When It Hits the Fan

'Never complain, never explain.' Until recently, that could've been the unofficial motto for the Royal Family.

Not anymore.

David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss whether it was wise for Buckingham Palace to issue a statement in response to bombshell claims made in Earl Spencer's new book. Advisors closest to the King must have known it would pour rocket fuel on an already incendiary story - but would it have been even worse not to respond?

And sticking with statements, on the extended episode on BBC Sounds, Ed Sheeran. The singer is right in the middle of an enormous PR storm, over where he stands on the situation in Gaza. He's now said he's 'made mistakes and is so, so sorry', but as David and Farzana explain, whatever he does now won't be enough to appease everyone. So what is he supposed to do next?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

When an interviewer's first question is whether your product could kill all humans, you know it's serious.

This week, David Yelland and Lauren Beeching look at how the boss of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, handled himself following insider claims that AI could indeed wipe us all out.

As Amodei outlined the risks - and benefits - the vital thing to look at is the timing. With Anthropic preparingto sell its shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange, he needed to appeal to investors more than the general public. And explaining just how incredibly powerful your product is, is not necessarily a bad thing. Even if it could lead to the end of the world.

Also - the secret game being played behind-the-scenes when your client is given a right to reply. David and Lauren discuss what options you have - including how quickly to respond and how much or how little detail to give. And they explain how these days, you can be given as little as an hour to put your side, as publications try to stop people going on social media to control the narrative.

And it's never a good idea to get on the wrong side of a National Treasure. Sir Tom Jones has made it very clear he's not happy at being offered a reduced role on The Voice. He says ITV told him it was due to a 'financial difficulty with insurance'. With producers looking to 'refresh' the show, is everything as it seems?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It's a feeling, it's something you can't quite put your finger on - but you know it when you see it.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel are all about the vibes. The good ones. Whether it's at Downing Street or M&S, vibes have been one of the stories of the summer.

But good vibes aren't easy to manufacture, they often need intricate planning. And they also require risk, being bold and authenticity.

Plus, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, excuses. Nigel Farage says he 'wasn't listening' during a conversation with his former chief of staff and an undercover reporter discussing what appears to have been a scheme to funnel money to Reform UK.

As a defence, it may sound simple - but as David and Farzana explain, they're often the hardest ones to disprove. See also, 'I didn't read the email', 'my phone was hacked' and 'the dog ate it'. Whether you choose to believe someone's defence will rest on their 'residual reputation'.

And, following one of the most spectacular PR coups of the summer, who are the real winners after Meghan was rumoured to be starring in The Gentlemen? Was there a calculated plan to allow the story to snowball - and was Meghan's team wrong to allow a vacuum to build around the actual facts?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

If PR is all about weaving great stories, then the Bayeux Tapestry might just be the perfect example.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel celebrate the comms coup that was 1000 years in the making. The tapestry's arrival back in the UK was covered and celebrated in minute detail - with hype being generated from the most mundane details. The British Museum seems to have pulled off a public relations masterclass. But it comes as the museum is still battling to recover its reputation after a series of fan hitters.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, the resignation bombshell that's gone global. A Chinese project manager at Alibaba has quit - and she didn't just hand in a brief note explaining she'd serve her notice period. She wrote a 100 page tome that tore into her entire industry. Farzana and David discuss the reputational risks to both employer and employee.

Also, the noble art of dressing up and poking fun at someone. Count Binface has garnered coverage across the world as he prepares to stand in the Clacton by-election. He's just the latest in a long line of people who've used the absurd as a very effective - not to mention cheap - way of landing their point. And the tricky thing is, it's often very hard to counter.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Whether you're a multimillionaire or the son of a King, sometimes it can still feel like everyone is out to get you.

And so we turn to Nigel Farage and Prince Harry. Both are dealing with huge PR fallouts on which the dust is nowhere near settling.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss why even the most powerful people claim the whole world is against them. It's certainly a tried and tested PR tactic - painting yourself as the lone wolf, the outsider, you against the Establishment.

It can help create a useful diversion to what the actual story is - a reframing of the narrative to tell the story you want to tell, as opposed to the media.

It can illicit sympathy - but it can also just look like moaning.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Public life would be an awful lot easier if you never had to answer questions from pesky journalists.

Or would it?

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at Andy Burnham's decision to not take questions as he launched his vision for Britain, should he become the next Prime Minister.

Pumping out your message on your own terms might sound like the PR dream - but the rapidly changing nature of comms in the age of AI means if you try and bypass traditional media, your message might sink without trace.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, will they or won't they? Harry is due to visit the UK with Meghan and his children next week. The King had offered them a royal estate to stay at. But suddenly there's briefing and counter briefing and the whole trip is up in the air. If they do come, there are PR pitfalls for both sides at every turn.

Unlike Taylor Swift, whose PR seems pretty bulletproof. She's expected to get married this weekend - and she (and/or her PRs) are playing a blinder. Speculation and fan theory is running wild about the details and the venue. But as David and Farzana explain, there's a special kind of skill to this sort of rumour-mongering. Let's call it 'breadcrumbing'.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Declaring your tax isn't straightforward, as anyone's who ever filled out their own return will know.

King Charles probably has someone to help with the scraps of paper and receipts - but he'll still have to deal with a huge amount of scrutiny on becoming the first monarch to reveal their tax bill.

This week, David and Farzana discuss why King Charles is going public - and why it was announced almost a week before the details are released. Are the public being softened up with talk of 'transparency' and 'accountability'? They explain that framing the narrative before a story breaks means you have more chance of creating a cushioning effect.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, what's the PR takeout for Starbucks? The company's faced a huge backlash in South Korea after a marketing campaign seemingly referenced a historical military attack against pro-democracy protesters. How does something like that slip through the net? The finger of blame is being pointed at AI. But that only tells half the story.

And after a deeply damaging few weeks, David and Farzana assess how one very public figure is seeking to rebuild their shattered reputation. It's not been easy but Sesame Street's Elmo seems to be winning back a few hearts and minds after his failure to fully come out in support of his home city's basketball team.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

The public is against you, politicians are against you and the emotional argument has been well and truly lost.

Which is exactly where the likes of TikTok, Instagram and X find themselves following the Prime Minister's announcement that social media will be banned for under-16s.

It's being described by some as big tech's 'tobacco moment'.

This week, David and Farzana assess what these companies might do next - how can opinions be shifted, who can be used to make their case? And if stopping the ban outright is not the goal, what would success look like?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, bricks and mortar PR. Just why are the rich and powerful so obsessed with slapping their names on buildings? As David and Farzana explain, it's a bit like the elite class sending bat signals to one another - 'look how well I'm doing'.

Plus, Westminster Abbey's loss is very much Bridlington's gain. David Hockney turned down the offer of being buried alongside kings and queens. Instead, the artist opted for his final resting place to be the East Yorkshire seaside town, alongside his mother and sister. David and Farzana celebrate the wonderful reputational legacy he's left to Brid.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

When you're routinely described as a crackhead and convicted felon who uses sex workers, it's fair to say your reputation can't get much worse.

And so we turn to Hunter Biden. Often labelled the 'black sheep' of the Biden family and a man who's been torn apart in the media.

And yet, he is now being lauded (by some) for his attempts at reputational rehabilitation - including a blistering foray on X, where he's taken on his trolls head on. David and Farzana discuss whether going into the lions den is a smart PR move - and why, when you own your mistakes, use humour and honesty, you leave your critics with very little ammo.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, the multi-trillion dollar PR story being told right now. As Space X prepares to launch on the stock market (with Anthropic and OpenAI closely following behind), what moves are at play to try and get you to part with your cash?

Plus, why sitting on the fence can be a really bad PR move. Just ask Elmo from Sesame Street. Famously from The Big Apple, he's infuriated fans of the New York Knicks basketball team for posting a message saying he hopes 'both teams have fun' in the NBA finals.

As David and Farzana explain, he's guilty of 'bothsideism.' With the World Cup just around the corner, there's a lesson here for anyone in the public eye.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

When PR becomes the story, you know you're in trouble.

And that's where BP finds itself right now - as the dust begins to settle after a tumultuous week for the company.

David Yelland and Lauren Beeching unpick the drama - from the statement announcing the Chairman's shock sacking to the furious response from the man himself. They explain the PR mistakes made by both sides along the way - including creating a vacuum of information and, conversely, saying too much.

And after all is said and done, who is the winner of this PR war?

Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, we're sticking with sacking. The world of redundancies has changed forever. Companies are now hiring crisis PR firms to manage the moment someone gets fired - because at a time where the person losing their job might have half a million TikTok followers, the old HR playbook just doesn't cut it anymore.

And if you've been at the centre of a fan hitter, is it best to slink back to the shadows or try and stay firmly in the limelight? Rebekah Vardy's certainly taking the latter approach. Despite being publicly torn apart during the Wagatha Christie libel trial, she's now invited the cameras in for a new three-part ITV documentary. David and Lauren look at what this could mean for her reputation.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Ever felt like your boss doesn't quite hold you in the highest esteem?

Pity then, workers at Standard Chartered Bank. CEO Bill Winters described some of them as 'lower value human capital' during a speech to investors. His words came at a time when the bank is getting rid of thousands of positions and replacing them with AI.

David and Farzana look at what happens when you say the quiet thing out loud - and what the repercussions are if you get your PR response all kinds of wrong.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, are 'dark forces' really trying to tarnish the late Queen's reputation? Recent revelations about how she lobbied for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor to get a trade envoy job could be just the start of an attempt to gradually unpick her legacy.

Also, big shout out to the GC. That's Gemma Collins, mega-influencer and former star of The Only Way is Essex. The Department for Education is facing a huge backlash for using her to try and persuade young people to stay in education. David and Farzana explain that the use of influencers in politics is a growing thing - but just chasing their millions of followers doesn't guarantee success. There's an art to getting it right.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Not every product launch comes complete with tear gas, police dogs and angry crowds.

But those were the scenes at various cities around the world as a new Swatch went on sale.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss whether the chaos that surrounded the launch was PR heaven or hell. Advisors are paid handsomely to try and create such buzz - but can too much hype be a bad thing?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a PR path that is not well trodden. Because Pippa Middleton owns it and she doesn't want you anywhere near. The sister of the Princess of Wales is finding out being rich and famous is no use when it comes to matters of planning. It's all very public and trying to win over the locals is no easy matter.

Also, tall tales. The mysterious case involving President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China. They are, apparently, wildly different heights. But when seen side by side, they seemed to be exactly the same height. Are dark PR arts at play when trying to make the boss look dominant?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

There is an art to resigning.

Fall on your sword immediately and you might end up enhancing your reputation. Cling on for months in spite of overwhelming evidence you should quit - and the opposite can be true.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at whether the PR rules around resigning are changing. Has the tipping point moved in an age of fragmented media? Certainly the noise from the baying mob has never felt louder but if it's not laser-focused, does that make it easier to ignore?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, an AI confession. The CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, says he consults artificial intelligence when he has to make his biggest, most important decisions. Not just when he wants to draft an email.

Is this a bit of canny PR - proving he's a very modern CEO - or does he risk being accused of 'cognitive outsourcing?'

Also, Pope PR. From his choice of trainers to relatable tales of call centre hell, David and Farzana look at how it's often the small things that have been Pope Leo's biggest PR wins in his first year.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Finding the right words in a high-pressure situation is not easy - especially when the world is watching. But by common consensus, King Charles' speech to Congress was deemed pretty much pitch perfect.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel take you behind-the-scenes, into the writer's room. Who was involved in crafting the words, how did multiple people feed in and yet make it sound like a singular voice?

They explain why the speech worked for multiple audiences in today's 'fragment economy' - and how difficult themes were smuggled in or glossed over with a specific turn of phrase.

Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a similar message to the King's use of 'Keep Calm and Carry On'. As the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz continues, there's been a subtle shift in the Don't Panic messaging - both from government and business. As the ripples from the war look set to continue for many months, David and Farzana look at how we're being softened up for longer-term consequences.

And she's the Queen of Country - and it seems, the Queen of PR. Dolly Parton has managed that rare thing - to let her fans down while making them love her even more. She's had to cancel her Las Vegas residency due to ill health, but her video message explaining her decision was pitch perfect.

David and Farzana explain that authenticity is the key - as well as having a lifetime of goodwill to fall back on.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

There are jobs and there are jobs. And then there are jobs like being head of the FBI.

So when you're in that role and get accused of excessive drinking and unexplained absences from duty, the reputational risk is huge.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at how Kash Patel has handled the claims - from getting into heated verbal battles with reporters to launching a $250m defamation lawsuit citing 'false and obviously fabricated allegations'. What were his options?

As they explain, proving a negative can be one of the hardest jobs for those in the public eye.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, why the universally awful publicity around the new Michael Jackson movie doesn't seem to matter one jot. Despite widespread criticism for ignoring the dark side of Jackson's story, it's smashing box office records. Is the film a perfect example of 'omission PR'?

Also, how Apple's succession planning has been a total PR peach. David and Farzana explain how CEO Tim Cook mastered the graceful goodbye and what other leaders can learn from the manner of his departure from the role.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

These are busy days in the world of crisis comms. Keeping calm is vital - keeping the public calm is even more vital.

David Yelland and Farzana Baduel explain what's going on behind-the-scenes everywhere - from supermarkets and airlines to energy companies - as concern rises that the war in Iran could affect supply lines.

They discuss the importance of being like a meerkat - horizon scanning - for potential public flashpoints. And why PRs have to come up with calming strategies to avoid dreaded words like 'rationing' causing chaos in the aisles and at the pumps.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, this isn't just any work/life balance, this is a Marks & Spencer work/life balance. CEO Stuart Machin says he doesn't think leaders should switch off while on holiday.

That might be the only way for those at the very top - but what message does it send out to those lower down the chain? David and Farzana discuss how part of the job as a PR is making bosses understand that not everyone thinks like they do.

Also, life is full of disappointments but how you handle them is what matters. As Wales saw their World Cup dreams vanish in penalty shootout heartache, manager Craig Bellamy elevated the post-match press conference by saying: "Tomorrow the sun will rise and I'm going to watch that sunrise."

Getting the message right in the heat of the moment is no easy thing, but he seemed to nail it.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

What happens when you cross enemy lines and join the other side?

As King Charles hires a Sky Royal correspondent for a top comms job at the Palace, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss what happens when journalists switch to PR.

Crucially, they need to learn how to go from broadcast to mute. No more fabulously indiscreet anecdotes involving the rich and powerful over dinner - they're now your clients and your job is to protect their reputation.

And that's just for starters. There are a whole load of different rules and shifts in power dynamics that can take years to fully understand.

Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, why Harry and Meghan have a window of golden PR opportunity - that could slam shut if they don't get their timing spot on. As David and Farzana explain, it's all to do with something called 'brand adjacency'.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In the good old days, if you wanted some favourable PR for a client, you could call up a journalist and take them out for a jolly good lunch. It's not so easy when the thing you're trying to influence is a bot. So is it possible to spin the likes of ChatGPT?

This week David Yelland is joined by Lauren Beeching - a crisis management expert with clients that count their followers in millions.

They discuss how AI is changing so much of the nuts and bolts of the PR reputation game - from having to become a tech wizard to work out if 'evidence' is real, to understanding how to influence what AI chatbots say.

And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, the Fan Hitter that almost broke the internet is back. The woman at the centre of the Coldplay KissCam scandal, Kristin Cabot, has done a big interview with Oprah - and discusses the PR advice she was given.

She claims she was told, "Stay quiet, everything will blow over in three days."

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

When your country's PR plan relies on the projection of safety and security, how do you keep that image alive when you're under attack?

This week, David Yelland is joined by global PR expert Farzana Baduel to examine how countries in the Gulf have managed their comms since the start of the war in Iran.

In Dubai especially, social media influencers have been used as foot soldiers in the reputation battle. But has the relentlessly on-brand, 'we feel safe' messaging been successful? David and Farzana explain why it depends which end of the PR telescope you're looking through.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Getting your message out is obviously a cornerstone of PR. But where you put that message is becoming even more important.

This week, David Yelland is joined by Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty from the BBC podcast Fame Under Fire. Together they look at the challenge for big institutions - especially the Royal Family - of cutting through.

You may think you've been successful if your story gets pick up in all the traditional places - but has anyone under-35 even seen it? They discuss the need to populate the places beyond your traditional base, to get beyond your echo chamber - and the need to interact rather than just pumping out one-way comms.

As Anoushka says, 'Do the boring thing in the most interesting way possible.'

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

When you’re in a crisis, you discover very quickly who your friends are. Or perhaps more accurately, who your friends aren’t.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine how different types of friends are deployed to the PR front line when it comes to reputational combat.

When you can't defend yourself in public, you need the right sort in your corner. But not all friends are equal. There's the named friend, the unnamed friend and the showbiz favourite - 'close friend of the couple'.

And David and Simon reveal there are often PR campaigns going on behind-the-scenes to ensure the best calibre of friend is speaking up - and why a 'source', a 'spokesperson' and a 'friend' might actually be the same person.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a moment of indulgence as When it Hits the Fan reaches its 100th episode. David and Simon explain what's surprised them about the world of PR since the show started - and why they've had to think differently about the world they move in.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

How do you fight a PR battle when everyone's already decided you're the bad guys?

That's the problem facing the water industry on the eve of a new Channel 4 factual drama called Dirty Business. The clue is in the title. It focuses on a 10-year investigation into sewage-polluted waters.

Sticking to the facts is a basic rule of PR - but when coming up against raw anger and emotion, do you need more than facts? How do you appeal to hearts as well as minds?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, PR itself is in the dock. Two firms have found themselves making rather than shaping the news in recent weeks - over the Epstein files and allegations of trying to journalists. Put mildly, the companies involved have a battle on their hands to protect their own reputations. David and Simon explain why.

And if you think Heathrow is too crowded, you're very much mistaken. According to the CEO of the airport, it's simply because people are 'walking in the wrong places'. He might have a point, but the problem is, if you say something that sounds ridiculous, it doesn't matter how right you are - you're wrong.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Some jobs just can't be done. Circumstances, events and a changing world simply make them undoable.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis ask whether one such job is communicating on behalf of the Prime Minister. Not just this Prime Minister, but any Prime Minister.

After only five months, the PM's Director of Communications, Tim Allan has quit. He's the fourth person to hold the role under Sir Keir Starmer.

The old levers of PR clearly aren't working and there seems to be a general bafflement has to how to get the public onboard.

Put simply, is Downing Street now beyond PR?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, how Buckingham Palace is rapidly changing its PR game. Widely criticised for being too slow to react to the scandal around Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the Palace is going on the front foot - with two statements that would've been inconceivable just months ago.

Plus there's nothing like a formal letter from the Government to put you in the mood for love. That's the hope anyway. In France, all 29-year-olds are being written to - to remind them of their duty to have babies. As you might expect, there's been something of a backlash.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

How close is the Palace to being sucked into the Epstein reputational black hole - again?

In this episode David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the latest revelations from the Epstein files about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Can a reputation ever be so utterly ‘nuked’ that there is no coming back and anyone close gets sucked in? What is the Royal Family's PR calculus to avoid the gravity pull of the Epstein PR black hole?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at another man in a PR black hole, Lord Mandelson. Is it really the end of the road for the king of spin, or can the ultimate political survivor find a way out?

Also, the Sunday Times Tax List and why being one of the UK’s biggest tax payers is good PR.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It started with a bombshell but the aftershocks are only just getting started.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis ask whether David and Victoria Beckham's seemingly bulletproof brand is under threat. The cause is of course the incredibly emotional social media outburst from their son, Brooklyn.

Theirs is a brand built on family - so what are the PR challenges when threads start to unravel? And crucially, what say will the money men have about how the Beckham's handle the fallout?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, where best to see where the worlds of PR, power and business collide than Davos? Simon spent the week there and reveals what's really going on behind-the-scenes. It's certainly not as glamorous as you might think.

Plus, how to take on Elon Musk and win. Ryanair's Michael O'Leary delivered a PR masterclass as the two men had a very public spat - using a killer blend of humour and facts. It seems to have done wonders for the airline's business - and given us a timely reminder of how to use your opponent's strength against them.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Reputations supposedly take years to build and seconds to destroy. But what if that's no longer the case?

What if the normal rules about earning - and keeping - a reputation simply don't apply any more.

This week, David Yelland is joined by Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, from the BBC podcast Fame Under Fire. Together, they venture into some distinctly dubious corners of the internet to see how public opinion is really being shaped.

Examining the trial of rapper Diddy, they explain how he may have actually benefitted from the wild accusations being made about him on social media before the case came to court - and how his PR team realised they could capitalise on the fact he was being portrayed as the Devil.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Anoushka look at how the PR world might want to take some tips from Candace Owens - however unpalatable that may seem.

The right-wing influencer promotes conspiracy theories and has repeatedly made claims about Brigitte Macron being born a male. The Macrons have filed a defamation lawsuit against her.

But Candace Owens has millions of followers and arguably influences more people than many newspapers, news channels or politicians. It's why Anoushka describes her as a 'personal PR powerhouse' - and explains that whatever you think of her, the way she spreads her message should be closely examined - and followed.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

When everything's going really well, there's always a lurking fear that it can't possibly last.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how the discussion around weight-loss injections is suddenly, subtly shifting. New research suggests that once you come off them, you put weight back on faster than if you'd shed the pounds in a more traditional way.

The findings dominated the news agenda.

So is the PR worm ever so slightly turning? David and Simon discuss what happens when a product leaves the ordinary world of day-to-day business and becomes something far bigger - something talked about by everyone.

What's crucial is being able to look far enough down the track to see what pitfalls may lay ahead.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, we're talking black gold. Or rather, how the big oil firms are dealing with President Trump - especially after he claimed he'd briefed them before the US raid to capture Venezuela's President Maduro.

David and Simon look at the skills required to PR an oil firm - and why they're more like states than businesses. They'll also explain why big tech has a lot to learn from how oil runs its communications.

Also, there is a traitor in our midst - and she's a head of comms. It's no spoiler to say Rachel is one of the stars of the latest series of The Traitors. But what dark and mysterious PR genius is she bringing to the show to make her so successful? 

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Call it smoke and mirrors, call it sleight of hand. The best PR is often invisible PR.

In this latest episode of our mini-series on the Golden Rules of PR, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the risks of showing your workings.

Increased transparency is admirable in many cases - but beware of just how much you reveal.

A great example from 2025 was the Heathrow Airport crisis. A power outage caused the airport to shut down - and it quickly became known that Heathrow's CEO was asleep when the decision to close the airport was made. There may have been very good reasons for him not to be awake but the optics were terrible.

Creating an illusion is part of the PR toolbox - you're trying to persuade people to come on a journey with you. If, like in the Wizard of Oz, the curtain is pulled back and the artifice crumbles, it could mean game over.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Most of us are guilty of it. A problem looms or a crisis kicks off and the knee-jerk reaction is often to ignore it and hope it goes away.

Newsflash - it rarely does.

In this latest episode of our mini-series on PR's Golden Rules, David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain why doing something is usually better than doing nothing.

Two great examples from 2025 involve the BBC and the Royal Family. Both faced enormous crises - both faced accusations of not saying or doing the right thing quickly enough.

David and Simon explain the perils of being paralysed by group-think in such situations and the difficulties of making yourself heard when you know you've got a solution. And sometimes you have to accept that there isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer - but you just have to say something.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

This episode will change your life. Seriously.

It's a big claim and carries an enormous risk of over-promising.

Welcome to the latest episode in our mini-series on the Golden Rules of PR. This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the risks of rolling the pitch - of laying the PR groundwork - for a forthcoming announcement.

As the Chancellor Rachel Reeves found out in the run up to the Budget, trying to manage expectations can seriously backfire. But we all do it - we try to soften people up ahead of delivering some tricky news. David and Simon explain why there are very sensible reasons for doing this.

The problem is - if you say what's going to happen and people react badly - how do you change your plans without being accused of making a U-turn?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It may be the season to be jolly but there's not a lot of good cheer going around at the moment. With so much unrelentingly bleak news, how do you persuade anyone that not everything's as bad as it seems?

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the power of optimism. It's not just a useful PR tool, it's vital. When optimism is authentic, it can inspire and be incredibly infectious. The trouble is, it can also feel totally out of step with people's own experiences.

That's why it's such a tricky PR balancing act. You want to take people with you but not make them think you're living in a dream world.

When people are crying out for good news, David and Simon look at why the phrase 'positive spin' is almost always used in a derogatory way - even though the very last thing you want is a pessimistic PR team.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, who's on the list and who isn't? The PR minefield that is Christmas cards.

David and Simon discuss whether the festive staple is still a good way of judging where you sit in the business and social firmament.

Should you send cards to all your contacts, should they each get a personalised message - and if someone suddenly stops sending one to you, what are you supposed to think? And given the cost of postage - how do you decide who is really worth the price of a stamp?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It's panto season and panto villains don't come much bigger than Simon Cowell.

The music mogul's made a career and fortune playing the Bad Guy on TV talent shows. But is there more to him - and crucially, is it good PR for him to show a different side?

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis wade through the blizzard of publicity created ahead of Simon Cowell's latest show - to piece together a PR jigsaw that hints at his attempts to stay relevant while also offering glimpses into his world that he may not have intended.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, what happens when a CEO goes missing in action? The good people of Tunbridge Wells are once again disgusted - following a drinking water crisis in the spa town. And their mood has not been helped by the boss of South Eastern Water, David Hinton, refusing to give any interviews.

If the buck stops with you, do you have a duty to show your face in public - or can there be very good reasons for staying invisible when everything is going wrong?

Also, what is going on at HSBC? There's a distinct whiff of chaos around the search for a new CEO. George Osborne had been heavily touted, only for the job to be given to a 76-year-old internal candidate who, by all accounts, might not be hanging around for long. Given it's one of the most prestigious roles in global finance, where is the succession planning? And what does all this confusion at the top mean for the bank's reputation?

Producer: Duncan MIddleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter

Music by Eclectic Sounds. A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4.

It's not easy winning a PR fight when you're up against three octogenarian nuns whose story has become a global smash.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the case of Sister Bernadette, Sister Regina and Sister Rita. They ran away from the care home they'd been sent to and broke back into the Austrian convent where they'd lived for more than 60 years. In the process, they've gained huge support on social media.

Now, they've been told they can stay at the convent - so long as they stop posting online. The nuns and their hundreds of thousands of followers aren't happy.

David and Simon explain why harnessing authentic, joyful, grassroots support is the PR holy grail - and why it's almost impossible to counter. It almost doesn't matter what the Church authorities say or do. The facts are no longer important if people have already decided who is in the right and wrong.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, there's the distinct whiff of crisis at Campbell's. Its CEO has had to go on the record to insist the chicken used in its soups is "not made with a 3D printer". This follows a secret recording of a senior member of staff, who seemingly said the opposite during a long rant about the company.

The claim is clearly nonsense so David and Simon look at whether Campbell's reaction is proportionate - or whether we now live in a world where a company has to respond, no matter how ludicrous a claim seems.

Keeping your customers happy is of course vital in any business. Which brings us to Turkish Airlines. It's facing accusations of poor treatment after the former BBC correspondent, Mark Mardell, was told he wasn't allowed to board a flight because of his Parkinson's. David and Simon examine the response - or lack of - from Turkish Airlines and explain why getting ahead of a PR problem is absolutely crucial.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Imagine being able to read the private emails sent between some of the most powerful people on the planet.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis do exactly that. The release of thousands of pages from the so-called Epstein files shows the ways in which the elite communicate with each other. The exchanges reveal what one New York Times columnist describes as the 'nomadic bat signals' the rich send the rich. Epstein's criminality and cruelty are already crystal clear - but the legacy of these emails tells us so much more about the times we're living in.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a scandal threatening the reputation of a very British institution. The former CEO of Lloyd's of London, John Neal, has had his multi-million pound job offer with AIG rescinded - over claims of a workplace affair. Did Lloyd's do enough to investigate the matter - and does the case undo all the positive PR Lloyd's has received for trying to reform behaviour within the company?

Also, insert your own joke about weird handshakes. The Freemasons are making a fresh attempt to become more transparent. The 600 meeting halls of the Grand Lodge of Scotland are throwing open their doors to public guided tours. It's all part of an effort to be more 'inclusive' and 'engaging'. But what if secrecy is part of your selling point? If you lose the mystique, what have you got left?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

When a top job becomes available, there very soon follows a list of potential 'runners and riders'. But how do you get your name on it? And how do you get your name off it?

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis reveal the PR secrets of The List. Whether it's the BBC, HSBC or Apple, there are suddenly lots of big names being touted around for some very serious jobs.

But there are PR traps along the way. Being seen as the frontrunner doesn't always end well - and if you didn't put your name forward, who did and what are they playing at?

And when it comes to these lists, there is sometimes great value in not appearing on them at all.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds - Penguin PR. David and Simon look at the campaign to get 15 Gentoo penguins released from London Aquarium. The owner, Merlin Entertainments, has pledged to listen to 'constructive ideas' about how best to care for the animals. But has the company already lost the argument?

Also, when someone says AI will "evolve and transition certain jobs", what do they really mean? Especially when that someone is the head of Google's parent firm, Alphabet.

Sundar Pichai sits at the top of company valued at more than $3tn - so when he says he's worried about the AI bubble bursting and the effect it'll have on every company, it's probably worth paying close attention to his choice of words.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

"They make really stupid basic mistakes and they are hopeless at PR."

If you're a podcast about PR, then that quote - made about the BBC this week - is a good place to start when assessing the reputation of the Corporation.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine the crisis engulfing the BBC. One which began with a leaked memo, resulted in two huge resignations and now has President Trump threatening to sue for $1bn.

How did we get here and did the BBC make some cardinal PR mistakes along the way?

Maybe the BBC could do with putting in a call to the man dubbed 'Drastic Dave'. On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at the risks and rewards of parachuting a 'superstar CEO' into a struggling company. In this case, it's Dave Lewis - who's now tasked with turning round drinks business Diageo. The company has seen an immediate bounce in its value, but how long can that PR honeymoon period last?

And what happens if you need to get hold of your CEO - superstar or otherwise - but they're not picking up? The answer, according to the boss of Heathrow, is to give them an extra loud phone.

Thomas Woldbye says that's what he's now got - after sleeping through several alerts when the airport was hit by a huge power failure back in March. David and Simon recall moments from their own careers when they had to decide if, when and how to wake the boss.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It was barely a fortnight - but in that time everything seemed to change.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the dramatic way Buckingham Palace responded to the growing crisis over the then-Prince Andrew. Going from an initial statement that seemed - to many - to get almost everything wrong to a second statement that went further than almost anyone was expecting.

Behind-the-scenes, just what was going on for the Royal comms team? What powers were at play, how was there such a gulf between the two statements and just how hard is it to react quickly when working for an institution as unwieldy as the Royal Family?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, we're on patrol with the 'Pleasure Police'. Well, that's who the gambling industry has in its sights as it fights to stop the sector being hit with higher taxes. But David and Simon think it's a particularly old fashioned type of PR campaign - complete with backing from The Sun and a slogan to Save Our Bets. With the Budget looming large, they examine whether these campaigns ever work.

And what price loyalty? John Lewis is making a fresh attempt to lure members into its flagship store - with the promise of free fizz, nibbles and arm massages. But beyond the pampering, how hard is it for brands and businesses to secure loyalty - and what are the reputational risks if you have to withdraw or adapt those perks?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

As PR moves go, it would surely have earned a '10 from Len'.

But what about the BBC's own communications team, who were seemingly as surprised as everyone else when Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were leaving Strictly Come Dancing?

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at what happens when a PR team is left blindsided by events. And while not strictly a double act, Tess and Claud are a Strictly double act - so it's a chance to discuss the challenges of how to bow out when your reputation is, at least in part, tied up with someone else.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, the Prince Andrew scandal still looms large. The clamour for some kind of decision on his living arrangements is only growing. As yet, there's nothing official. But there does seem to be an awful lot of briefing behind-the-scenes. David and Simon look at how this lack of formal information is playing out for both the King and Prince William.

And how many times have we heard there's a problem at head office? That seems to be the case at Waitrose. The supermarket chain has reversed its decision not to offer paid work to an autistic man after initially saying he had to stop stacking shelves at the store where he had volunteered for four years.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

No more Duke of York, no more Order of the Garter. But he is still Prince Andrew. And he is still the King's brother.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how Buckingham Palace is trying to distance the Royal Family from the constant slew of damaging headlines. But many questions remain about the way it's being handled.

Why was Prince Andrew allowed to sound like he was giving up his titles voluntarily, in a statement that may be argued to show little contrition, focussing instead on his innocence? If it was a decision based on short-term PR pain, has it backfired spectacularly?

Buckingham Palace has asked the public to look at the King's Royal work rather than the scandals involving his brother. But if you're having to ask, have you already lost the argument?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Victoria Beckham is no stranger to headlines. And now she's revealed that intense media scrutiny led to her developing an eating disorder. Cue more headlines. One particular article stood out, which asked why those around Victoria - including her PR team - didn't seem to address the problem at the time.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at what this tells us, not just about Victoria Beckham’s story, but the delicate line that people in the world of PR must tread when they are dealing with a client facing a highly sensitive and personal issue. How do you discuss the elephant in the room?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, we're on the comeback trail. Three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin has begun a very low-key return to her sport after serving a ban for 'excessively' whipping a horse. So far, she's not given any interviews. But is that sustainable - and what are the PR options for trying to return to the spotlight after a scandal?

Also, it's never a good idea to wind up a bear. Especially one from Darkest Peru with a serious marmalade habit. But that's what the makers of Spitting Image have done.

The Michael Bond estate and Studio Canal - who make the Paddington films - are taking legal action after the much-loved bear was depicted as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed beast in a YouTube series. Time for David and Simon to sit down with Paddington and offer some reputational repair work.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

This week, David and Simon look at Michelle Mone's meteoric rise and spectacular fall - and examine the PR decisions that have come back to haunt her.

The Baroness has come out swinging after a judge ruled a company linked to her and her husband Doug Barrowman must pay £122m in damages for breaching a government contract for the supply of personal protective equipment during the Covid pandemic. She says she's been made a scapegoat and is the victim of sexism and classism. Is playing the blame game ever a good idea - and might she have a point?

Most importantly, is there any way back for someone when their reputation is on the floor?

And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, did you hear about the first ever female Archbishop of Canterbury? The chances are the announcement may have initially passed you by - because, for several reasons, the historic moment didn't exactly land. Was it just bad timing - or bad PR?

Also, why the battle for hearts and minds is increasingly fought by cats and dogs. David and Simon are talking pet PR - and explain why there are few better opportunities to reveal your softer side than when you're interviewed alongside your beloved pet. One big reason - you can't fake it.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It was all going so well. Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like a genuine reconciliation was on the cards between Prince Harry and his father, the King. But in the past few days, there's been a blizzard of headlines, anger and yet another breakdown of trust.

At the heart of it, a leak about a private meeting between Harry and his father. Harry's side have blamed 'the men in grey suits' for trying to sabotage any such reconciliation.

This week, David and Simon look at the timing of the leak - and whether classic PR diversionary tactics were employed to take the heat away from other damaging royal stories. Or is the whole thing more of a coincidence than a conspiracy?

Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, cyber attacks and why they pose such a huge PR threat to businesses big and small. Whether it's Jaguar Land Rover being forced to suspend operations or a nursery chain having thousands of images of children stolen - how they communicate with us matters more than ever.

And we look at the rather fabulous reaction of members of the Guinness family to the new Netflix show about the brewing dynasty. Just what are your options when you or your family is portrayed on screen? Is it better to embrace or ignore? Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

We are living in troubling times when Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, feel they have to go to court to prove she is a woman. The couple's lawyer says 'a line has been crossed' by an online influencer who has repeatedly claimed Mrs Macron is a man.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the 'fight for truth'. Famous people and businesses used to be able to ignore or not comment on stories that were clearly untrue. But in the disinformation age, lies gain traction - and stick - faster than ever. So what are the PR challenges and risks of taking a stand when people have already made up their minds?

And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at arguably the toughest PR job in the country - the Archbishop of Canterbury. An announcement on who'll take up the position is expected in the next few weeks - and they face a huge challenge. They'll have a guaranteed platform, but what's the message? At a time when church leaders have written an open letter criticising the 'misuse' of Christian symbols during a march organised by the Far Right, is being controversial unavoidable?

Also, who's up and who's down? Yes, it's league table PR. As Oxford and Cambridge slip down the list of best universities, what dark arts are at play in similar lists? Can they be manipulated - and what are the real reputational risks of falling down the rankings?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It was only a few months ago that Prince Harry was being roundly criticised pretty much everywhere. An ill-judged and hot-headed BBC interview where he discussed the King's health did him few favours. And yet, this week, there has been a shift.

In this week's episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss whether this is a genuine turning point for Harry's PR.

Also, in the extended edition on BBC Sounds, they'll explain why it might not all be over for the master of spin, Peter Mandelson. He may have been sacked and his reputation might be in ruins - but don't assume that means there aren't still plenty of people who'd like a quiet word with the 'Prince of Darkness' of PR.

And speaking of reputations being in the sewer, David and Simon will be talking about an actual one. The Tideway tunnel to be precise. What's surprising is that it's a £5bn infrastructure project that has come in pretty much on time and on budget - and yet, you probably haven't heard of it. Just why is it so much harder to get PR for good news compared to bad?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Rebrands, name changes, financial black holes. Just what is going on with WH Smith?

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the reputation of a high street institution. With stores up and down the country now being called TG Jones, what sort of messaging - if any - has taken place between the new owners and Smith's existing customers? And with most of us looking for a cheap online deal, they'll also explain why retail PR is no longer the glamorous industry it once was.

And in the extended edition on BBC Sounds, who wants to live forever? Well the answer seems to be the leaders of China and Russia. President Xi Jinping and President Putin have been overheard discussing how the advances in biotechnology could lead to eternal life. This happened just before a social media frenzy suggesting President Trump had died. He hadn't. But in a world of increasingly elderly leaders, what are the PR challenges of persuading the rest of us that they're alive and well and fit for office?

Plus it's Coldplay versus KitKats. Yes, the summer has been bookended by two big sex scandals. One of them revealed very publicly at a Coldplay gig - the other, behind the closed doors of Nestle. But as Simon and David explain, the level of coverage a scandal receives doesn't always dictate how serious it is.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

'PRs hold up the mirror and sometimes people don't like what they see.'

So say David Yelland and Simon Lewis in their final episode on golden rules.

This week, it's all about self-awareness and the ability to ask, 'Are we the bad guys?'. David and Simon look at why it's vital to understand how other people really see you or your business, because it changes how you behave.

And why it can lead to making far better PR decisions.

Part of the solution is to challenge groupthink and having the confidence to burst whatever bubble you're in.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

If you say you're going to hit a target, make sure you hit it.

Managing expectations is one of the most important golden rules of PR, according to David Yelland and Simon Lewis.

In this episode, they look at the pitfalls of over promising - both to shareholders and the public. It's far better for people to be pleasantly surprised at what you've achieved rather than wildly disappointed.

David and Simon look at real examples taken from the boardroom and politics to highlight the risks and rewards of getting this wrong and right.

It's all about making sure you can make the expectation become a reality.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Non attributable, authorised leaks, Chatham House rules. Briefing the media can be a baffling minefield.

In this episode on golden rules, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the art of going on and off the record.

They explain how it's possible to reveal and conceal vital or sensitive information, while protecting yourself and your clients in the process.

Just make sure you've made it very clear what is -and isn't - up for publication.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

'Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.'

An excellent nugget of wisdom from boxing legend Mike Tyson. But you don't need to be heavyweight champion to understand where he's coming from.

In this episode on the golden rules of PR, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the importance of crisis planning - and why it's very common for those plans to go out the window the moment the crisis actually hits.

You might not be able to rehearse exactly what's going to happen but you can take steps to prepare for the worst.

David and Simon explain why it's vital to know who you can trust BEFORE the crisis hits -and why just turning your phone off and hoping everything will be ok probably isn't a smart move.

There's also talk of Simon hiding in a nuclear bunker.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It's not quite two tribes going to war but it can feel like that.

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the complicated relationship between PR and the media. You know what story you want to tell but a journalist might have another idea entirely.

David and Simon examine the mistakes that even the top CEOs make when talking to reporters. And they explain the conflicting nature of the two worlds and how to navigate between them.

Top tip: Even if you've known a journalist for years - don't assume they're going to be on your side when things hit the fan.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Just the word 'networking' can conjure up images of high-powered people in suits who all seem to be part of the same club - and you have no idea how to get in.

But it doesn't have to be like that.

In this episode on golden rules, David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain why growing your network is vital to success - and the best time to start is right now.

Whatever your background, they look at how you can start to increase your contacts - even if it's just asking for a phone number. And they explain how asking for advice can be a great ice-breaker.

And if you still think networking is something that only the rich and powerful can do, follow David's advice - 'Don't mock the elite, copy them'.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Loads of money, success and power - great. But what do people actually think of you?

In this new, short series, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at some of the golden rules that they come back to time and again on When it Hits the Fan.

First up, they explain why reputation really is everything. You might be flying high now but if you fall, you might find it very hard to climb back to the top without having a good reputation.

David and Simon explain why it can be very healthy - if not a little daunting - to seek out the dreaded 360 degree feedback.

Also, they look at how your social media posts can affect your chances of recruitment - but insist businesses are getting it wrong by only seeking out candidates with a vanilla profile.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

The idea of a secret meeting is just that - it stays secret. So what happens when that meeting becomes front page news?

It's time to call in the PR detectives.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine the curious case of a clandestine meeting between the senior staff of both Prince Harry and the King. Someone tipped off the press. But who - and why?

David and Simon sift through the evidence to establish what might have been going on behind-the-scenes and which PR team - if any - has most to gain from the meeting being made public.

Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, they'll look at the fallout from all this - and ask where this leaves the attempts at reconciliation between Prince Harry and his father.

They'll also take a deep dive into the secret PR world of secret meetings - how to arrange them, where to have them and the awkward moments that can follow if someone gets the wrong end of the stick.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

We tend to like leaders to appear calm and in control. But we also want them to be human. The problem is, when they show genuine emotion, they often get slated for it - branded as 'weak' or an 'embarrassment'.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how people in public life are judged for letting the mask slip - and reveal how much effort goes in to preparing people to show more or less emotion. They'll also examine whether suppressing emotion is the only way to get to the top in business.

Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at a huge fan hitter in the business world that you may not even have heard of - but one that goes to the very heart of reputational risk.

And never let the truth get in the way of a good story. It appears the much-loved book and now film, The Salt Path may not be quite what it seems. Does it matter? And if so, who is this a crisis for?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Siblings at war, power struggles, a well-earned reputation in need of protection - who doesn't love a family dynasty drama?

As Eric Trump hints he could try and run for President, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how you PR a dynasty, in both business and politics. How do you build momentum and create an inevitability about succession?

And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, why the world of PR loves an anniversary. As Keir Starmer marks a year in power, David and Simon explain why it can be great (not to mention easy and lazy) to celebrate notable dates - but how it can also leave you a total hostage to fortune.

Plus whether the PR rules applied to big multinationals can also be used in the smallest of settings.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Just be your best authentic self. That's supposedly what we should all be striving for. But is it good advice and in public life, is it even possible?

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at creating the illusion of authenticity and why the public can sniff out a fake a mile off.

Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon celebrate the PR holy grail that is the word-of-mouth smash. And with new statues being announced for the late Queen and Sir Andy Murray, they'll look at the tricky issue of legacy PR.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Sure, who wouldn't want a wedding snap with Venice's Grand Canal in the background? But what if there were also dozens of banners showing your face on a rocket being blasted into space?

As Jeff Bezos and his multimillionaire guests prepare to descend on Venice for his Big Day, David and Simon look at how the lavish bash is set against a backdrop of protests against mass tourism across Europe. And why AirBnB is trying to mount a fight back.

Also, in the extended edition on BBC Sounds, it seems rumours of the demise of X might have been exaggerated. David and Simon discuss why it's still the go-to platform for having a PR argument.

And emerging from shadows, what does the announcement of the new head of M16 tell us as about the secret service's communications game?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Arise Sir Goldenballs. With David Beckham all set to receive a knighthood, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at whether it's possible to use PR to get yourself a major honour.

Whisper it quietly, but there might be things you can do to, let's say, maximise your chances.

Also, in the extended edition on BBC Sounds, they look at how to spin a change of direction after a week of high-profile U-turns.

And they discuss what other campaigners could learn from Jamie Oliver as he sets his sights on how the education system treats kids with dyslexia.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

What do you get if the designer of the iPhone teams up with the founder of OpenAI? Unbelievable hype, that's what.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine the huge buzz created by the news that Jony Ive and Sam Altman have joined forces to create 'the coolest bit of tech the world will have ever seen'. The claims don't end there - even though we have no idea what their new product will be. So how do you PR something that doesn't yet exist?

Also, on the extended version on BBC Sounds, we all saw it but did it even happen? The bizarre attempt to blame President Macron being shoved by his wife on AI fakery. How the best laid PR plans can dissolve in a moment.

And from golden keys to black eyes, Simon and David break down the Trump/Musk press conference.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

It's that moment when a boss, a CEO or football manager goes all Peggy Mitchell and screams: 'You're Barred'. It might work in EastEnders but is it sensible in the world of PR?

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the motivations behind banning journalists. Is a ban just one big power play and does it ever achieve anything? And more importantly, are there darker arts that can be more effectively employed to freeze someone out?

Also, in the extended episode on BBC Sounds, they'll be answering your burning PR questions - including how to fight back against cuts and what you should really tell your client in the moments before a big interview.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

How do you PR the future? That's the question David Yelland and Simon Lewis are wrestling with this week. As Uber says it's 'ready to go' with driverless cabs, can the British public be persuaded to jump in?

How do you sell a vision?

Also, in the extended edition on BBC Sounds, they look at Gary Lineker's departure from the BBC and the PR rules around staying silent or speaking out. And when is a gift not just a gift? Possibly when it's a $400m plane. David and Simon pull back the covers on the world of freebies.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Spying tends to be a fairly secretive game, for obvious reasons. So eyebrows have been quizzically raised (a bit like Roger Moore's 007) following the naming of the woman apparently favourite to become the new chief of MI6.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis explore the murky world of leaks. Who benefits from them, why are they done and just how damaging can they be?

They'll explain why leaking is far from victimless and reveal their own experiences of turning on the news and realising someone is out to get you.

And in the extended episode on BBC Sounds, have the Beckham's lost control of their PR? With pages of newspaper coverage devoted to their supposed family rift, David and Simon look at when two PR tribes go to war.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

As far as royal interviews go, it'll take some beating.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis sift through Prince Harry's BBC interview - and discuss whether it's a PR disaster. They discuss what sort of advice Harry is being given and why, when it comes to doing a big interview, the golden rule is 'never go in hot'.

Listen to the full extended version on BBC Sounds, where David and Simon also look at how Marks & Spencer responded to a cyber attack - and why saying nothing can sometimes be the best policy. Plus, what everyone in PR could learn from two of the great master communicators, Michelle Obama and Sir David Attenborough.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

What if your profession is to blame for almost everything? This week, David Yelland is joined from Washington by PR guru Phil Elwood - who thinks the industry needs to take a long hard look at itself.

Accusing PR of being like a virus, Phil says the tricks of the trade that have been used for decades to influence, mislead and cajole have been co-opted by both the media and by governments.

And the results aren't pretty.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the global battle for hearts, minds and reputations between the US and China. Following JD Vance calling the people of China peasants, how far is China's retaliatory social media PR strategy seeking to embarrass America, or is the United States damaging its own reputation all by itself?

Plus - Birmingham's rat problem, Signal chat leaks and what's been dubbed 'the biggest PR disaster in the universe' - it's Jeff Bezos's rocket launch and why all great PR crises are self-made.

Producers: Eve Streeter and Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these special short episodes, David Yelland and Simon Lewis give you lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes of your time.

In this episode, they share their advice on how to avoid being taken for granted at work. If you feel like you're the office dogsbody, David and Simon have some great advice for boosting your profile and proving you're capable of so much more

Producer: Duncan Middleton Executive Producer: Sarah Teasdale Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these special short episodes, David Yelland and Simon Lewis give you lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes of your time.

In this episode they share their advice on how bosses and HR departments should best deal with making people redundant. Managing expectations and compassion are key. And remember, if it happens to you, a little bit of defiance goes a long way.

Producer: Ella Blaxhill Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In this special episode David Yelland and Simon Lewis answer PR questions sent in by When It Hits the Fan listeners. First off, they are just two little words but they carry a lot of meaning... why 'no comment' can be both a good and bad thing to say - and what you might be able to say as an alternative.

Also, they have some great tips for how to deal with a boss who's demanding national coverage despite having nothing newsworthy to report.

There's advice for small charities on how to get your message out there in a very crowded marketplace. And David and Simon reveal the character traits they believe are vital for being a great PR pro.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In this special episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis unpick the PR levers being pulled behind the Heathrow airport shutdown caused by a fire at a local power substation – which left 300,000 passengers stranded, 1,300 flights cancelled and its CEO in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Was it wise to let it be known that CEO Thomas Woldbye was asleep when the decision was made to shut the airport? Or was it a leak?

In any crisis there is always a blame game - who are the winners and losers here?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Letting the cameras go behind the scenes of a company is always a risky strategy - but did it pay off for Thames Water? David Yelland and Simon Lewis assess whether BBC2's Thames Water: Inside the Crisis is a PR victory or a PR disaster for the much maligned utility. The frontline staff emerge as heroes, but is the real story being told?

Also, how bad PR can kill a business - will the Tesla brand survive being tainted by Elon Musk?

And how Prince William is using Aston Villa and football as soft Royal power. Beware - fake it at your own peril.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Across the world reputations are being set by how leaders react to Donald Trump, including those of Keir Starmer and the King. Now Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, has seen his standing transformed by his "elbow’s up" anti-Trump stance. But in the country’s upcoming election, the Canadian question will be binary – who is the best candidate to deal with Trump’s America?

Plus Abrdn’s reverse ferret and the decision by the investment company to return all its missing vowels following a widely ridiculed rebrand. Why do some ideas fail to pass the parody test?

And the power of positivity - how the Japanese ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hiroshi Suzuki, has won hearts by ditching grip and grin diplomacy.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pause all US aid to Ukraine, David Yelland and Simon Lewis reflect on the breakdown in the relations between presidents Trump and Zelensky. How far was his humiliation in the Oval Office press huddle orchestrated in the Trumpian echo chamber? Was deploying the stabilising effect of the King both before and after that car crash press conference the wisest use of royal PR in decades?

Also - how toy giant Hasbro managed to interrupt the global crisis to announce that Peppa Pig is to have a new sibling. What's the secret to creating a moment of pure PR magic?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss how best to navigate the 'disinformation bubble' that appears to be parked over Washington DC. Could business take a lead from the media on drawing lines in the sand?

Following Peter Mandelson's apparently off-the-cuff remark that Donald Trump's speech, in which he called Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator, was "interesting", what's the best way to deal with uninvited questions from a reporter? Is silence always golden?

And, how long should people who've held positions of power and influence wait before they spill the beans on their old organisation?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the £75billion PR battle currently waging between BP - one of the UK's biggest companies - and American activist investors who say it’s too weak and too woke.

Also, the world’s top banker is caught ranting about work-from-home GenZers. Is it good PR or bad PR?

And will the claim from conservative influencer Ashley St Clair that Elon Musk is the father of her baby derail his White House bromance with President Donald Trump? Do such 'scandals' matter in the US any more?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis take you inside the woke war rooms in which some of the world’s biggest companies have been sitting these last few weeks with their PR teams, working out whether to abandon their diversity, equity and inclusion programmes following Donald Trump’s ban. With net zero and US foreign aid also coming under the umbrella of what Elon Musk calls the 'woke mind virus’, is the war on woke the great PR distraction trick of our time?

Also, 'Illuminating and electrifying!' Are book endorsements dead in the age of the influencer?

And how can PR professionals keep a handle on the WhatsApps and private communications of their CEOs?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

How do you PR a pivot and change the mood music as a politician? David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a look at the language Rachel Reeves is deploying as she tries to go for growth and what might lie behind the timing of AstraZeneca scrapping its UK vaccine plant.

Also, the split that divides the world's PR elite - the political and business world is having to decide whether to follow Donald Trump's language or resist it, kowtow or fight. How do we all talk to America now?

And a PR take on the publicity for Bill Gates' new memoir.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In a rare, open and frank discussion, David Yelland and Simon Lewis go behind the scenes of The Sun newspaper's historic apology to Prince Harry, including for 'serious intrusion' by The Sun and unlawful activity by private investigators.

There's no suggestion that any Sun journalist broke the law. But as a former editor of the paper during this time, what light can David shed on practices at Rupert Murdoch's company then - the use of private investigators and oversight of this, questioning sources, as well as protecting the privacy of Prince William and Prince Harry while they were at Eton? Will this settlement draw a line under the hacking scandal and Harry’s crusade against the tabloid press?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In the wake of Donald Trump’s inauguration, David Yelland and Simon Lewis decode what it means for how the 47th US president does business.

For the tech billionaires in the court of King Donald, as in the days of yore, proximity to power is key. The court can be a risky place if your king is capricious, so stay close, give him what he wants and prove your loyalty – and hope you can still look yourself in the mirror.

Also, what TikTok, crypto and the PR tactic of “flooding the zone” reveal about how the Trump presidency may play out.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

As the LA wildfires continue to burn, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the challenge looming for US insurers that find themselves on the frontline of climate change communications - because it looks likely it's not the world's politicians who are going to explain to people the consequences of our warming planet, it's the insurance companies.

Also, a fan-hitting Hollywood feud that has PR at the centre of it. What does the lawsuit between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reveal about the use of publicity smear campaigns?

And - just what was behind the UK's biggest energy company warning about low levels of gas storage during the coldest week of the winter?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins is our how-to guide to personal PR from the When It Hits the Fan team. David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their expert advice on how to navigate the working world like a pro. In these special short episodes, you'll lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes.

In this episode David and Simon answer a listener's question on how to leave a job when you've only just started. They explain how to tactfully u-turn and quit before anyone notices.

Producer: Ella Blaxill Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins is a series of short episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to help you navigate your own personal PR.

In this episode, David and Simon answer a listener's question on how to use storytelling when presenting to your boss. They run us through their dos and don'ts when it comes to telling stories and presenting like a pro.

Producer: Ella Blaxill Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins is our how-to guide to personal PR from the When It Hits the Fan team. David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their expert advice on how to navigate the working world like a pro. In these special short episodes, you'll lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes.

In this episode they discuss how to recover from embarrassment at work. Mastering the art of the apology is key and remember, it may feel like the end of the world but no one's thinking about it as much as you are.

Producer: Ella Blaxill Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the use of 'royal sources' in Prince Andrew's China crises and reflect on the big ideas that have shaped our world in 2024. What are the common themes that might help us understand and navigate our increasingly uncertain world a bit better?

They discuss how the Royal Family is the canary in the PR mine when it comes to dealing with the coming era of algorithms that work to channel negativity and disinformation, as well as the consequences of social media algorithms for all of us.

What does this mean for what happens next in 2025? How best to get a clear message out in a polluted ocean of information? In our changing world, the enduring power of storytelling and connection will be needed more than ever.

Producer: Eve Streeter Assistant Producer: Ella Blaxill Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these special short episodes, David Yelland and Simon Lewis give you lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes of your time.

In this episode: how to survive the office party. Should the "hub and spoke" or the SAS-style approach be your strategy for the night? David and Simon share their work wisdom on how to make sure you emerge with only good stories to tell.

Producer: Sophie Smith Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis assess one of the biggest fan-hitters in the history of the media industry - Rupert Murdoch’s failure to win the legal battle to control who takes the reins of his media empire. What does this defeat mean for the world’s most famous media mogul and his legacy?

Also, in the wake of the shocking, fatal shooting of healthcare executive Brian Thompson in New York and the online reaction to it, how might this tragic event reshape the way business leaders relate to the world?

And – when Disney CEO Bob Iger says he’s up at 4am, should we take notes? Why do so many business leaders go public with their early-bird morning routines?

Producer: Eve Streeter Assistant Producer: Ella Blaxill Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a 360 degree look at the Gregg Wallace/MasterChef crisis. They examine the errors of Wallace’s ways after one particularly ill-advised – or possibly unadvised – social media video post. What are the implications of the surfacing allegations for Banijay, the low-profile but hugely wealthy production company behind MasterChef, and the BBC?

Also, following Australia's ban on social media for the under 16s, how big tech is using ‘cynicism PR’ in an attempt to stop a worldwide trend.

And, is Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey a PR genius or is he damaging his political image? David and Simon debate the merits of the politician’s social media presence as he releases his debut Christmas single.

Producer: Eve Streeter Assistant Producer: Ella Blaxill Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Jaguar’s rebrand video has sent the internet into meltdown, and the insults are piling up. The car manufacturer’s wildly uncharacteristic advert has even tempted Elon Musk into the conversation. David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the PR strategy Jaguar might be employing and whether they’ll come out of this unscathed.

Also, how the late Lord John Prescott managed to navigate a lifetime of fan-hitters to go down in political history as a legend.

And, how and why has the lure of reality TV captured former Conservative politician Jacob Rees-Mogg?

Producer: Eve Streeter Assistant Producer: Ella Blaxill Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Is it time for the business world to enter the great public debates of our time - and is it bad PR if you don’t? Its absence has left a vacuum for misinformation to spread and CEOs like Greg Jackson from Octopus Energy are stepping up.

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss this, as well as a fascinating crisis at ice-cream makers Ben & Jerrys and big pharma in the wake of Robert Kennedy Jr's nomination as the next US health secretary.

Also - what does the exodus from Elon Musk’s X to Bluesky mean for the way we all communicate, and how companies communicate with us?

And Coleen Rooney’s PR coup. What the I’m a Celebrity star can teach the communications great and good about how to get your message across.

Producer: Eve Streeter Assistant Producer: Ella Blaxill Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In his first presidency, Donald Trump vowed to “drain the swamp of Washington DC” - PR agents and all. So, how can a second Trump presidency possibly look promising for PR? David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss how change can create opportunity.

In this episode they explore how Trump’s return to office might impact business both in the US and abroad, how powerful players go about influencing the new president and what does money (lots of it) have to do with it all?

Also, how condescending criticism isn’t a good look. David and Simon address the hostile review of hit series Rivals by the producer of Wolf Hall.

Producer: Eve Streeter Assistant Producer: Ella Blaxill Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In this special episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis let When It Hits the Fan listeners set the agenda and answer questions sent in to the Fan postbag.

They discuss the truth - when to tell it, and when to hide it. If fly-on-the-wall television comes calling will it always result in good publicity for you? And how far does PR drive the news agenda?

Also, from Queen Camilla to Boy George, what are the best reputation comebacks? And, "as I was just saying to Bono...", does namedropping really oil the wheels of the PR industry?

If you have a PR question of your own to send the Fan team, go to WhatsApp and text the word “Fan” to 03700 100 444. Then start a new message with your question either as a text or a recorded voice note, or text your question by SMS to 84844. Full details are on the When It Hits The Fan BBC contact page.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis lift the lid on the rarely talked about world of establishment PR and the great battle for influence happening behind the scenes in modern Britain. It’s why Peter Mandelson, William Hague and 36 other hopefuls are all vying to be the next Chancellor of Oxford University.

Also, how the new CEO of Starbucks is trying to reverse a recent decline in sales with the help of some back-to-basics internal communications.

And the great cheese heist… how taking the financial hit for the theft of £300,000 worth of posh cheddar has given Neal’s Yard Dairy a PR boost.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In the wake of the death of the One Direction star Liam Payne, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the role of protection in PR. Advisers are often the first people to know about a problem, and the first to try to fix it. Could celebrity publicists learn something about duty of care from the world of corporate PR? David and Simon talk fame, addiction and the importance of creating private space.

Also, the FA has walked into an apparent PR own goal appointing a German head coach to manage the England men’s football team. Why is leaning into a short-term tabloid burial sometimes the smartest move?

And, following the release of the new Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice – how to manage your client’s PR when Hollywood comes knocking.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David and Simon discuss Kamala Harris’s interview on the hit US podcast Call Her Daddy. What can British politicians and business leaders learn about the power of being three-dimensional and opening up?

Also, it’s a game of two halves – the PR behind the football civil war that is Manchester City versus the Premier League.

And the LinkedIn job status update. To varnish, or not to varnish?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Why does Keir Starmer need to start taking people behind the Number 10 bikesheds and having a quiet word? David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain 'bikeshed PR' and how to move a news story on.

Also, knowing when to step back and call your PR battle a day is not always easy, as the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing fan-hitter shows. What can we learn from this and the returning saga of Wagatha Christie?

And, the email you didn't mean to send.... David and Simon share tales of their personal gaffes and how best to deal with them.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Is there such a thing as too much good PR? It seems everyone is talking about the weight-loss drug Ozempic - David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at why might this be causing jitters in the company boardroom.

Also, Phillip Schofield’s desert island TV return - will the "last roll of the dice” PR strategy work for him, or is Hillary Clinton's 1992 interview alongside her under-fire husband a cautionary tale?

And with the release of the drama series A Very Royal Scandal, David and Simon look at how PR people are portrayed on film and TV. Useless, posh, drunk or sinister - is it myth, or is it reality?

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Following the BBC investigation into Mohamed Al Fayed, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the circle of reputational protection that existed around the former Harrods boss and allowed him to commit serial sexual abuse for so long and get away with it.

Also, inside the Murdoch family's succession feud and the importance the results could have on the political state of global media.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David and Simon discuss Huw Edwards, Strictly Come Dancing and the BBC in crisis. How is the corporation dealing with being in the news for all the wrong reasons?

Plus, “They’re eating the dogs, they're eating the cats” - is the global mockery following Donald Trump’s pet-eating accusations in his TV debate with Kamala Harris a PR disaster for the former president?

And what is the elephant in the room? Let’s talk about why the unmentionable is often at the heart of PR.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the Princess of Wales’ unprecedented video announcing the end of her chemotherapy treatment. There has been nothing like it in the history of the Royal Family's communications and it’s a move that rewrites how they speak to people. Does it come with risks?

Also, what have we learnt about how the Labour government is handling its PR? We look at leaning into unpopularity in an age of populism, and moving Margaret Thatcher’s portrait, and reveal the secret tactics used by the government to reach rioters in the summer.

Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

David and Simon share their advice on how to lead