Public Relations Stories and Strategies

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Are public relations and marketing two distinct disciplines—or is PR simply one piece of the broader marketing puzzle? It’s a question that stirs up strong opinions in boardrooms, agencies, and comms teams alike.  Some argue PR is strategic storytelling aimed at building relationships, while marketing is focused o...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Most PR strategies still focus on the big three: social, legacy media, and search. But while everyone’s watching the headlines, the real conversations—the ones shaping trust, behavior, and brand reputation—are happening in people’s ears. Podcasts aren’t just a trend or another content format. They’re a strategic i...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode What does public relations look like in a country where radio is still growing, social media still exploding, and communication reaches from rural villages to global platforms?   In this episode, we take a closer look at Zambia — a nation with a vibrant, evolving PR landscape shaped by both tradition and innovatio...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Employee engagement is evolving — and the old assumptions no longer hold. Today, workers want more than a paycheck. They want growth, flexibility, and to feel like their voices matter. In this episode, we unpack surprising new research on what really drives engagement, retention, and belonging inside organizations...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode More Americans are turning down the volume on domestic news — and turning up British voices instead. From BBC to The Guardian, outlets across the Atlantic are reshaping how U.S. audiences see their own country.  Why is this happening? And what does it say about trust, tone, and the global conversation?  Listen For...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Feeling stuck or stressed at work? You might just need to GROW your way out.   Executive coach Sarah Waddington shares the power and practicality of the GROW model — Goal, Reality, Options, Way forward — in transforming workplace performance, especially within high-pressure environments like PR.  Sarah breaks down...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Reputation is often treated like an invisible asset—vital but fragile. And while we insure everything from homes to art collections, very few think to protect their name.  In this episode, we speak to PR pioneer Mark Borkowski about a bold new product: crisis insurance for individuals. It’s not just an idea—it’s a...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode What makes a workplace culture truly thrive—especially in the pressure-cooker world of creative agencies?  Can you REALLY be tough on the work but kind to your people without compromise? Jo Carr, co-founder of Hope and Glory and President of Women in PR breaks down the complexities of workplace culture, empathy-dr...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode In an age where opinions form faster than facts and headlines spark outrage before understanding, how do brands, leaders, and storytellers stay credible?  Is your opinion truly yours? Or just an echo of your tribe? In this episode, Suhel Seth unpacks the transformation of communication in the era of attention defi...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode What happens when the man behind the headlines becomes the headline?   Former tabloid editor and Downing Street comms chief Andy Coulson opens up about his very public fall from grace — from resignations and scandal to serving time in prison — and how he rebuilt his life and career in the shadow of cancel culture....

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode The media landscape is changing – and fast.  In this episode, Tina McCorkindale, President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations, breaks down the shift away from traditional news and the rise of emerging media. Drawing on insights from a recent survey with PepperCom, she explores how trust in media is evol...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode The public relations industry has long been recognized as a female-dominated field, with women making up approximately two-thirds of the workforce. However, when it comes to leadership, women remain significantly underrepresented, comprising just one-third of top-tier roles. This disparity raises critical question...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Curzon Public Relations CEO, Farzana Baduel , joins the world’s most-listened-to PR podcast, as Guest Resident Co-Host! Alongside host Doug Downs, SCMP and producers Emily Page and David Olajide MPRCA , this season will explore PR through a truly global lens—tackling industry challenges, leadership insights, and t...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Ideas shape the world, but only when they’re communicated effectively. Some individuals have a remarkable ability to present their ideas in a way that captivates, influences, and inspires. A well-crafted and powerfully delivered idea doesn’t just inform—it transforms.  Imagine if you could unlock the exact techniq...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode This episode is in honour of Podcasthon and in support of the Canadian Cancer Society When facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis, how much does communication—between doctors, patients, and loved ones—truly matter?  In this deeply moving episode, Doug Downs sits down with Tim Kelter and Pete Paczko, two men with...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode What if the key to development isn’t learning more—but unlearning first?  In this episode, we explore how rural communities in underdeveloped nations can shape their own futures by moving beyond Western-imposed models of engagement.  Professor Anne Gregory, shares insights from her research in rural Indonesia, whe...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode In a world where technology is increasingly intertwined with human emotions, a new frontier is emerging—artificial intelligence that can understand how we feel. Imagine an AI system that doesn’t just analyze data but senses our emotional state through the words we choose, the way we describe our experiences, and e...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode This episode originally published in May 2024. At the end of 2023, PRSA assembled a group of 25 senior communicators from a wide range of industries, in-house and firms, for an additional meeting, with several follow-up meetings with subject matter experts, all spearheaded by Ray Day, 2024 PRSA Chair-elect. Three...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Personal branding isn’t just for influencers or CEOs—it’s for anyone who wants to stand out, build trust, and create new opportunities.  Whether you’re an employee, entrepreneur, or freelancer, the way you present yourself can open doors or close them.  In today’s digital world, people aren’t just hiring résumés—t...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Ever created a PR or communications plan, only to stash it away and forget about it? You’re not alone.   Guest Michelle Garrett breaks down why so many businesses struggle to execute their PR strategies—and what they can do to fix it.  You need to set clear goals, measure meaningful metrics beyond just media menti...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode As brands seek to cut through the digital noise, a fascinating trend has emerged: recording conversations with CEOs and decision-makers to create authentic, shareable content that humanizes their leadership. Kendall Breitman shares her insights on why this strategy is resonating with brands and audiences and how s...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Fractional Leadership is a growing, and possibly permanent, trend of fractional leadership and why it’s becoming a permanent shift in the business world. As organizations face leadership gaps, budget constraints, and rapidly evolving challenges, fractional leaders—experienced executives hired on a part-time basis—...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode TikTok is a powerful social media tool in the United States. About 170 million Americans use the platform and for many marketing and PR agencies it’s the preferred go to tool. The average time on TikTok in 2024, per user, is estimated to be 58 minutes per day.  But several governments have banned TikTok from being...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Communication is the most important weapon a Navy SEAL can carry—more vital than physical strength, endurance, or even firepower. I was in Salt Lake City recently at a conference and saw former Navy SEAL William Branum speak. He served for 26 years with the US Navy and 23 of those years was a Navy SEAL. In his pre...

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Soft Power. It’s the concept of influence… not control – and it can shape global perceptions, drive brand loyalty, and create lasting impact. In this episode we learn what soft power really means, how it differs from traditional PR, and how companies can use it to build trust, foster connections, and stand out in...