Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast

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Aug 2026

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A panel of industry experts discuss the issues the latest news and hot topics you need to know in PR and communications. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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August 20, 202633 min

‘I set off the fire alarm to stop a media interview – am I the PR a***hole?’

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. <a href="https://surveys.haymarket.com/s3/Am-I-the-PR-A-hole-Ask-us-here" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Confessions can be submitted via this link.</a> Download the podcast via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform. This week’s confessions include: <ul><li>Asking a colleague to trigger the fire alarm to halt a damaging media interview.</li><li>In a PR job interview, questioning the interviewer who asked if nursery drop-offs would prevent her getting to work on time.</li><li>Manipulating AI to appear in AI search as the “best-dressed PR practitioner in the UK”.</li><li> </li></ul>The episode is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

August 13, 202639 min

What’s going on in travel PR? Two experts throw new light on a transforming discipline

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 <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, 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. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

August 6, 202639 min

FleishmanHillard UK chief: agencies must transform commercially

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 <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen on your favourite platform. In this week’s episode, Marshall Manson speaks to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington shortly after <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1947835/golin-ketchum-merge-omnicom-restructures-pr-arm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sister agency Porter Novelli integrated into FleishmanHillard</a> 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 <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1966543/fleishmanhillard-uk-undergoes-radical-creative-transformation-%E2%80%93-ceo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">transforming its approach to creativity</a>. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

July 30, 202637 min

‘I blacklisted a rude journo – am I the PR a***hole?’

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.  <a href="https://surveys.haymarket.com/s3/Am-I-the-PR-A-hole-Ask-us-here" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Confessions can be submitted via this link.</a> Download the podcast via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen on your favourite platform.  This week’s confessions include: <ul><li>Permanently blacklisting a rude journalist</li><li>Blanking the person who effectively replaced their job after returning from maternity leave</li><li>(Almost) outing their agency employer for threatening to freeze staff pay over baseless claims of stealing electronic equipment.</li></ul> The episode is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

July 23, 202653 min

The biggest risks facing corporate affairs – PRWeek/In.Comms podcast, with BT and Deloitte

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 <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen on your favourite platform. This week’s podcast follows the publication last month of a <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1961548/modernise-downgraded-communications-utility-corporate-affairs-warned" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">report from Deloitte</a> 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. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

July 16, 202633 min

Golin Ketchum UK chief: ‘the work starts now’

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 <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, 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. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

July 8, 202635 min

Should PR ditch phone calls? Gen-Z pros debate

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 <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, 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 <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1959850/meet-prweek-people-stars-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">People Stars</a> 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. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

June 26, 202622 min

Cannes: where are the UK indie winners?

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 <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, 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 <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1962710/burson-vml-win-cannes-lions-pr-grand-prix-pr-firms-triumph" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‘The KitKat Heist’ by VML and Burson won the prestigious Grand Prix in the category</a>. 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. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

June 24, 202628 min

‘I gave honest feedback to a colleague and they cried’ – Am I the PR A***hole?

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 <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen on your favourite platform. This week’s confessions include: <ul><li>Making a colleague cry (and being pulled up) after giving honest feedback.</li><li>Making a group of pensioners sit in a cordoned-off area for hours for a PR stunt.</li><li>Purposely avoiding work but getting promoted anyway.</li><li> </li></ul>The episode is hosted by PRWeek UK editor John Harrington. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

June 19, 202615 min

Lord Heseltine: "You’re just playing in toy town”

Lord Heseltine tells the story of the birth of the European Space Agency. Why post-Apollo, when the US was spending £1.2 billion a year on space, the whole of Europe was spending just £200 million. Why the birth of ESA was driven by the self-interest of three major countries. Why the US general with a $29 billion budget for the Star Wars project wanted to invest in Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Why, the idea that Britain could compete alone with the technologies that were accumulated and available to the American capitalist system was “simply laughable”. Why “being European is not selling out British interests”. And why Margaret Thatcher told him: “If you want to get on and put your budget into this, you can, but you're not getting any of mine."  Join Alice and Lord Heseltine as they pick apart the negotiating contrivances and the wheeling and dealing to circumnavigate “turkeys not voting for Christmas” that ultimately put European space on the map. Contributors:Alice Bunn, President of UKspace <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-alice-bunn-obe-fimeche-fraes-ceng-3b5141/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukspace/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn</a> Lord Heseltine, Member of the House of Lords Key topics covered: <ul><li>Creation of the European Space Agency (ESA)</li><li>US "Star Wars" program and brain drain</li><li>Geopolitical case for European R&D collaboration</li><li>Impact of Brexit on science and technology</li></ul> <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.