

The Digital PR Podcast
Propellernet
The Digital PR Podcast is your essential podcast for all things digital PR. Join Propellernet’s very own Louise Parker and Steve Baker as your hosts who will be chatting with a variety of guest speakers and top industry experts. Make sure to tune in every month for the latest trends, expert insights, and actionable tips for all things PR. We can’t wait for you to join the conversation.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 20, 2024 • 47min
#18 Understanding Digital PR Personalities and Managing Mental Health with Abi Bennetts & Richard Paul
In this Minisode, join Digital PR Director, Abi Bennetts and PR Creative Director, Richard Paul as they have a bumper conversation about PR personalities and managing your mental health. They delve into burnout red flags, conscientiousness and why sometimes, the best thing to do to protect your mental health at work is to walk away. Enjoy!00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast Welcome to the Digital PR Podcast, where Steve Baker introduces the episode and discusses the upcoming mini episodes00:01:30 - Mental Health and Burnout in PR Abi Bennett shares her personal experience with burnout and the importance of discussing mental health challenges within the digital PR industry.00:05:45 - Personality Traits in Digital PR The conversation shifts to the common personality traits found in digital PR professionals, particularly conscientiousness and perfectionism, and how these traits can impact mental health.00:10:00 - Managing Workload and Setting Boundaries Abi and Richard discuss strategies for managing workloads, setting boundaries, and the importance of saying no to prevent burnout.00:20:00 - Navigating a Toxic Work Environment Advice is given for those working in environments that are not supportive of mental health, including the importance of finding someone to talk to and knowing when to leave.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR PodcastHosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Oct 19, 2023 • 31min
#17 A Journalist's Perspective on Digital PR with Katie-Ann Gupwell
A lifestyle reporter for The Daily Star, Katie-Anne shares her journey from Wales Online to The Daily Star, where she covers a diverse range of topics including health, beauty, fashion, and real-life stories. We delve into Katie-Anne’s typical working day, exploring her shift patterns, story pitching processes, and how she finds inspiration for her articles. She emphasises the importance of topicality and quirkiness in pitches, highlighting that PR professionals should aim to present ideas that resonate with current trends.00:00:00 - Introduction to Season 2: Louise Parker and Steve Baker welcome listeners to the second season of the Digital PR Podcast, highlighting the exciting topics and guests lined up for the series.00:05:30 - Katie-Anne Gupwell's Background: Journalist Katie-Anne Gupwell shares her career journey, detailing her transition from Wales Online to The Daily Star and her focus on lifestyle reporting.00:10:00 - A Day in the Life of a Journalist: Katie discusses her typical working day, including her shift patterns, story pitching processes, and how she balances various topics in her role.00:15:30 - Effective PR Pitching: The conversation shifts to how PR professionals can effectively pitch stories to journalists, with Katie offering insights on timing, relevance, and the importance of understanding the publication.00:20:00 - The Future of Journalism and Digital Publishing: Katie reflects on the evolving landscape of journalism, discussing the impact of social media, AI, and the importance of storytelling in the face of rapid change.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR PodcastHosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Oct 17, 2023 • 22min
#16 Back To Digital PR Basics with Stephanie Finch
For this minisode with the Propellernet Digital PR team, we're taking it all the way back to basics with the age old question - what is Digital PR? To give you all the answers, we call on Digital PR Director Steph Finch, who has been in the game since link building was even called link building. Hailing from a totally digital background, and bringing over 10 years of experience to the table, Steph talks about what advice she'd give to people wanting to entre the industry, her favourite campaigns, and why she doesn't actually like the term 'Digital PR'.00:00:00 - Introduction to Digital PR: Louise introduces the new season of the Digital PR Podcast and welcomes PR director Steph Finch, who shares her background and career journey in digital PR.00:02:30 - Digital PR vs Traditional PR: Steph discusses the differences between digital PR and traditional PR, highlighting the focus on link building in digital PR and the evolving nature of both practices.00:06:00 - The Intertwining of PR Practices: The conversation shifts to how digital and traditional PR are becoming more intertwined, with both practices learning from each other and adapting to new objectives.00:09:30 - Choosing Between Digital and Traditional PR: Steph provides insights on why clients might choose digital PR over traditional PR, considering factors like budget, audience demographics, and measurable outcomes.00:15:00 - Building Relationships Between PR Teams: The discussion covers the importance of collaboration between digital and traditional PR teams, sharing strategies for building trust and effective communication to achieve common goals.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR PodcastHosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 10min
#15 Embracing Flexibility in Agency Work with Mary Hickey and Rich Leigh
We're joined by Mary Hickey, Senior Digital PR Manager at North and Rich Leigh, Founder and CEO of Radioactive PR. The episode dives into the ongoing debate about remote work versus in-office work, particularly in the context of the post-pandemic world. Throughout the episode, we explore the pros and cons of different working arrangements, the impact on creativity and collaboration, and the challenges of retaining talent in a competitive market.00:00:00 - Welcome: Join Louise Parker and Steve Baker as they kick off the Digital PR Podcast.00:01:31 - Introducing the Guests: Meet Mary Hickey, Senior Digital PR Manager at North, and Rich Lee, Founder and CEO at Radioactive PR. They share their backgrounds and current roles in the digital PR landscape.00:05:12 - The Office vs. Remote Work Debate: The discussion begins on the ongoing debate about working from home, in the office, or a hybrid model. Rich and Mary share their experiences and preferences regarding workplace arrangements.00:10:10 - Agency Policies and Employee Perspectives: Rich and Mary delve into their respective agency policies on remote work and how these have evolved since the pandemic, highlighting the importance of employee satisfaction and agency culture.00:28:03 - Pros and Cons of Current Work Setups: Rich and Mary outline the positives and negatives of their current working arrangements, discussing creativity, collaboration, autonomy, and the challenges of remote training and team dynamics.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR PodcastHosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Oct 10, 2023 • 20min
#14 Creating Great Ideas in Digital PR with Richard Paul
On this week's minisode, Steve is joined by Richard Paul, Propellernet's PR Creative Director. This time it's all about ideas, with conversation topics including creative campaigns, how to overcome an ideas block, and what Richard does in the shower that Steve does in the car...00:00:05 - Introduction to the Digital PR Podcast: Louise introduces the new season of the podcast, featuring mini episodes with guests from the Digital PR team at Propellernet.00:00:30 - Richard Hall's Career Journey: Richard shares his unique path to becoming the creative director at Propellernet, detailing his background in script writing and various roles in digital PR.00:03:34 - The Role of Creativity in Digital PR: Richard discusses the importance of creativity in digital PR, explaining how it underpins the analytical aspects of the industry and enhances storytelling.00:06:34 - Overcoming Creative Blocks: Richard offers practical advice for overcoming creative blocks, including the benefits of stepping away from the desk, consuming media, and keeping a record of ideas.00:10:31 - The Future of Creativity in Digital PR: The conversation shifts to the current state of digital PR campaigns, discussing the criticism of repetitive formats and the importance of innovation and meaningful storytelling.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR PodcastHosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Oct 5, 2023 • 51min
#13 Navigating the Freelance Landscape in Digital PR with Isa Lavahun
Louise & Steve welcome Isa Lavahun, a seasoned freelance search strategist with 15 years of experience in digital PR, content, social media and influencer marketing. Isa shares her journey from working at Propellernet to becoming a freelancer, highlighting the pros and cons of each role she has taken on, including her experiences in both agency and client-side positions.00:00:07 - Welcome: Louise Parker and Steve Baker introduce the Digital PR Podcast, highlighting the exciting topics and guests to come.00:01:31 - Guest Introduction: Freelance search strategist Isa Lavaughan shares her extensive background in digital PR, content, and influencer marketing, detailing her journey from agency work to freelancing.00:07:41 - The Freelancing Experience: Isa discusses the pros and cons of freelancing, including the flexibility it offers and the challenges of financial security, while reflecting on her preference for this work style.00:12:08 - The Rise of Digital PR Freelancers: The conversation shifts to the increasing number of digital PR freelancers, exploring the reasons behind this trend, including the impact of COVID-19 and the search for work-life balance.00:23:20 - Client Challenges and Gripes: Isa outlines her main frustrations when working with clients, including misconceptions about link volume, understanding the value of digital PR, and the importance of educating clients on SEO.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR PodcastHosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Oct 3, 2023 • 21min
#12 Finding Your Niche with Maddie Davies
Everyone knows that PR calendars flow on a combination of current events, awareness days, pop culture and seasonality. Sometimes, though, it can be tricky to find an in for your client to get their voice heard above the noise, especially if their offering is seemingly unrelated. This week, Steve is joined by Digital PR Director Maddie Davies, for a chat about how tapping into your client's niche can give a fresh perspective. She details how it worked for one of Propellernet's most successful reactive campaigns, and touches on her favourite niche-based OOH campaign and content campaigns too.00:00:00 - Introduction to the Digital PR Podcast: Louise introduces the new season of the podcast, featuring mini episodes with guests from the Digital PR team at Propellernet.00:01:00 - Maddy Davis Career Journey: Maddy shares her background in journalism and how she transitioned into digital PR, highlighting her experiences and current role at Propellernet.00:02:00 - Understanding Niche in Digital PR: Maddy explains what a niche means in the context of digital PR, emphasising that businesses of all sizes can effectively utilise PR to tap into their specific expertise.00:03:30 - Examples of Niche Campaigns: Maddy discusses her favourite niche campaigns, including a creative Pancake Day story for Rated People, showcasing how to leverage specific expertise for impactful PR.00:17:00 - Advice for Creating Niche Campaigns: Maddy offers practical advice for PR professionals on identifying and developing niche campaigns, including the importance of mapping out client expertise and securing pre-approved quotes.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR PodcastHosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Sep 28, 2023 • 42min
#11 Crisis Comms: How to Avoid a PR Disaster with Andy Barr
Lou & Steve welcome Andy Barr, the CEO of the award-winning agency 10 Yetis Digital. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Andy shares his insights on digital PR, crisis communications and the evolution of the field. We kick off the conversation by discussing Andy’s diverse background, which includes stints in political analysis and financial services before he ventured into the world of PR. He reflects on how he transitioned from crisis communications to digital PR, emphasising the importance of links and SEO in modern PR strategies. Throughout, Andy offers practical advice on handling PR crises, emphasising transparency and the importance of not lying to cover up mistakes.00:00:07 - Welcome to Season 2 Louise Parker and Steve Baker introduce the second season of the Digital PR Podcast, highlighting exciting topics and their new sponsor, Coveragebook.00:02:04 - Meet Andy Barr Andy Barr, CEO of 10 Yetis Digital, shares his extensive background in PR, from political analysis to crisis communications, and his journey into digital PR.00:05:50 - The Evolution of Digital PR Andy discusses the emergence of digital PR, its relationship with traditional PR, and how the focus on SEO and links has transformed the industry.00:10:31 - Common PR Missteps The hosts and Andy explore frequent mistakes in PR, including the pitfalls of automated outreach and the importance of targeted communication with journalists.00:39:54 - The Future of Digital PR Andy shares his insights on the future of digital PR, touching on the ongoing relevance of links and the potential impact of AI on the industry.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR Podcast Hosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Sep 26, 2023 • 13min
#10 Embracing AI in Digital PR with Raquel Pinto
For this week's minisode, Lou grabs a quick chat with Propellernet's resident AI whizz, Digital PR Executive Raquel Pinto. Raquel uses AI throughout her work practices, from planning to campaign ideation, and is a huge advocate for AI experimentation across her various social media channels. If you're looking for some great AI insights, you've found the right place.00:00:01 - Introduction to the Minisode Louise introduces the new season of the Digital PR Podcast, featuring mini episodes with team members discussing current topics of interest.00:01:05 - Raquel's Career Journey Raquel shares her unique background transitioning from law and economics to digital marketing, highlighting her passion for the industry.00:02:45 - Embracing AI in Digital PR Raquel discusses the benefits of AI tools like ChatGPT for PR professionals, focusing on data organisation and enhancing writing tasks.00:04:47 - Risks and Considerations of AI The conversation shifts to the potential risks of AI reliance in digital PR, emphasising the importance of human insight and creativity.00:07:17 - The Future of AI in PR Raquel predicts the evolution of digital PR with AI, including the decline of mundane campaigns and a greater emphasis on creativity and unique data interpretation.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR Podcast Hosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Sep 21, 2023 • 38min
#9 Building Successful Agency Relationships: A Client's Perspective with Amy Smithers
Amy Smithers, Head of Communications at GetAgent, shares her extensive background in journalism & digital PR, particularly within the property sector, and explains her transition from agency to in-house roles. We discuss the challenges and rewards of collaborating with agencies, the significance of quality over quantity in PR results, and the evolving role of AI in the industry.00:00:07 - Introduction to Season Two Louise and Steve welcome listeners back to the Digital PR Podcast, introducing the exciting topics and guests lined up for the new season, including crisis communications and insights from in-house clients.00:01:31 - Client Perspective on Digital PR The hosts introduce Amy Smithers, Head of Communications at GetAgent, who shares her extensive background in journalism and digital PR, discussing her transition from agency to in-house roles.00:04:28 - The Fun of Property PR Amy explains her passion for property PR, highlighting the creative potential in linking various topics to the property sector, and shares a fun example involving Taylor Swift-themed street names.00:08:07 - Working with Agencies Amy discusses the importance of collaboration with agencies like Propellernet, detailing how they complement in-house efforts and the significance of sharing results to evaluate campaign effectiveness.00:30:01 - The Future of Digital PR Amy shares her insights on the future of digital PR, emphasising the role of AI in streamlining processes and the need for authentic brand storytelling through integrated marketing campaigns.Check out the full transcript here.–About the Digital PR Podcast Hosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.