the show. "The time has come however for me to hand over the gauntlet as I shift New Society, the consultancy I set up to tackle the climate communications problem, into being a not-for-profit. We are winning really exciting philanthropic funding and I am therefore fully focusing all my time on delivering the critical campaigns we so urgently need in the world to drive rapid action on the climate crisis. I wish PRWeek the very best with the podcast and have no doubt the show will go from strength to strength." Harrington said: "Frankie has been a great host of Beyond the Noise since it launched back in May 2022, helping to steer its direction during another tumultuous period for the PR industry. "I'd like to offer a big thanks to Frankie for all her work. We wish her all the best with New Society and whatever else the future holds." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really lies behind WPP's decision to merge BCW and Hill & Knowlton? And will it succeed? The PRWeek team put the deal under the microscope in a special edition of the Noise in Brief podcast. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or on your favourite platform. This episode focuses on the bombshell news last week that BCW and Hill & Knowlton are joining forces to form a new agency called Burson. It will create what is believed to be the world's biggest PR agency. PRWeek editor-in-chief Danny Rogers, UK editor John Harrington and reporter Evie Barrett discuss the background to the move and the advantages, and challenges, of such a colossal merger. They talk about the financial challenges at WPP at the moment and how the group's recent performance, in its PR business and elsewhere, may have triggered the action. The trio also weigh up the pros and cons of choosing the Burson name and discuss what the move tells us more widely about the global PR market in 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arlo Brady, chief executive of Freuds, discusses Davos, trading predictions and more on PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast. Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or on your favourite platform. In this episode, Freuds chief executive Arlo Brady reflects on the biggest lessons from The World Economic Forum in Davos, which took place last week. Topics include ESG and ‘woke-washing’, AI, the reputation of ‘UK PLC’, and progress with Sustainable Development Goals. Brady, who has worked at Freuds for about 17 years, also discusses recent trends in trading at the famous agency and offers predictions for the year ahead. Brady is joined by regular host Frankie Oliver, the founder of New Society, and John Harrington, editor of PRWeek UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From client pitching to the Post Office, PRWeek's latest Noise in Brief podcast looks at major stories affecting the sector over the past week or so. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. This week's edition features PRWeek UK editor John Harrington alongside reporters Evie Barrett and Elizabeth Wiredu. The trio discuss the major talking points behind the Post Office/Horizon scandal, looking at the communications responses and the wider implications for reputation and crisis management. The findings of Edelman's latest Trust Barometer - which found growing unease and mistrust among many people around innovation - are debated. There's also a look at the backlash to the project from the campaign group Clean Creatives among others. The client/agency pitching process is discussed following a story last week in which an agency was invited to pitch as a "courtesy". Finally, with the trading numbers now in, we ask: which supermarket groups 'won' Christmas with their festive campaigns? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From client pitching to the Post Office, PRWeek's latest Noise in Brief podcast looks at major stories affecting the sector over the past week or so. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. This week's edition features PRWeek UK editor John Harrington alongside reporters Evie Barrett and Elizabeth Wiredu. The trio discuss the major talking points behind the Post Office/Horizon scandal, looking at the communications responses and the wider implications for reputation and crisis management. The findings of Edelman's latest Trust Barometer - which found growing unease and mistrust among many people around innovation - are debated. There's also a look at the backlash to the project from the campaign group Clean Creatives among others. The client/agency pitching process is discussed following a story last week in which an agency was invited to pitch as a "courtesy". Finally, with the trading numbers now in, we ask: which supermarket groups 'won' Christmas with their festive campaigns? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's in store for PR in 2024? That's the focus of the latest episode of Beyond the Noise, PRWeek's fortnightly podcast series. Gazing into their crystal balls are regular host Frankie Oliver, the founder of New Society, alongside PRWeek editor-in-chief Danny Rogers and UK editor John Harrington. PRWeek UK’s Beyond the Noise podcast, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform. The trio discuss how trading is likely to pan out for PR agencies in 2024 following a challenging 2023. They examine recent data from the PRWeek Top 150 Monthly Trading Tracker, which looks at whether agency leaders are upbeat about the next 12 months. The impact of the 'year of elections' on the industry is put under the microscope. The opportunities and challenges posed by AI are also scrutinised, and we ask: what's next for ESG and 'purpose'? They also look ahead to the 'summer of sport' and discuss what it means for comms and for the brands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of 2024, PRWeek news editor Siobhan Holt is joined by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington and reporters Evie Barrett and Elizabeth Wiredu. In this edition, the editorial team analyse the comms successes and failures that have hit the headlines in the New Year, plus the four journalists discuss what the PR industry should do more and less of in 2024. Noise in Brief – a shorter offshoot of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast – is released fortnightly and features PRWeek UK journalists discussing major issues from the previous seven days or so. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. Big themes and stories in comms from the past week are put under the microscope in the latest edition of Noise in Brief, PRWeek UK’s bite-sized podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.