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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.


When It Hits the Fan

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

Michelle Mone: Her PR Rise and Fall

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

Prince Harry and the Men in Grey Suits

We are living in troubling times when Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, feel they have to go to court to prove she is a woman. The couple's lawyer says 'a line has been crossed' by an online influencer who has repeatedly claimed Mrs Macron is a man. 

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the 'fight for truth'. Famous people and businesses used to be able to ignore or not comment on stories that were clearly untrue. But in the disinformation age, lies gain traction - and stick - faster than ever. So what are the PR challenges and risks of taking a stand when people have already made up their minds?

And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at arguably the toughest PR job in the country - the Archbishop of Canterbury. An announcement on who'll take up the position is expected in the next few weeks - and they face a huge challenge. They'll have a guaranteed platform, but what's the message? At a time when church leaders have written an open letter criticising the 'misuse' of Christian symbols during a march organised by the Far Right, is being controversial unavoidable?

Also, who's up and who's down? Yes, it's league table PR. As Oxford and Cambridge slip down the list of best universities, what dark arts are at play in similar lists? Can they be manipulated - and what are the real reputational risks of falling down the rankings?

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Why the Macrons are willing to bare all

It was only a few months ago that Prince Harry was being roundly criticised pretty much everywhere. An ill-judged and hot-headed BBC interview where he discussed the King's health did him few favours. And yet, this week, there has been a shift. 

In this week's episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss whether this is a genuine turning point for Harry's PR.

Also, in the extended edition on BBC Sounds, they'll explain why it might not all be over for the master of spin, Peter Mandelson. He may have been sacked and his reputation might be in ruins - but don't assume that means there aren't still plenty of people who'd like a quiet word with the 'Prince of Darkness' of PR.

And speaking of reputations being in the sewer, David and Simon will be talking about an actual one. The Tideway tunnel to be precise. What's surprising is that it's a £5bn infrastructure project that has come in pretty much on time and on budget - and yet, you probably haven't heard of it. Just why is it so much harder to get PR for good news compared to bad?

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Prince Harry's PR Comeback

Rebrands, name changes, financial black holes. Just what is going on with WH Smith?

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the reputation of a high street institution. With stores up and down the country now being called TG Jones, what sort of messaging - if any - has taken place between the new owners and Smith's existing customers? And with most of us looking for a cheap online deal, they'll also explain why retail PR is no longer the glamorous industry it once was.

And in the extended edition on BBC Sounds, who wants to live forever? Well the answer seems to be the leaders of China and Russia. President Xi Jinping and President Putin have been overheard discussing how the advances in biotechnology could lead to eternal life. This happened just before a social media frenzy suggesting President Trump had died. He hadn't. But in a world of increasingly elderly leaders, what are the PR challenges of persuading the rest of us that they're alive and well and fit for office?

Plus it's Coldplay versus KitKats. Yes, the summer has been bookended by two big sex scandals. One of them revealed very publicly at a Coldplay gig - the other, behind the closed doors of Nestle. But as Simon and David explain, the level of coverage a scandal receives doesn't always dictate how serious it is.

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Alas WH Smith and Jones

'PRs hold up the mirror and sometimes people don't like what they see.'

So say David Yelland and Simon Lewis in their final episode on golden rules.

This week, it's all about self-awareness and the ability to ask, 'Are we the bad guys?'. David and Simon look at why it's vital to understand how other people really see you or your business, because it changes how you behave.

And why it can lead to making far better PR decisions.

Part of the solution is to challenge groupthink and having the confidence to burst whatever bubble you're in.

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

7. Be Honest With Yourself

If you say you're going to hit a target, make sure you hit it.

Managing expectations is one of the most important golden rules of PR, according to David Yelland and Simon Lewis.

In this episode, they look at the pitfalls of over promising - both to shareholders and the public. It's far better for people to be pleasantly surprised at what you've achieved rather than wildly disappointed.

David and Simon look at real examples taken from the boardroom and politics to highlight the risks and rewards of getting this wrong and right.

It's all about making sure you can make the expectation become a reality.

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

6. Never Over Promise

Non attributable, authorised leaks, Chatham House rules. Briefing the media can be a baffling minefield.

In this episode on golden rules, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the art of going on and off the record.

They explain how it's possible to reveal and conceal vital or sensitive information, while protecting yourself and your clients in the process.

Just make sure you've made it very clear what is -and isn't - up for publication.

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

5. Know How To Go Off the Record

'Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.'

An excellent nugget of wisdom from boxing legend Mike Tyson. But you don't need to be heavyweight champion to understand where he's coming from.

In this episode on the golden rules of PR, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the importance of crisis planning - and why it's very common for those plans to go out the window the moment the crisis actually hits.

You might not be able to rehearse exactly what's going to happen but you can take steps to prepare for the worst.

David and Simon explain why it's vital to know who you can trust BEFORE the crisis hits -and why just turning your phone off and hoping everything will be ok probably isn't a smart move.

There's also talk of Simon hiding in a nuclear bunker.

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

4. Prepare For A Crisis

It's not quite two tribes going to war but it can feel like that.

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the complicated relationship between PR and the media. You know what story you want to tell but a journalist might have another idea entirely.

David and Simon examine the mistakes that even the top CEOs make when talking to reporters. And they explain the conflicting nature of the two worlds and how to navigate between them.

Top tip: Even if you've known a journalist for years - don't assume they're going to be on your side when things hit the fan.

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

3. The Media is Not Your Friend

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the use of 'royal sources' in Prince Andrew's China crises and reflect on the big ideas that have shaped our world in 2024. What are the common themes that might help us understand and navigate our increasingly uncertain world a bit better? 

They discuss how the Royal Family is the canary in the PR mine when it comes to dealing with the coming era of algorithms that work to channel negativity and disinformation, as well as the consequences of social media algorithms for all of us. 

What does this mean for what happens next in 2025? How best to get a clear message out in a polluted ocean of information? In our changing world, the enduring power of storytelling and connection will be needed more than ever.

Producer: Eve Streeter
Assistant Producer: Ella Blaxill
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: William Miller
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

2024: the big ideas that shaped our year

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