Rachel Reeves’ PR pivot, how to talk to Trump and Bill Gates’ memoir

How do you PR a pivot and change the mood music as a politician? David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a look at the language Rachel Reeves is deploying as she tries to go for growth and what might lie behind the timing of AstraZeneca scrapping its UK vaccine plant.Also, the split that divides the world's PR elite - the political and business world is having to decide whether to follow Donald Trump's language or resist it, kowtow or fight. How do we all talk to America now?And a PR take on the publicity for Bill Gates' new memoir.Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In a rare, open and frank discussion, David Yelland and Simon Lewis go behind the scenes of The Sun newspaper's historic apology to Prince Harry, including for 'serious intrusion' by The Sun and unlawful activity by private investigators.There's no suggestion that any Sun journalist broke the law. But as a former editor of the paper during this time, what light can David shed on practices at Rupert Murdoch's company then - the use of private investigators and oversight of this, questioning sources, as well as protecting the privacy of Prince William and Prince Harry while they were at Eton? Will this settlement draw a line under the hacking scandal and Harry’s crusade against the tabloid press?Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

In the wake of Donald Trump’s inauguration, David Yelland and Simon Lewis decode what it means for how the 47th US president does business. For the tech billionaires in the court of King Donald, as in the days of yore, proximity to power is key. The court can be a risky place if your king is capricious, so stay close, give him what he wants and prove your loyalty – and hope you can still look yourself in the mirror.Also, what TikTok, crypto and the PR tactic of “flooding the zone” reveal about how the Trump presidency may play out.Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

As the LA wildfires continue to burn, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the challenge looming for US insurers that find themselves on the frontline of climate change communications - because it looks likely it's not the world's politicians who are going to explain to people the consequences of our warming planet, it's the insurance companies. Also, a fan-hitting Hollywood feud that has PR at the centre of it. What does the lawsuit between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reveal about the use of publicity smear campaigns?And - just what was behind the UK's biggest energy company warning about low levels of gas storage during the coldest week of the winter?Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins is our how-to guide to personal PR from the When It Hits the Fan team. David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their expert advice on how to navigate the working world like a pro. In these special short episodes, you'll lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes.In this episode David and Simon answer a listener's question on how to leave a job when you've only just started. They explain how to tactfully u-turn and quit before anyone notices.Producer: Ella Blaxill Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins is a series of short episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to help you navigate your own personal PR.In this episode, David and Simon answer a listener's question on how to use storytelling when presenting to your boss. They run us through their dos and don'ts when it comes to telling stories and presenting like a pro.Producer: Ella Blaxill Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

Quick Wins is our how-to guide to personal PR from the When It Hits the Fan team. David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their expert advice on how to navigate the working world like a pro. In these special short episodes, you'll lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes.In this episode they discuss how to recover from embarrassment at work. Mastering the art of the apology is key and remember, it may feel like the end of the world but no one's thinking about it as much as you are.Producer: Ella Blaxill Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

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

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these special short episodes, David Yelland and Simon Lewis give you lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes of your time.In this episode: how to survive the office party. Should the "hub and spoke" or the SAS-style approach be your strategy for the night? David and Simon share their work wisdom on how to make sure you emerge with only good stories to tell.Producer: Sophie Smith Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis assess one of the biggest fan-hitters in the history of the media industry - Rupert Murdoch’s failure to win the legal battle to control who takes the reins of his media empire. What does this defeat mean for the world’s most famous media mogul and his legacy?Also, in the wake of the shocking, fatal shooting of healthcare executive Brian Thompson in New York and the online reaction to it, how might this tragic event reshape the way business leaders relate to the world?And – when Disney CEO Bob Iger says he’s up at 4am, should we take notes? Why do so many business leaders go public with their early-bird morning routines?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