Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast

Episodes

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  ‘Big agencies need to be on their guard’ – PRWeek UK Awards podcast 28.10.2026 21m

  What do the winners of the recent PRWeek UK Awards tell us about industry trends in 2026? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.In the podcast, PRWeek UK journalists Danny Rogers (editor-in-chief), Siobhan Holt (deputy editor) and Evie Barrett (deputy news editor) chat about the awards night, which took place last week (21 October) in London.They discuss the winners, specifically the rise in campaigns hitting back at ‘big tech’, and the other key themes among the winning agencies this year.They also reflect on the industry and the reasons behind the rise in winning entries from smaller, independent agencies versus the network agency groups. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Swearing, pocket dialling, wet trousers… ‘Am I the PR a***hole?’ podcast 21.10.2026 31m

  PRWeek looks at more of your comms confessions in the latest episode of the ‘Am I the PR A***hole?’ (AITPRA) podcast.In each episode of AITPRA, PRWeek will read out your anonymous confessions and our judges – Lynn Advisory founder Shayoni Lynn and Hoffman Agency UK co-MD Richard Fogg – will decide whether an ethical line has been crossed.Confessions can be submitted via this link. All the confessions are totally anonymous – PRWeek has no way of identifying the confessor.Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.This week’s confessions include:Swearing about a journalist when the journalist could hear.Swearing at a Eurostar employee after missing a train to a press conference – then blaming journalists for the event starting late.Not standing up to shake a client’s hand because the confessor was not wearing trousers.The episode is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  PR’s ‘depressing’ recruitment market – PRWeek podcast 15.10.2026 41m

  How do you recruit comms and PR professionals in the AI age? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.On this week’s Beyond the Noise podcast, Don Ferguson, managing director of creative comms agency Hope&Glory (pictured above, left), and Laura Oliphant, founder of comms consultancy Stand (above, right), share their insights on the recruitment market. Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.In the episode, Ferguson and Oliphant discuss the specialisms and current roles they have been recruiting for. The pair share their overall view of the current recruitment market in comms. In addition, the comms chiefs consider candidate applications and explain how AI technology is impacting the hiring process. They also comment on the rise in AI-created CVs and cover letters, as well as offer advice to candidates on how to approach a job interview in PR. Separately, the best way to proactively reach potential employees is also discussed on this week’s episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Romans: how to ‘get big without getting boring’ 08.10.2026 33m

  The Romans’ chief executive, Joe Mackay-Sinclair, discusses the past, present and future of the fast-growing agency on PRWeek’s latest podcast episode.Mackay-Sinclair joins PRWeek UK editor John Harrington as this week’s guest on Beyond the Noise.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. As PRWeek previously reported, Mackay-Sinclair discusses potential new overseas markets for The Romans, which currently has offices in London, New York, Dubai, Amsterdam and Berlin. He also reveals his ‘big bets’ for growth at the firm, which is backed by the global ad agency Mother.Other topics covered include:How business is “more hard-fought than it’s ever been”How client expectations are shifting (and how they aren’t)Recruitment as the agency’s biggest challengeWhat he wants from new hiresThe importance of the corporate offerHow agencies would be “crazy” not to have a dedicated sports offeringThe Romans’ approach to AI and GEOPR firms he admiresHow agencies could get better at articulating what they doRunning an (arguably) ‘Marmite’ agencyRunning an agency as a “social introvert”The importance of face-to-face connectionsInvesting in start-up agenciesBeing the “energy bunny” for The RomansHis personal ambitions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Tim Peake: "Put a human and our best robot with AI on Mars today... and a human will still do more." 02.10.2026 28m

  What is the true balance between human spaceflight and robotic exploration when it comes to science, inspiration, and decision-making capabilities? How is space transitioning from a niche frontier to an everyday commercial workplace? What role do regulatory frameworks, such as the United Nations, the Artemis Accords, and the Astra Carta, play in keeping orbit and the lunar surface safe and sustainable? And how can the UK Government act as an "anchor customer" to bridge the commercial "valley of death" for domestic space startups?Join Alice and Jonners in this special episode recorded in Chichester Marina with British astronaut Tim Peake as he shares insights on space adaptation syndrome, commercial space stations, lunar research bases, global space traffic management, and the future of human exploration to Mars.Contributors:Alice Bunn, President of UKspaceDr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedInUKspace: Overview | LinkedInJonathan Davies, The Karman LineJonathan Davies | LinkedInThe Karman Line | LinkedInTim Peake, AstronautTim Peake | LinkedInKey topics covered:Human spaceflight vs. robotic explorationSpace Adaptation Syndrome (nausea & gravity adjustment)Normalising space as a commercial workplaceTransition from space stations to commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO)Artemis programme & sustainable lunar research basesAstronaut selection mindsets, psychological profiles, and stress testingInternational space cooperation & soft power (ISS legacy)Governance, leaseholds, and regulatory frameworks on the MoonThe Astra Carta & space sustainabilityHuman exploration of MarsGovernment as “anchor customers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How to pitch to clients: Ministry of Justice 01.10.2026 39m

  What do clients really want, and not want, from agencies? That’s the focus of the latest PRWeek podcast, featuring Emily Vickers, strategic comms lead at the Ministry of Justice.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Speaking to PRWeek deputy editor Siobhan Holt, Vickers offers some dos and don’ts of client/agency partnerships and discusses the role of procurement.She chats about the skills she values the most from agency execs and offers advice on working with public sector organisations.Elsewhere, the comms professional discusses regional communications and shares top tips for professionals considering a role in government or public sector comms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ‘I lied about a car crash after a client bailed on a press briefing - am I the PR a***hole?’ 23.09.2026 32m

  PRWeek looks at more of your comms confessions in the latest episode of the ‘Am I the PR A***hole?’ (AITPRA) podcast. In each episode of AITPRA, PRWeek will read out your anonymous confessions and our judges – Lynn Advisory founder Shayoni Lynn and Hoffman Agency UK co-MD Richard Fogg – will decide whether an ethical line has been crossed.Confessions can be submitted via this link.Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.This week’s confessions include:Inventing a story about a car crash to cover for a client pulling out of a media briefing.Resigning an account after the client behaved appallingly - but without the authority to do so.Messing with colleagues in a team bonding session of ‘guess who from the baby photo'.The episode is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  VCCP Roar bosses: how to manage a PR agency merger 18.09.2026 33m

  How do you merge PR and communications agencies? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.On this week’s Beyond the Noise podcast, VCCP Roar chief executive Stephanie Brimacombe (pictured above, left) and VCCP founding partner and group chairman Charles Vallance (above, right) share their strategies on merging PR agencies.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Nine months after the launch of VCCP Roar, the product of the merger of sister PR agencies Good Relations, Harvard and Teamspirit, the duo sit down with PRWeek reporter Elizabeth Wiredu to discuss the process. Together, Brimacombe and Vallance explain how they united three specialised agencies spanning consumer, corporate, tech and financial PR services. They discuss the reasons behind the merger, what the biggest challenges were in the process and how they overcame them, and how to maintain agency culture at VCCP Roar. They also chat about the agency’s recent Starbucks account win. Elsewhere in the episode, legendary adman Vallance discusses the rivalry between the advertising and PR sectors and argues that the PR sector is in a strong position in the current market compared to other disciplines, such as advertising. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  TUI and The Remarkables: ‘Don’t overcomplicate GEO’ 10.09.2026 33m

  TUI’s comms boss, and the chief of the agency handling the travel firm’s GEO, are the guests on this week’s Beyond the Noise podcast.Amy Dowling, head of communications at TUI; and Kerry Parkin, founder and CEO of The Remarkables, discuss the latest on GEO and how it continues to disrupt the comms world.It comes as brands continue to appoint PR agencies for AI discovery briefs; Nationwide and Dishoom have done so in recent weeks. One of the first announcements of this kind came in July, when travel brand TUI enlisted The Remarkables to help boost its AI visibility.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Dowling discusses why TUI partnered with The Remarkables, and what pitfalls other agencies may be falling into when offering GEO services to brands.Meanwhile, Parkin gives tips for businesses looking to implement a GEO strategy, explaining why she believes PR should take full ownership of the discipline.The pair share their view that it is not necessary to “buy into the technicalities” of AI in order to increase your visibility, warning PR teams to “try not to get bamboozled”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ents PR is ‘moving away from coverage’ 03.09.2026 41m

  Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.This week we hear how entertainment PR is evolving, with mainstream press coverage no longer being the top priority in many cases.Gaby Jerrard, who runs entertainment and comedy specialist firm Gaby Jerrard PR, recounts working on campaigns for satirical political candidate Count Binface and controversial figure Amanda Knox within the span of a few weeks.Meanwhile, Lawrence Francis discusses the impact of streaming on the work of Premier, which handles global PR and brand partnerships for some of the biggest film, TV and entertainment franchises in the world.Our guests discuss how to reach fandoms in unconventional ways, particularly on social media – where niches such as ‘BookTok’ are now flourishing.Elsewhere, the pair speak on ‘cancel culture’, and how public figures can best avoid ‘culture war’ narratives while promoting their work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Good Housekeeping: ‘We’re not turning our journalists into influencers’ 26.08.2026 56m

  PRWeek gets the lowdown on changes at Good Housekeeping in the latest instalment of the Future of the Media series.Recorded in July and available now on PRWeek’s podcast feed, the episode sees PRWeek UK editor John Harrington speak to Jane Bruton (Good Housekeeping UK editor-in-chief) and Liz Settle (MD of Good Housekeeping and the Good Housekeeping Institute).The guests discuss structural overhaul in editorial and how the department works with commercial.The shift to “75 per cent digital, 25 per cent print” is explained, as is the greater use of video. Our guests talk about how communications is getting “more sophisticated”, and how they like to work with PR professionals.Speaking from the Good Housekeeping Kitchen in Hearst’s central London office, other topics covered include ‘wising up’ to clickbait; membership models; target demographics; the downside of AI; and imbuing a “culture of impatience”. The guests predict what might lie ahead for Good Housekeeping, and for publishing in general. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ‘I set off the fire alarm to stop a media interview – am I the PR a***hole?’ 20.08.2026 33m

  PRWeek delves into more of your comms confessions in the latest episode of the ‘Am I the PR A***hole?’ (AITPRA) podcast. In each episode of AITPRA, PRWeek will read out your anonymous confessions and our judges – Lynn Advisory founder Shayoni Lynn and Hoffman Agency UK co-MD Richard Fogg – will decide whether an ethical line has been crossed.Confessions can be submitted via this link.Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.This week’s confessions include:Asking a colleague to trigger the fire alarm to halt a damaging media interview.In a PR job interview, questioning the interviewer who asked if nursery drop-offs would prevent her getting to work on time.Manipulating AI to appear in AI search as the “best-dressed PR practitioner in the UK”.The episode is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What’s going on in travel PR? Two experts throw new light on a transforming discipline 13.08.2026 39m

  In this week’s episode PRWeek editor-in-chief Danny Rogers is joined by Paul Charles, former Virgin Atlantic comms director and founder of The PC Agency, and Jules Ugo, former boss of Lotus and now founder of Palma & Partners, to discuss the changing ways in which travel and tourism are communicated and marketed.Beyond the Noise examines some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.There has been a spate of high-level departures from generalist PR consultancies with travel divisions, and some new start-ups such as Ugo’s Palma & Partners, which means the face of classic travel comms now looks different. Why is it that only specialist travel consultancies such as The PC Agency and luxury hospitality specialists such as Bacchus or Perowne International seem to thriving in this new environment?The podcast discusses trends in agency business models, the growing need to be international, which sectors of the travel sector are currently buoyant and the huge impact of AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  FleishmanHillard UK chief: agencies must transform commercially 06.08.2026 39m

  FleishmanHillard UK CEO Marshall Manson discusses his plans for the Omnicom agency and challenges the industry on how it must change, in PRWeek’s latest podcast.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.In this week’s episode, Marshall Manson speaks to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington shortly after sister agency Porter Novelli integrated into FleishmanHillard amid wider changes at owner Omnicom, following its merger with IPG late last year.The FleishmanHillard UK chief executive discusses the background to the Porter Novelli move, how he’s been “blown away” by the agency, and how the teams have been working together.Manson reveals his three-year vision for FleishmanHillard in the UK, including how the agency has been using AI.He discusses how agencies need to change in the “fragmented” media landscape, and why they should adapt their commercial models. The comms leader also explains how FleishmanHillard has been transforming its approach to creativity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ‘I blacklisted a rude journo – am I the PR a***hole?’ 30.07.2026 37m

  PRWeek runs the rule over more of your confessions in the latest episode of the ‘Am I the PR A***hole?’ (AITPRA) podcast. In each episode of AITPRA, PRWeek will read out your anonymous confessions and our judges – Lynn Advisory founder Shayoni Lynn and Hoffman Agency UK co-MD Richard Fogg – will decide whether an ethical line has been crossed. Confessions can be submitted via this link.Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. This week’s confessions include:Permanently blacklisting a rude journalistBlanking the person who effectively replaced their job after returning from maternity leave(Almost) outing their agency employer for threatening to freeze staff pay over baseless claims of stealing electronic equipment.The episode is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The biggest risks facing corporate affairs – PRWeek/In.Comms podcast, with BT and Deloitte 23.07.2026 53m

  How has corporate affairs been changing, and what’s the future for the function? A new podcast from PRWeek and In.Comms takes a look.Our guests this week are Mark Hutcheon, a director in Deloitte who leads the firm's Corporate Affairs Advisory practice, and Leslie McGibbon, chief corporate affairs and brand officer at BT.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.This week’s podcast follows the publication last month of a report from Deloitte that looks at the main changes in corporate affairs in recent years and what we can expect by 2030.The duo discuss the “structural reset” of the function, looking at how remits and expectations have shifted.They talk about the impact of AI on team structures and requirements, and agency relationships. ESG and measurement are also discussed, and our guests examine the ‘two futures’ for corporate affairs.This is the first joint podcast between PRWeek and In.Comms. Its hosts are PRWeek UK editor John Harrington and In.Comms editor Claire Warren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Golin Ketchum UK chief: ‘the work starts now’ 16.07.2026 33m

  How has the Golin-Ketchum merger fared in the UK? We hear first-hand in PRWeek’s latest podcast, which features our guest Ondine Whittington, president of Golin Ketchum and Virgo Health London.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.On the latest episode, Ondine Whittington discusses the challenges of merging Golin and Ketchum to form the new agency, including helping to create a unified culture.She describes how clients have responded to the merger and addresses questions of client conflicts, redundancies and her priorities for the months ahead.Speaking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, the former Golin London chief talks about the reasons behind bringing back creative shop Brooklyn Brothers in London, and speaks about how it will work alongside Golin Ketchum in the UK.Whittington also reflects on the biggest lessons from Cannes Lions this year. And she gives her take on major industry issues, including current trading, shifting client needs and pitching. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Should PR ditch phone calls? Gen-Z pros debate 08.07.2026 35m

  A pair of young PR stars are guests on this week’s Beyond the Noise podcast, discussing AI, office attendance, navigating LinkedIn and more.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.This week, we hear from Chris Maho, account manager at The Romans, and Holly Ryan, account director at WA Communications – both of whom were shortlisted as People Stars in PRWeek’s People and Places Awards last month.In conversation with PRWeek UK deputy news editor Evie Barrett, the pair speak about targeting Gen Z as a demographic, whether they think comms has an ageism problem, and using social media to boost your professional profile.Elsewhere, they address the stereotypes that young comms professionals dislike phone calls, and that social events in PR are becoming less alcohol-centric. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Cannes: where are the UK indie winners? 26.06.2026 22m

  What were the biggest lessons and talking points from Cannes Lions 2026? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform. Joining this episode are PRWeek trio Danny Rogers (editor-in-chief), John Harrington (UK editor) and Siobhan Holt (deputy editor).They discuss the big trends from the PR Lions in particular this year, and discuss why ‘The KitKat Heist’ by VML and Burson won the prestigious Grand Prix in the category.The journalists talk about some of their favourite winners and what they tell us about campaigns today – including trends with purpose, humour and AI.They also ask why smaller UK independents were largely absent from the awards in 2026, despite many still attending the event on the French Riviera. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ‘I gave honest feedback to a colleague and they cried’ – Am I the PR A***hole? 24.06.2026 28m

  We put more of your confessions under the spotlight in the latest episode of PRWeek’s ‘Am I the PR A***hole?’ (AITPRA) podcast.In each episode of AITPRA, PRWeek will read out your anonymous confessions and our judges – Lynn Advisory founder Shayoni Lynn and Hoffman Agency UK co-MD Richard Fogg – will decide whether an ethical line has been crossed. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.This week’s confessions include:Making a colleague cry (and being pulled up) after giving honest feedback.Making a group of pensioners sit in a cordoned-off area for hours for a PR stunt.Purposely avoiding work but getting promoted anyway.The episode is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.