#FuturePRoof podcast
 

The #FuturePRoof podcast, now in its second series, is a conversation between Sarah and Stephen Waddington.

It covers the issues raised by the #FuturePRoof project, asserting the role of public relations as a management discipline in the organisations that it serves and society.

The show is available via iTunes, Libsyn and Spotify.

Episode 21, 2021

#FuturePRoof podcast: Socially Mobile update

Socially Mobile is a not for profit public relations school that aims to help practitioners achieve their earning potential. It is applying an executive education model to help address socio-economic diversity within the industry.

The project expects to launch its first cohort of students in October. The learning design is complete and content production underway. We're looking for support sharing the story of Socially Mobile with industry networks, candidate recruitment, and assessment and marketing.

We're grateful to the growing Socially Mobile community but especially donors, sponsors and teachers. Our sponsors include Astute.Work, CoverageBook, Curzon PR, Don't Cry Wolf, Porter Novelli, Story Comms and Wadds Inc.

For further information please visit sociallymobile.org.uk.

Episode 20, 2021

#FuturePRoof podcast: #FuturePRoof founder awarded CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours

in the latest #FuturePRoof podcast in which we discuss:

  • Big news as Sarah is awarded a CBE for services to public relations and the voluntary sectors in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

  • The launch of Socially Mobile – we’d love your support and will shortly be recruiting assessors – please watch this space and get involved.

  • Research from the National Centre for Universities and Business and the University of Cambridge shows the pandemic has caused a hiatus in R&D and innovation. The findings are a matter for concern considering the necessary role of innovation and R&D as the UK moves to strengthen its position as a global science superpower, as set out in the 2021 Queen’s Speech.

  • The lockdown boom for agency startups following publication of the latest Wadds Inc. report.

  • The federal government in Nigeria has banned Twitter. It has serious implications for democracy and public discourse.

  • The Brandwatch Customer Loyalty Report published in conjunction with GWI is worth a look for retailers wanting to know which issues they should be focusing on in 2021.

  • Ethics – the good, bad and the ugly of recent corporate behaviour.

Episode 19, 2021

#FuturePRoof podcast: Rethink and reconnect

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • The Conservatives had a good local election last week however Labour seems more disconnected than ever. Meanwhile the SNP has extended its lead in Scotland and is demanding a second vote on independence.

  • Actor, director and writer Noel Clarke was awarded the prize for outstanding British contribution to cinema by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Two weeks earlier BAFTA was informed about the existence of several allegations of verbal abuse, bullying and sexual harassment.

  • Income for the top 150 agencies was down 4.3% to £1.36 billion in 2020 compared to £1.42 billion in 2019, according to PRWeek. However more than 50 agencies launched during the COVID-19 pandemic between January 2020 to March 2021.

  • The PRCA UK National Conference: Communications and influence in the post-pandemic era is planned as an in-person event on 8 July. The CIPR (19 May) and PRFest (14-18 June) have also announced conferences on sustainability. Both are virtual.

  • ESG is both a label and an organising principle that represents everything about people and the planet. A new report by Stephen and Dr Jon White, published by Vuelio, explores the role of PR in supporting planning, horizon scanning, metrics and reporting.

  • David Gallagher and John O’Brien’s book Truth Be Told is Stephen’s recommendation of the month. Sarah’s shout out is for Rich Leigh and the team at RadioActive who have organised meetups in London and Manchester on 1 and 22 July respectively.

Episode 18, 2021

#FuturePRoof podcast: Lockdown eases in England

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • Report backlash: A commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report claims that the UK "no longer" has a system rigged against people from ethnic minorities. Denial doesn’t help anyone

  • Hybrid workplace: Employers reporting increased productivity benefits from homeworking compared to last summer according to the CIPD. We’ve found our home working rhythm

  • Shocking social: Amazon has gone on the offensive last week replying directly to critical tweets. 'Fake' Twitter users have rushed to Amazon's defense over unions and working conditions

  • Audio copycat: Clubhouse launched as a social audio platform in April 2020. Then Facebook and Twitter created live audio meeting rooms. Now startup Ping Pong allows audio and video messages to be shared in messaging channels

  • Silencing social: Facebook has followed Twitter in allowing users to limit who can respond to posts. The goal is the make social media a safe space but could limit public discourse

  • Volkswagen fools: April Fools was cancelled this year apart from Volkswagen which rebranded as Voltswagen. The results were predictable

  • Round-up: Elizabeth Bananuka has launched the #TheXec leadership scheme for Black, Asian, Mixed Race & Ethnic Minority PR & comms. New books published from John O'Brien and David Gallagher on purpose, and Jenni Field on internal communicationsEpisode 17, 2021

Episode 17, 2021

#FuturePRoof podcast: Can I go back to the office yet?

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • When is a PR disaster not a PR disaster? – Ryanair on UK government support for airlines, Allen vs Farrow, and Gordon Beattie’s resignation

  • Royal protocol – statements from both Buckingham Palace and Meghan Markle are an extraordinary breach of traditional protocol

  • Future of the office - we should listen to the voice of the future workforce as we make plans for the future

  • Blowing smoke - British American Tobacco’s use of influencers and emerging forms of media raises ethical issues for the marketing and public relations professions

  • Budget highlights – corporation tax ladder rising from 19% to 25% in 2023, levelling up agenda, furlough extended, and VAT freeze for the hospitality and tourism

  • Leader Like Me Conference - learn from these industry experts who will share stories, strategies and their own learnings on 23 March

  • WaddsCon – up next on 26 March: search listening, the PR post COVID-19, qualitative research using bots, and PR’s opportunity to win back SEO budgets

Episode 16, 2021

#FuturePRoof podcast: We are all Jackie Weaver

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • Democracy is alive and well – Clerk Jackie Weaver bring orders to a chaotic and bad tempered Handforth Parish Council

  • Share of search - The IPA is promoting share of search as a metric for advertising effectiveness. There’s limited evidence of its validity outside large FMCG markets

  • Charity Commission - Charities that support contentious causes should expect scrutiny if they campaign on those issues according to the outgoing chair of the Charity Commission Tina Stowell

  • PR industry bounce back - Recruitment is a leading indicator of an economic recovery. In PR and digital marketing it has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels but several sectors remain challenged

  • Exit from lockdown – While we await the publication of the Government’s plan to exit lockdown, organisations are planning a move to a hybrid working environment. It’s unlikely we see the end of the office

  • Free market economies are damaging the natural environment by failing to place a value on natural assets according to The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review

  • Talking to Strangers – Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book explores the biases that we bring to meeting new people

  • Lockdown Unconference – You’re invited to join a new Unconference learning and development event on 26 February

Episode 15, 2020

#FuturePRoof podcast: An end of year thank you letter

The #FuturePRoof team share an end of year thank you letter.

  • Communicators:  Marcus Rashford, Burger King, and Unilever’s Alan Jope

  • Media: BBC’s Hugh Pym, Sky’s Kay Burley, Manchester Evening News’ Jennifer Williams and editorial teams at CNN, The New York Times and Tortoise

  • Writing we’ve admired: Marina Hyde, Nafisa Ali Shafiq, Katrina Marshall, and Sharon O’Dea

  • Communities of change: Elizabeth Bananuka’s BME PR Pros, and Priya Bates and Advita Patel’s A Leader Like Me

  • Membership organisations: CBI, NHS Providers, CIPR and PRCA

  • Ones to watch: Shayoni Lynn’s Lynn PR, Kristian Hogard’s Simply Thought, Paul Stollery and Darryl Sparey’s Hard Numbers, and Nik Govier’s Blurred

  • Best books: Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, and Scott Galloway’s Algebra of Happiness and Post Corona

  • Reasons to be optimistic: vaccine, community and altruism, ESG agenda and the opportunity for a green recovery

Episode 14, 2020

#FuturePRoof podcast: A week is a long time in PR

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • As the US election count continues the US media has found its voice and is calling out the President’s lies. What took you so long?

  • Sarah is proofing the fifth edition of #FuturePRoof. It tells the story of how the NHS managed the first wave of the crisis through the voices of communication practitioners

  • Stephen has been investigating search listening. It’s a way of understanding what people are saying about brands and markets and the questions that they are asking

  • England entered its second lockdown this week as Wales emerged from a so-called circuit breaker. Scotland is under lock restrictions. How are you coping?

  • Organisations face scrutiny over their purpose as COVID-19 continues. Sainsbury’s is set to issue a £231m dividend after benefiting from £230m business rates relief.

  • Presenting via a video camera over the internet is an entirely different skill to presenting at a physical event. We’re all learning as we go. We’ve got some suggestions

  • The ICCO and PRII Conferences spotlighted opportunity for public relations in helping organisations emerge from the crisis and manage BREXIT

  • The Pros Winter Series on 2 December is a date for your diary. Headline speakers include Lord Simon Wooley, Zing Tsjeng, Trevor Robinson and Samira Ahmed

Episode 13, 2020

#FuturePRoof podcast: Asif Choudry is our #CommsHero

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

Episode 12, 2020

#FuturePRoof podcast: new books in the works

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • Agencies and communication teams continue to navigate a challenging environment, but their work has never been more valued

  • The UK’s reputation internationally is under scrutiny because of Brexit negotiations

  • Demos finds society more divided than ever before, and no sign of leadership to bring together polarised factions

  • Kellogg’s, the manufacturer of Pringles, and Rio Tinto are two companies under scrutiny because of corporate and social responsibility issues

  • Sarah has two new #FuturePRoof books in the works: a special BAME edition and an exploration of how NHS communicators responded to COVID-19

  • Upcoming events: the PRCA Annual Conference and CommsHero week

  • The latest #FuturePRoof survey aims to explore how the PR industry continues to be impacted by COVID-19. Please share your views

Episode 11, 2020

#FuturePRoof podcast: tackling the PR industry’s lack of diversity and organisational racism

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • Cultural grief following the tragic and unlawful death of George Floyd in the US and how organisations should respond, with reference to Katrina Marshall’s thoughtful article for #FuturePRoof, published on #BlackoutTuesday 

  • Why the white community needs to educate itself about the #BlackLivesMatter movement and practical steps we can all take, with thanks to guidance from BME PR Pros founder Elizabeth Bananuka

  • The good - and mainly bad - of recent brand responses and the need for actions over words

  • Some news about the launch of Stephen’s new professional advisory firm – gun for hire!

  • A reminder about the latest events and support out there including PRFest

Episode 10, 2020

#FuturePRoof podcast: Business interventions for COVID-19

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

Episode 9, 2020

#FuturePRoof podcast: Do your best, keep calm, wash your hands, and carry on

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • It’s been a long week as COVID-19 impacts the UK

  • The challenge of shifting a workforce to virtual working

  • How to manage uncertainty, leadership and practical steps to take

  • Job security and finding PR and marketing work

  • Dealing with disinformation: social media and messaging

  • The crisis response starts in the community

Episode 8, 2020

#FuturePRoof podcast: #bekind

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • Press and social media regulation following the Caroline Flack story. It’s an issue that Paul Sutton covers in the latest edition of Digital Download

  • Not your cup of tea? Where is the limit for brand banter? LNER and Yorkshire Tea take different approaches to customer service and promotion

  • Noisy news cycle: Boris baby has bumped big news stories down the agenda including floods, Coronavirus and high profile political resignations

  • Coronavirus: clarity, consistency and honesty are critical to allaying public fear and restricting the spread. The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS and WHO provide exemplars

  • Diary dates: PRCA Schools outreach programme, inaugural #FuturePRoof conference with PRCA and the IoD, and PRFest

Episode 7, 2019

#FuturePRoof podcast: Media in a mess

In the latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

  • City PR firm Tulchan has appointed former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson as an advisor. You can’t legislate and lobby

  • Are you helping your organisation prepare for Brexit? We talk about the opportunity for PR practitioners

  • It’s not just social media that is being used to share disinformation. Journalists need to be critical voices and name sources

  • Facebook is facing pressure in the UK and US over political ads. Legislation is urgently required but isn’t forthcoming

  • A new #FuturePRoof project aims to give public relations a voice in the fast growing market of influencer marketing.

  • The BBC is in danger of losing younger audiences, and its journalists need to up their game.

  • BME PR Pros and W Communications initiatives to tackle diversity in public relations are welcomed

Episode 6, 2019

#FuturePRoof podcast A short rant for our listeners

  • Sarah spent her summer holidays writing a guide to countering disinformation for professional communicators

  • The CIPR Election is underway and both Sarah and Stephen are backing Mandy Pearse for President in 2021

  • Stephen is working with Scott Guthrie and Vuelio to write a guide to earned and owned media governance for influencer marketing

  • Home Secretary Priti Patel, herself a professional communication, has pitted police social media managers against front line officers this week

  • The PRCA has a pulse survey underway to characterise the market for virtual agencies

  • We share our summer reading list tips: How to be right, The Social CEO, and The Leadership Challenge

Episode 5, 2019

#FuturePRoof Podcast Celebrating Mary Meeker

Sarah and Stephen Waddington celebrate the latest State of the Internet Report by analyst Mark Meeker. The 300+ page annual report is packed with insights on internet adoption, devices and platforms; the internet ad market; content formats; and observations on disruptive business models and markets.

Episode 4, 2019

#FuturePRoof Podcast Celebrating over 60s in public relations

Protecting your creative ideas and intellectual property with a shout out to Manifest’s work for Brewdog

  • The PRCA Census 2019 which finds the PR industry in the UK is worth £15billion and employs 95,000 people but isn’t making progress on diversity and socioeconomic issues despite best efforts

  • The Cision Global State of the Media Report 2019 with insights for pitching to time-pressed over worked journalists

  • The influence of the Trump playbook in local politics in the North East during the North of Tyne Mayoral election

  • Book recommendations: Airhead by Emily Maitlis and The Joy of Work by Bruce Daisley

Episode 3, 2019

#FuturePRoof Podcast LinkedIn porn, don’t do it kids

In this edition Sarah and Stephen discuss: Tim Berners-Lee and the Internet at 30; the House of Lords Select Committee report on Internet regulation; Senator Elizabeth Warren‘s blast at tech platforms in Presidential bid; Facebook and Instagram outage; the Organ Donation 'opt out' bill receives Royal Assent; Red Nose Day backlash; International Women’s Day washing; #CommsSchool on how to blog; and environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

Episode 2, 2019

#FuturePRoof Podcast Socially Mobile 

In this latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we ask whether the Fyre Festival was less a PR disaster or more bad business. We explore the Edelman Trust Barometer and find good news for employee advocacy. Professional blogging is changing as people find news ways to create content and build networks. There’s a new initiative from the CIPR on procuring professional services and the PRCA has launched a virtual agency group. Stephen’s created a virtual school to help students build their professional profile and get ahead, and Sarah’s launching a charity to tackle social mobility through educational grants.  

Episode 1, 2019

#FuturePRoof Podcast Robots to try at home

Sarah Hall and Stephen Waddington are back. In this show they discuss publicity, books, objectives and jobs for 2019, and robots.

The #FuturePRoof podcast is back after a hiatus last year when work got in the way of recording. In the latest issue we discuss:


Media Show response: PR is more than publicity

The Art of Public Relations is the title of a recent Media Show programme on BBC Radio 4 in which publicity is conflated with public relations. It would be wrong to deny that media relations is part of public relations but our business is so much more. We set the record straight.


Fairy tale of public relations

Sarah published a new #FuturePRoof book at the end of 2018. It’s a bit different from the norm. Once upon a time in PR profiles 21 pioneers who are shaping the role of public relations as a management discipline. It includes academics, practitioners and teachers.


Your 2019 reading list

If you’re looking for inspiration or to further your own professional development this month, here’s a selection of books we’ve read over the holiday break, that we recommend.

Danny Whatmough and Tony Langham’s books are from a new series produced by the PRCA and published by Emerald that provide a rock solid introduction to different aspects of public relations.


CIPR focus on management agenda

Sarah’s year as President of the CIPR has a reached a conclusion. In 2019 as Past President she’ll be developing the relationship with the CBI and Federation for Small Business. She’s also looking to drive public relations onto the agenda for management courses at UK universities.


New year, new job

I’ve joined Metia as the MD in London. We’ve developed some smart tools and processes in insight, content, demand and analytics to deliver business-to-business marketing campaigns at scale with a relentless focus on measurement. More on that in future podcasts. The agency also has offices in Seattle, Austin, and Singapore.


Tips: three robots to try at home

If you want an indication of the potential of robots to replace roles in our profession, load an image of an individual into Remove. It’ll clip the background, a job that would previously require a designer.

There’s a growing third party market of relatively low cost smart devices that integrate with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. We’ve starting using WiFi sockets to control lighting and our slow cooker.

Thread.com is our final robot recommendation. It suggests and delivers clothing for men from a range of brands, based on a profile of you. It’s backed up by first rate customer service.

Series 2 / 2018

Episode 4 A conversation at BledCom

Sarah Hall and Stephen Waddington talk about the highlights of BledCom 2018, the 25th international public research symposium. Presentations and panel discussions tackled the conference headline - A World in Crisis: The Role of Public Relations. Sarah and Stephen talk about PR for good and bad, media, professionalism, organisational purpose, education and the relationship between academia and practice.

Episode 3 Celebrating the NHS at 70 and the future of healthcare
In this edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast Sarah Hall and Stephen Waddington discuss: the value of earned media and the Royal Wedding; Twitter timeline troll tweaks; WPP post-Sorrell; the impact of tech on PR skills; Facebook’s dating app; Google Home Assistant and other robots; Childish Gambino’s This is America; the Government Communication Plan 2017/18; a new Platinum podcast with Prof Anne Gregory and Dr Jon White on PR as a management discipline; and the Cluetrain Manifesto.

Episode 2 Stop posting shit on the internet
In this edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast Sarah Hall and Stephen Waddington discuss the CIPR; Facebook; Wetherspoons; #AIinPR; and the #FuturePRoof NHS project.

Episode 1 How was half term for you? 
Accountable leadership; persuasion and polarised media; influencing Brexit; the PRCA’s diversity toolkit; and tech in public relations.

Series 1 / 2017

Breaking and mending stuff
Abuse on social media, diversity, Storify’s closure, Time’s person of the year, #AIinPR and goals for 2018.

Slurp, slop and scrawl
#PRin2018; Cluetrain Manifesto; local media debate.

Celebrating the CIPR and the NHS at 70
#CIPR70; Twitter discourse; implications on society of decline in regional media; and a new #FuturePRoof project.

Waterproofs and winter clothes
The PRCA's ruling on Bell Pottinger, OFCOM and European Communication Monitor reports, the CIPR election, social media platform updates, and Twitter's application as a customer service tool.

Strawberry picking
#PRfest, Cannes, the UK General Election, May Meeker’s annual report and image recognition.

An afternoon snifter
Fake news, social media speculation, the Croatian Public Relations Association conference and support for students.

You’re such a tease
A special edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast reviewing the PRFest in Edinburgh.

Squeaky toys
Measurement, a capabilities framework for public relations, mental health, the CIPR at 70, and #PRfest.

#FuturePRoof