'PR ideas don't work on social' – PRWeek podcast on meme-led campaigns
Social media experts with experience at LADbible and Great British Memes are the guests on PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast.How can brands show that they’re culturally-led on social media, without crossing a line or seeming too corporate?PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast delves into the topic, hearing from George Bacon, founder of GBM Group, and Maya Orr, founder of Big Name on Campus (BNOC).Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Bacon has built a network of over 15 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, on pages such as GreatBritishMemes and Thatgirlpage. GBM Group’s meme pages have partnered with brands including Uber Eats, Jaffa Cakes, Persil, Warburtons and Bumble on ‘lo-fi’ social media ad partnerships.Meanwhile, ex-LADbible and Lidl marcomms pro Orr now runs a ‘values-led’ influencer agency, BNOC, which aims to connect brands with influencers whose work is rooted in purpose.Speaking to PRWeek’s deputy news editor, Evie Barrett, the pair discuss the most common mistakes they see PR and marketing teams make when trying to help brands seem relatable online.Bacon and Orr share how a business should balance the risks and rewards of an active social media presence, from jumping on big trends to actively participating in comment sections.The duo also give their views on whether there is still a place for more polished, traditional campaigns.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
38:56
--------
38:56
How to support a colleague diagnosed with cancer – PRWeek podcast
How can PR pros support a colleague diagnosed with cancer? PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast episode discusses this important topic. Our guest this week is Emily Luscombe, who is a partner at sustainability consulting firm ERM, where she leads the strategic communications specialism. She joins PRWeek’s Siobhan Holt (UK deputy editor).Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.On this week’s podcast, Luscombe discusses her 2022 cancer diagnosis and talks about her experiences. In the podcast, she explains how businesses and colleagues can better support cancer patients and those with chronic illnesses.Luscombe candidly talks about her diagnosis, how she informed her management and colleagues, and how she handled the mental and physical aspects. She offers her advice to those who may be going through a similar situation, and explains how business and the PR industry as a whole can better support cancer patients or those caring for someone going through treatment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
31:40
--------
31:40
Burson, DGA chiefs on ‘essential’ party conferences
Party conference season is almost upon us – and this week’s episode of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast looks at why public affairs and comms professionals should get involved.Joining PRWeek UK editor John Harrington are Nick Williams, executive chair of international and public affairs at Burson London; and Katherine Morgan, a partner at DGA Group who leads the London public affairs team and is head of Europe public affairs.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Our guests this week discuss why party conferences are important for public affairs and PR professionals, how they have evolved over recent years, and their expectations for the 2025 conference season.They give their take on Reform UK’s conference on 5 and 6 September, which is expected to generate great interest amid a surge in support for the Nigel Farage-led party.The opposite is expected to be true for the Conservative conference – although our guests explain why it’s still important to attend.Williams and Morgan talk about their agencies’ plans for the different conferences. And they offer advice for newcomers about how to make the most of the ‘Glastonbury of the political calendar’.The duo also offer their take on this week’s comms reshuffle at Downing Street, which has seen the return to No. 10 of Portland Communications founder Tim Allan.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
28:27
--------
28:27
‘GEO could kill or save the PR industry’ – PRWeek podcast
What are the biggest opportunities for PR to influence AI search results? PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast delves into the topic.Our guests this week are Ashley Wallace Jones, vice president of integrated marketing at PAN Communications; and Paul Stollery, co-founder and creative director at Hard Numbers.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.On this week’s episode, the guests discuss Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) – the next iteration of SEO, hailed by some as a “goldmine” for PR.Interviewed by PRWeek UK’s deputy news editor Evie Barrett, the pair share their predictions for AI-search optimisation’s impact on the PR industry in years to come, and how those who haven’t yet started working in GEO can begin to do so.They also discuss PR’s use of AI more broadly, explaining how the industry could currently be in an “AI hype cycle”.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
47:07
--------
47:07
M&A return ‘an opportunity for PR’ – with Kekst CNC, H/Advisors Maitland
PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast looks at the global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market and the big trends comms professionals should know about.Our guests both work in M&A for major consultancies: Oliver Mann, a partner in Kekst CNC’s London office, and Finlay Donaldson, associate partner at H/Advisors Maitland. They join PRWeek journalists Siobhan Holt and John Harrington this week.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or on your favourite platform.Our guests examine how the global M&A market has changed throughout 2025, especially in response to President Trump’s tariffs and other geopolitical shifts.They discuss how important M&A work is at their agencies, how this has changed over the past couple of years, and whether they plan to add extra services to serve clients who are looking at deals.PR’s relationship with investor relations and the appetite for stock market flotations and private equity sales are also put under the microscope. And the comms professionals offer their predictions for M&A for the rest of the year.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A panel of industry experts discuss the issues the latest news and hot topics you need to know in PR and communications.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listen to Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast, Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
Ireland