When It Hits the Fan

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