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
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36:06
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36:06
The Prince Andrew Crisis
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
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25:59
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25:59
What Victoria Beckham's revelation reveals about PR
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
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27:48
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27:48
Michelle Mone: Her PR Rise and Fall
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
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32:04
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32:04
Prince Harry and the Men in Grey Suits
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
Inside the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as David Yelland and Simon Lewis watch the week's biggest PR disasters unfold. In each episode our hosts go behind the scenes of the latest news stories and find out how, where and when it all began to hit the fan. When It Hits The Fan is hosted by two of the most influential and experienced people in the game; David Yelland is the former editor of the Sun and alongside him is Simon Lewis, former trouble-shooter for the Queen and Gordon Brown, as well as for major corporations like the Nat West, Vodafone and British Gas. Together they bring decades of experience in both creating and managing crises. They'll share all they know about what's keeping those big stories in and out of the news.
Ireland