Echoes & Influence

Alexander Leibner, Founder and Managing Editor of The Sandton Times, joins Echoes & Influence for a candid conversation on the future of journalism, PR and digital media. Discover how technology, AI, content creation and media entrepreneurship are reshaping communications, why relationships still matter and what PR professionals can do to work more effectively with today's newsrooms. @AlexFLeibner...

In this episode of Echoes & Influence, Jo and Franki sit down with recruitment specialist Joanne Barrett to unpack the evolving talent landscape in PR and communications. From the industry’s obsession with “unicorn” hires to hybrid work tensions, AI-written CVs and the collapse of workplace professionalism, it’s an honest conversation about what agencies really need, what candidates are getting wr...

In this episode of Echoes & Influence, Jo and Franki unpack the growing tension between editorial integrity and commercial survival in modern media. From advertorials and sponsored content to boosted posts and paid partnerships, they explore how the once-sacred divide between journalism and advertising has blurred and what that means for PR professionals navigating today’s landscape. It’s a candid...

In part two of our conversation with Annelee Murray, we shift focus from the field to what comes after it, unpacking how players build sustainable careers beyond rugby. From personal brand to long-term thinking, she explores legacy, transition and the responsibility of South Africa's Springbok Rugby team ecosystem in supporting life after the game.

In this first of two conversations, Annelee Murray reflects on more than two decades shaping the voice and identity of the South African Springbok Rugby team. From inside the changing room to the press room, she unpacks the real work behind high-performance sport, leadership and narrative.

In this episode of Echoes & Influence - the first of Season Two - Jo and Franki discuss how and why the revenue models in PR agencies or communications businesses work. Balancing staffing with strategy and practical needs - what does 'cost-to-company' mean for someone in their first comms role versus what it means for a professional who has been placed in a management or lynchpin role. Join us for...

In this episode of Echoes and Influence, Jo and Frankie unpack the complex world of cause campaigns and cause marketing. They explore how brands can support social issues authentically, when to get involved, and why genuine impact matters more than lip service. From powerful GBV awareness work to the controversial CEO SleepOut, they examine successes, missteps and the reputational stakes for compa...

In this episode of Echoes and Influence, Jo and Frankie dive into the tricky world of celebrity spokespeople. From Gwyneth Paltrow’s headline grabbing appearance for Astronomer to infamous endorsement missteps like Kylie Jenner’s Pepsi ad, they unpack what makes celebrity partnerships succeed or fail. Expect insights on authenticity, ethics, brand alignment and crisis management, plus sharp exampl...

On this episode of Echoes & Influence, we speak with Tokiso Molefe, a seasoned communications professional and digital strategist, about the rapid pace of change driven by AI in the communications space — and the ethical questions around advising clients and billing for AI‑enhanced services.

On this episode of Echoes & Influence, we speak with Sarah Gooding, PR and communications leader based in Gauteng, about the transformative impact of AI on the communications industry. From content creation to strategy, Sarah opened our eyes to what practitioners need to know to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.

In our second session with Donald Kau, Head of PR & Communications at the V&A Waterfront, he explains how layered planning — from traffic choreography to tenant coordination and real-time messaging — keeps Cape Town’s busiest precinct running smoothly during December’s peak.

In this episode of Echoes & Influence, we speak with Rob Rose and Sarah Buitendach from Currency — South Africa’s newest business journalism platform. They share how Currency aims to redefine financial storytelling, foster trust in a changing media landscape, and make business news sharper, deeper, and more relevant. NOTE: This conversation was recorded soon after the announcement about the Financ...

Donald Kau, Head of PR and Communications at Cape Town’s iconic V&A Waterfront, is a seasoned storyteller shaping one of South Africa’s most loved destinations. On Echoes & Influence, he shares insights into his career journey- from reading copies of Reader’s Digest at his grandmother’s house to managing the reputation of one of South Africa most-visited destinations, the V&A Waterfront. If you ha...

We were so excited when Sharon Piehl agreed to join us on the show.

Conversations about public relations and reputation management and why they matter. Whether you're a seasoned communications professional or just finding your feet, this podcast is a space to learn, reflect, and grow. Hosted by Joanne Smith of Pillar9, and content strategist Francois Rank of 2BFrank, Echoes and Influence explores the trends, disciplines and moments that define communications today...

Conversations about public relations and reputation management and why they matter. Whether you're a seasoned communications professional or just finding your feet, this podcast is a space to learn, reflect, and grow. Hosted by Joanne Smith of Pillar9, and content strategist Francois Rank of 2BFrank, Echoes and Influence explores the trends, disciplines and moments that define communications today...

Storytelling is an essential part of what we do as communications professionals. Building a narrative around a brand or personality through storytelling is what we do, but how does it work? How do we construct and tell stories that enhance brands and build their public profile. Jo and Franki get into that and more on this episode.

Alan Arguile is considered by many - especially Jo and Franki - as the finest crisis management practitioner working in the industry locally. He joined us to share his thoughts on what constitutes a crisis and how to manage the crisis when it comes. We also spoke about how to prepare teams to manage crisis when it does come.

What we do is all about relationships. It's about relationships with clients and service providers, but most of all it's about relationships with members of the media. In this episode, we discuss media relations. How do you build up a network of media contacts, and how do you maintain and service those relationships?

Welcome to Echoes and Influence, the show that explores the business of reputation strategy and crisis management for contemporary organisations and brands. In each episode reputation strategy and communication practitioners Joanne Smith and Francois Rank with share their own experience and insights or invite guests who are much cleverer than they are to shed light on the stuff you really ned to k...

Joanne Smith of Pillar9 and Francois Rank of 2BFrank discuss the role of Public Relations and Strategic Reputation Management in the contemporary business context. In this episode they explore why what they do is vital to businesses and brands and how it has evolved from simply churning out press releases to building and forming relationships in order to better position companies to be more resili...