When It Hits the Fan

Finding the right words in a high-pressure situation is not easy - especially when the world is watching. But by common consensus, King Charles' speech to Congress was deemed pretty much pitch perfect.
This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel take you behind-the-scenes, into the writer's room. Who was involved in crafting the words, how did multiple people feed in and yet make it sound like a singular voice?
They explain why the speech worked for multiple audiences in today's 'fragment economy' - and how difficult themes were smuggled in or glossed over with a specific turn of phrase.
Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a similar message to the King's use of 'Keep Calm and Carry On'. As the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz continues, there's been a subtle shift in the Don't Panic messaging - both from government and business. As the ripples from the war look set to continue for many months, David and Farzana look at how we're being softened up for longer-term consequences.
And she's the Queen of Country - and it seems, the Queen of PR. Dolly Parton has managed that rare thing - to let her fans down while making them love her even more. She's had to cancel her Las Vegas residency due to ill health, but her video message explaining her decision was pitch perfect.
David and Farzana explain that authenticity is the key - as well as having a lifetime of goodwill to fall back on.
Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

There are jobs and there are jobs. And then there are jobs like being head of the FBI.
So when you're in that role and get accused of excessive drinking and unexplained absences from duty, the reputational risk is huge.
This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at how Kash Patel has handled the claims - from getting into heated verbal battles with reporters to launching a $250m defamation lawsuit citing 'false and obviously fabricated allegations'. What were his options?
As they explain, proving a negative can be one of the hardest jobs for those in the public eye.
On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, why the universally awful publicity around the new Michael Jackson movie doesn't seem to matter one jot. Despite widespread criticism for ignoring the dark side of Jackson's story, it's smashing box office records. Is the film a perfect example of 'omission PR'?
Also, how Apple's succession planning has been a total PR peach. David and Farzana explain how CEO Tim Cook mastered the graceful goodbye and what other leaders can learn from the manner of his departure from the role.
Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: William Miller
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

These are busy days in the world of crisis comms. Keeping calm is vital - keeping the public calm is even more vital.
David Yelland and Farzana Baduel explain what's going on behind-the-scenes everywhere - from supermarkets and airlines to energy companies - as concern rises that the war in Iran could affect supply lines.
They discuss the importance of being like a meerkat - horizon scanning - for potential public flashpoints. And why PRs have to come up with calming strategies to avoid dreaded words like 'rationing' causing chaos in the aisles and at the pumps.
On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, this isn't just any work/life balance, this is a Marks & Spencer work/life balance. CEO Stuart Machin says he doesn't think leaders should switch off while on holiday.
That might be the only way for those at the very top - but what message does it send out to those lower down the chain? David and Farzana discuss how part of the job as a PR is making bosses understand that not everyone thinks like they do.
Also, life is full of disappointments but how you handle them is what matters. As Wales saw their World Cup dreams vanish in penalty shootout heartache, manager Craig Bellamy elevated the post-match press conference by saying: "Tomorrow the sun will rise and I'm going to watch that sunrise."
Getting the message right in the heat of the moment is no easy thing, but he seemed to nail it.
Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

What happens when you cross enemy lines and join the other side?
As King Charles hires a Sky Royal correspondent for a top comms job at the Palace, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss what happens when journalists switch to PR.
Crucially, they need to learn how to go from broadcast to mute. No more fabulously indiscreet anecdotes involving the rich and powerful over dinner - they're now your clients and your job is to protect their reputation.
And that's just for starters. There are a whole load of different rules and shifts in power dynamics that can take years to fully understand.
Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, why Harry and Meghan have a window of golden PR opportunity - that could slam shut if they don't get their timing spot on. As David and Farzana explain, it's all to do with something called 'brand adjacency'.
Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In the good old days, if you wanted some favourable PR for a client, you could call up a journalist and take them out for a jolly good lunch. It's not so easy when the thing you're trying to influence is a bot. So is it possible to spin the likes of ChatGPT?
This week David Yelland is joined by Lauren Beeching - a crisis management expert with clients that count their followers in millions.
They discuss how AI is changing so much of the nuts and bolts of the PR reputation game - from having to become a tech wizard to work out if 'evidence' is real, to understanding how to influence what AI chatbots say.
And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, the Fan Hitter that almost broke the internet is back. The woman at the centre of the Coldplay KissCam scandal, Kristin Cabot, has done a big interview with Oprah - and discusses the PR advice she was given.
She claims she was told, "Stay quiet, everything will blow over in three days."
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: Eve Streeter
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4