When It Hits the Fan

This week David Yelland and Simon Lewis go behind the scenes as the Royal Family tries to cope with Omid Scobie’s new book Endgame, which appears to be from "Team Meghan". When is "no comment" the best strategy? David and Simon delve into the never-talked about world of obituary PR and reveal the horse-trading and lobbying that goes on behind closed doors. And the battle being fought between Ridley Scott and historians over the film Napoleon – should facts get in the way of a good story? Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

After a week in which some top people in British politics have lost or given up their jobs, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the strange case of OpenAI’s Sam Altman, the artificial intelligence superstar whose overnight ousting – and very quick re-employment – sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley. Everton Football Club in crisis – how do you utilise PR in the emotional cauldron that is the Premier League? And we take you into the world of schmoozing that is political PR – it’s the return of the Prawn Cocktail Offensive.This episode was recorded before Sam Altman's surprise return to OpenAI as CEO with a new board.Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

As the King marks his 75th birthday, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how the Palace is using artificial intelligence to track public sentiment, what series six of The Crown means for the Royal PR strategy, and the thorny issue of Prince Harry’s court crusade. Also in this episode – Shell’s drive to change how 18 to 24 year olds feel about fossil fuels. And Pharrell Williams' million-dollar handbag for Louis Vuitton – why it is good PR to make people jealous and mad as hell?Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

Rishi Sunak’s fireside chat with Elon Musk following the UK’s AI Safety Summit has been criticised as a PR disaster for the Prime Minister. But was it really a fan-hitting moment for him? Or just a vision of the future new world order? Also, as Robert de Niro is in court in the US battling out a very public spat with his former assistant, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the often hidden role of litigation PR. And the controversy surrounding the Marks and Spencer Christmas ad – is sorry always the best way to avoid a fan-hitting moment? Plus reverse ferrets, bear traps and lonely sheep…Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

David Yelland and Simon Lewis assess the endgame around former CEO Alison Rose’s departure from NatWest. With a forensic PR eye they return to the scene of her fan-hitting moment at a charity dinner where she sat next to the BBC business editor Simon Jack. What tricks of the trade do communications people have up their sleeves to avoid a PR disaster like this one? And how will the debate around Alison Rose’s pay-out affect her reputation? The consumer giant Unilever is in the news for apparently rolling back on its social purpose. Having spent years leading the way for sustainable business, was it all just PR, or was it real? How far are the culture wars derailing Unilever’s values? And as speculation builds around the line-up for the next series of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, David and Simon discuss whether going into the jungle can ever be classed as good PR.Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

Following the release of Britney Spears’ autobiography David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the wisdom of the tell-all memoir. How does it measure up as a PR strategy? Also, BT’s “blink and you may have missed it” rebranding to EE – will a customer backlash make the company regret downgrading this great British brand? And finally, as Meryl Streep announces the end of her marriage… six years ago, they look at how timing is everything when it comes to making big announcements and how to make hot news not news at all.Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the decision of Captain Tom’s family to enter the lion’s den in a TV interview with Piers Morgan in a bid to clear their name. Also, they chat about the public relations problems at Barclays Bank, and a leaf straight out of the PR playbook from the Jockey Club.A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss “PR-ing the impossible” - the dirty business of representing the tobacco industry. Also, controlling the narrative – what the new Beckham Netflix documentary tells us about David and Victoria’s three decades of fame and how they’ve managed it. And they’ll be looking at an Eton Mess - and we don’t mean the pudding. What do you do when you're the new Eton provost and an interview from 1988 comes back to haunt you?Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the soft power of one of the most influential people in the United States right now. It’s not a man, it’s not even a very old man. It’s a 33-year-old woman who seems to have Fox News, Donald Trump and the Republican Party running scared - Taylor Swift. With half a billion social media followers and a growing political influence among her fans, we look at how she might derail Donald Trump’s ambitions to return to the White House.Turning to GB News after what must have been a week of crisis meetings, David and Simon spotlight the news channel's co-owner Paul Marshall, who may even be the next owner of The Telegraph newspaper and whose reputation is on the line following the disgrace of Lawrence Fox.And, they’re talking Feargal Sharkey – why the pop star turned campaigner is a thorn in the side of Britain’s water industry.Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

In the wake of Rupert Murdoch's retirement, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss a tale of two successions and how the fates of one of the world’s biggest media dynasties and the Royal Family became paradoxically intertwined. They look at the latest fan-hitting moment for Britain’s HS2 project, which could mean the end of the line for northerners. And “your old meter could catch fire” – why British Gas might be regretting its latest email to customers.Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: William Miller Researcher: Sophie Smith Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4