The Digital PR Podcast

Steve and Lou are joined by Alex Cassidy , Managing Director of NeoMam Studios, for a special bonus episode of the Digital PR Podcast, hosted live at Propellernet HQ. They discuss generative AI, fake experts and the fight to keep PR human. Alex shares why NeoMam has kept generative AI out of its workflows, the story behind the fake experts investigation with Press Gazette, and what the shift towar...

Steve and Lou are joined by Sarah Waddington CBE , CEO of the PRCA, the world's largest professional body for PR, public affairs and communications. Sarah shares her vision for unifying the PR industry, from breaking down the divide between digital and traditional PR to tackling fake experts, class barriers and gender inequality. She also unpacks the PRCA's new definition of PR, reflects on her de...

Steve and Lou are joined by journalist, editor and AI trainer Harriet Meyer to unpack what AI is actually changing in newsrooms, PR teams and editorial workflows. From research and analysis to campaign planning, disclosure, trust and responsible use, Harriet shares where AI is genuinely useful, where it is mostly noise, and why human judgement still matters more than ever. If you're working in PR,...

Lou and Steve are joined by freelance journalist Rosie Taylor to discuss how AI is reshaping the relationship between PRs and journalists. They explore the rise of AI-generated content, fake experts and increased verification pressures in newsrooms, alongside what this means for trust, pitching and media relations. Rosie shares what makes a pitch stand out, why exclusives and relevance matter, and...

In this episode of the Digital PR podcast, Louise Parker and Steve Baker are joined by Gini Dietrich, founder and CEO of Spin Sucks, to explore the future of comms in an AI-fuelled, fractured media landscape. They dive into the origins and evolution of the PESO model, and how it’s become a strategic operating system for modern marketing and comms teams. Gini shares how AI is changing everything fr...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Louise Parker and Steve Baker are joined by Lisa Paasche, mentor, advisor, and founder of Verve Search, for a conversation about building one of the most influential digital PR agencies, and what it’s really like to sell the business you built from scratch. Lisa reflects on the bold creative shifts that fuelled Verve’s success and shares what it takes to...

Is traditional link building finally dead... or has it just had a rebrand? In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Louise Parker and Steve Baker are joined by Vince Nero, Director of Content Marketing at BuzzStream, to unpack the future of outreach in a world where coverage is harder to win, attribution is messier than ever and quality beats quantity every time. They explore the differences bet...

AI is reshaping the creative industry – but is it helping or harming the work? In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Louise Parker and Steve Baker speak to Creative Director Joe Goulcher, known for his outspoken takes on AI, ethics and originality. Joe shares why he refuses to use generative AI in his work, how leading brands are pushing back against the hype, and why consent, craft and credi...

AI is being used to create fake experts and manipulate media – and it’s changing journalism forever. In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Louise Parker and Steve Baker speak to journalist Rob Waugh, whose investigations have exposed how AI tools are being used to create fake personas, fake commentary and fake credibility. Rob reveals how he uncovered these stories, what’s driving the rise in...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Louise Parker and Stephen Baker sit down with Brett Farmiloe, Founder of Featured and current leader of HARO (Help a Reporter Out). Together, they unpack the evolving landscape of expert commentary and media outreach, exploring how to stand out in a world increasingly cluttered by AI-generated spam. Brett shares practical insights into what makes a pitch...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Louise Parker and Stephen Baker are joined by Rand Fishkin, co-founder of SparkToro and long-time trailblazer in digital marketing, for a conversation about what’s next for PR in an AI-forward industry. They explore why a fixation on backlinks is no longer fit for purpose, and how a smarter, audience-first approach is key to long-term success. Rand unpack...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Louise Parker is joined by Stephanie Finch to explore the evolving landscape of digital PR – with a particular focus on the growing challenges of link building. As media policies shift and AI transforms how we search, they discuss why it’s time to rethink traditional success metrics. From declining link-to-coverage ratios to the rising importance of brand...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Steve Baker is joined by Raquel Pinto, a digital PR expert at Propellernet, to explore how AI is transforming media outreach. Rather than just a content tool, Raquel sees AI as a strategic thinking partner – helping PR professionals work faster, think sharper, and pitch more effectively. From treating AI like an intern to stress-testing hooks and unearthi...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, we’re joined by Stella Bayles, Co-Founder and Director of PR Tool CoverageBook and author of ‘PR's Digital Resolution’, to talk about how PR measurement is evolving – and where it still needs to catch up. Stella shares her perspective on how automation, AI, and SEO techniques have transformed PR reporting, from saving time to proving true business impact....

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, we’re joined by Alex Cassidy, Head of Digital PR at Distinctly, to talk about all things AI and how it’s reshaping our industry. From setting up an internal AI task force to exploring the limits (and risks) of generative tools, Alex shares his view on what’s working, what isn’t, and why human insight still matters. We dig into how AI can be used to sharpe...

In this episode of The Digital PR Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Lauren Spearman, a TikTok creator and marketing expert with a wealth of experience from top brands like Benefit Cosmetics and Made.com. Lauren shared her journey through the ever-evolving marketing landscape, her advocacy for fair hiring practices, and provided invaluable advice for both job seekers and hiring managers...

In this episode of The Digital PR Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Charlie Clark, founder of Minty Digital, a search marketing agency based in sunny Barcelona. We explored the intricacies of digital PR in Europe and the cultural nuances involved in pitching to journalists in Spain. Charlie highlighted the significance of cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, as well a...

In this episode of The Digital PR Podcast, we dive into the evolving landscape of search and social media with Ray Saddiq, the Global Head of Marketing at Rise at Seven. We discuss if TikTok is a search engine, exploring how user behaviour is shifting and how social platforms are redefining the search journey. Ray shares his insights on the unique features of TikTok that make it a powerful tool fo...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sophie Mawby, a seasoned in-house PR professional with 20 years experience under her belt. Sophie shared her journey into the world of PR, from her early work experience at a small agency to her current role as Head of Communications at Yoto, a children’s audio platform. We discussed how the rise of influencer marketin...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Steve and Lou welcome Stephen Kenwright , the Director of Strategy and Digital Marketing at Ride Shotgun , a brand and creative agency. Stephen, who is also known for being the co-founder of Rise at Seven, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of digital PR and the critical role of brand building in this space. Join the conversation that challenge...

Steve and Lou are joined by Paul Stollery , Co-Founder and Creative Director of Hard Numbers . Paul shares his journey from SEO to founding his own agency during 2020 and highlights the importance of measurement and accountability in PR. Addressing the somewhat controversial topic of coverage guarantees and the evolving landscape of digital PR, they discuss a unique model that promises clients spe...

Steve and Lou are back with a brand-new season of the Digital PR Podcast! We will be bringing you more incredible guests and lots of interesting conversations we can’t wait for you to hear. Make sure to follow so you don’t miss an episode! – About the Digital PR Podcast Hosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve , we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022...

In this minisode, Steve is joined by Digital PR Director Maddie Davies, for a chat about how tapping into your client's niche can give a fresh perspective on current events, awareness days, pop culture and seasonality. They cover how to find an in for your client to get their voice heard and cut through the noise. 00:00:00 - Introduction: Maddie returns to the Digital PR Podcast and sets the stage...

Not everyone in Digital PR has a traditional or linear career path. But will that set you back in the short, medium or long term? Steve wants to find out, so join us as he delves into Chloe's intriguing career journey, which she describes as a "wonky" or "squiggly" path into the world of PR, starting with a degree in biomedical science! Chloe highlights the importance of being proactive, willing t...

In this episode of the Digital PR Podcast, Steve chatted to Lena Thees, a Senior Digital PR Executive at Propellernet who specialises in the German market. Lena shared insights into the differences between the German and UK media landscapes, highlighting the formality and longer lead times in Germany. She emphasised the importance of being direct and avoiding clickbait when pitching to German jour...