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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

"They make really stupid basic mistakes and they are hopeless at PR."

If you're a podcast about PR, then that quote - made about the BBC this week - is a good place to start when assessing the reputation of the Corporation. 

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine the crisis engulfing the BBC. One which began with a leaked memo, resulted in two huge resignations and now has President Trump threatening to sue for $1bn.

How did we get here and did the BBC make some cardinal PR mistakes along the way?

Maybe the BBC could do with putting in a call to the man dubbed 'Drastic Dave'. On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at the risks and rewards of parachuting a 'superstar CEO' into a struggling company. In this case, it's Dave Lewis - who's now tasked with turning round drinks business Diageo. The company has seen an immediate bounce in its value, but how long can that PR honeymoon period last?

And what happens if you need to get hold of your CEO - superstar or otherwise - but they're not picking up? The answer, according to the boss of Heathrow, is to give them an extra loud phone. 

Thomas Woldbye says that's what he's now got - after sleeping through several alerts when the airport was hit by a huge power failure back in March. David and Simon recall moments from their own careers when they had to decide if, when and how to wake the boss. 

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

Is the BBC 'hopeless at PR'?

It was barely a fortnight - but in that time everything seemed to change.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the dramatic way Buckingham Palace responded to the growing crisis over the then-Prince Andrew. Going from an initial statement that seemed - to many - to get almost everything wrong to a second statement that went further than almost anyone was expecting.

Behind-the-scenes, just what was going on for the Royal comms team? What powers were at play, how was there such a gulf between the two statements and just how hard is it to react quickly when working for an institution as unwieldy as the Royal Family?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, we're on patrol with the 'Pleasure Police'. Well, that's who the gambling industry has in its sights as it fights to stop the sector being hit with higher taxes. But David and Simon think it's a particularly old fashioned type of PR campaign - complete with backing from The Sun and a slogan to Save Our Bets. With the Budget looming large, they examine whether these campaigns ever work.

And what price loyalty? John Lewis is making a fresh attempt to lure members into its flagship store - with the promise of free fizz, nibbles and arm massages. But beyond the pampering, how hard is it for brands and businesses to secure loyalty - and what are the reputational risks if you have to withdraw or adapt those perks?

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

Two Weeks that Shook the Palace

As PR moves go, it would surely have earned a '10 from Len'.

But what about the BBC's own communications team, who were seemingly as surprised as everyone else when Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were leaving Strictly Come Dancing?

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at what happens when a PR team is left blindsided by events. And while not strictly a double act, Tess and Claud are a Strictly double act - so it's a chance to discuss the challenges of how to bow out when your reputation is, at least in part, tied up with someone else.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, the Prince Andrew scandal still looms large. The clamour for some kind of decision on his living arrangements is only growing. As yet, there's nothing official. But there does seem to be an awful lot of briefing behind-the-scenes. David and Simon look at how this lack of formal information is playing out for both the King and Prince William.

And how many times have we heard there's a problem at head office? That seems to be the case at Waitrose. The supermarket chain has reversed its decision not to offer paid work to an autistic man after initially saying he had to stop stacking shelves at the store where he had volunteered for four years. 

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

The Strictly Bombshell

No more Duke of York, no more Order of the Garter. But he is still Prince Andrew. And he is still the King's brother.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how Buckingham Palace is trying to distance the Royal Family from the constant slew of damaging headlines. But many questions remain about the way it's being handled.

Why was Prince Andrew allowed to sound like he was giving up his titles voluntarily, in a statement that may be argued to show little contrition, focussing instead on his innocence? If it was a decision based on short-term PR pain, has it backfired spectacularly?

Buckingham Palace has asked the public to look at the King's Royal work rather than the scandals involving his brother. But if you're having to ask, have you already lost the argument?

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

The Prince Andrew Crisis

Victoria Beckham is no stranger to headlines. And now she's revealed that intense media scrutiny led to her developing an eating disorder. Cue more headlines. One particular article stood out, which asked why those around Victoria - including her PR team - didn't seem to address the problem at the time.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at what this tells us, not just about Victoria Beckham’s story, but the delicate line that people in the world of PR must tread when they are dealing with a client facing a highly sensitive and personal issue. How do you discuss the elephant in the room?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, we're on the comeback trail. Three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin has begun a very low-key return to her sport after serving a ban for 'excessively' whipping a horse. So far, she's not given any interviews. But is that sustainable - and what are the PR options for trying to return to the spotlight after a scandal?

Also, it's never a good idea to wind up a bear. Especially one from Darkest Peru with a serious marmalade habit. But that's what the makers of Spitting Image have done. 

The Michael Bond estate and Studio Canal - who make the Paddington films - are taking legal action after the much-loved bear was depicted as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed beast in a YouTube series. Time for David and Simon to sit down with Paddington and offer some reputational repair work.

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

What Victoria Beckham's revelation reveals about PR

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

In this special episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis unpick the PR levers being pulled behind the Heathrow airport shutdown caused by a fire at a local power substation – which left 300,000 passengers stranded, 1,300 flights cancelled and its CEO in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Was it wise to let it be known that CEO Thomas Woldbye was asleep when the decision was made to shut the airport? Or was it a leak?

In any crisis there is always a blame game - who are the winners and losers here?

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

Heathrow special: inside the crisis

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