The PR Week

This week’s episode of The PR Week podcast features 2026 predictions from our editorial team: Editorial director Steve Barrett, news editor Diana Bradley, associate news editor Jess Ruderman and reporter Julia Walker. They talk about what's in-store for the year ahead in relation to consumer marketing trends, agency dynamics and the impact of AI.PRWeek executive editor Frank Washkuch also joins the podcast remotely from CES in Las Vegas. He shares his insights and snippets of conversations he had with PR pros on the ground at the event, such as Jennifer Hartmann, John Deere’s global director of corporate reputation and brand marketing; Sona Iliffe-Moon, Yahoo’s chief communications officer; and Joseph Gallo, PayPal’s director of communications and head of communications for crypto and PayPal Ads.The team also discusses the biggest industry news of the week, including Allison Worldwide hiring Wendy Lund as global CEO; ICR appointing Anton Nicholas as CEO; Chris Chiames’ retirement from his role as Carnival Cruise Line’s chief communications officer; Universal Music Group naming James Steven as EVP and chief communications officer; and WPP launching Agent Hub on its AI marketing platform WPP Open.  PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Another year has come and gone for The PR Week podcast, and this year has once again been filled with top guests and key insights. Check out this highlight reel of some of the year’s best episodes, including leaders from top agencies such as The Weber Shandwick Collective and in-house teams such as Walmart and Ford.  PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The guest on the latest edition of The PR Week podcast is Kim Sample, president of the PR Council, a national trade organization that works on behalf of agencies. As a year of massive change for the agency landscape wraps up, Sample talks about what her industry partners are thinking while entering 2026. She also chats about the effects of Omnicom’s acquisition of Interpublic Group, as well as other industry and economic trends. Plus the biggest marketing and communications news of the week, from a range of high-level people moves at organizations from OpenAI to Intel and Netflix to reaction to Vanity Fair’s profile of the White House staff.  PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The guest on the latest, wide-ranging edition of The PR Week podcast is Dan Bartlett, executive vice president of corporate affairs at Walmart. He joins the podcast during an important week for Walmart, after the retail giant eschewed the New York Stock Exchange for the Nasdaq. Bartlett talks about that and discusses the communications skills and preparation ethic of Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. He also reflects on his time crafting the public communications strategy of former President George W. Bush. Plus, the biggest marketing and communications news of the week, such as the latest from Omnicom’s acquisition of Interpublic Group, Publicis Groupe’s 100th birthday celebration, the affordability debate and new communications leaders at Duolingo and Insulet.  PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s a seismic change for several industries. Omnicom Group closed its $9 billion acquisition of Interpublic Group last Wednesday. In the days since, the deal has resulted in many job reductions as Omnicom tries to reach promised cost savings. For the PR sector, the deal means former Interpublic agencies Golin and The Weber Shandwick Collective are joining Omnicom PR, which includes FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, Porter Novelli and other firms under the leadership of CEO Chris Foster. Joining this week’s podcast are Campaign’s Luz Corona and MM+M’s Jameson Fleming, who explain what the holding company mega-deal means for the creative and medical marketing sectors, respectively. Plus, some of the biggest marketing and communications news of the week, such as WPP delaying employee pay reviews until next spring and PRWeek’s Best Places to Work 2025. PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.