

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

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.

Sep 18, 2023 • 20min
#8 Leveraging Twitter for Digital PR Success with Abi Bennetts
For the first mini episode of the season, Lou catches up with Digital PR Director at Propellernet, Abi Bennetts. They discuss the pros and cons of using Twitter or X for Digital PR, building your personal brand and tips and advice for using the platform in your day-to-day.00:00:05 - Introduction to the Minisode Louise introduces the new mini episodes of the Digital PR Podcast featuring members of the Propellernet team, starting with Abby.00:01:34 - Abby's Journey in Digital PR Abby shares her background and experiences in digital PR, detailing her career progression and the opportunities that arose from her initial use of Twitter.00:03:39 - Positive Uses of Twitter for Digital PR Abby discusses the benefits of Twitter for networking and personal branding within the digital PR industry, highlighting the community aspect and opportunities for connection.00:07:35 - The Darker Side of Twitter The conversation shifts to the negative aspects of Twitter, including mental health impacts, the potential for critique, and the toxicity that can arise within the industry.00:17:24 - Tips for Using Twitter Effectively Abby offers advice for digital PR professionals on how to use Twitter productively, including setting boundaries and following inspiring industry figures while maintaining a healthy relationship with the platform.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 14, 2023 • 48min
#7 Digital PR in the US with Bri Godwin Huyke
This week we're discussing digital PR in the US with Bri Godwin Huyke, noting that it is still developing compared to the UK, with many clients lacking a foundational understanding of its benefits. We touch on the differences in pitching styles between US and UK journalists and explore the significance of relevance in link building & differences in client expectations. 00:00:07 - Introduction to Season Two Louise Parker and Steve Baker welcome listeners back to the Digital PR Podcast for its second season, highlighting exciting topics and a new sponsor.00:01:31 - Guest Introduction: Bri Godwin-Hoyk Bri Godwin-Hoyk, a digital PR manager at Journey Further, shares her background and expertise in digital PR, particularly in the US market.00:04:09 - Current State of Digital PR in the US Bri discusses the differences in digital PR maturity between the US and the UK, noting the challenges of educating clients about the benefits of digital PR.00:12:13 - Personalisation in Pitching The conversation shifts to the importance of personalising pitches to US journalists, contrasting it with the UK approach and discussing the impact of relevance.00:18:03 - Differences in Story Styles Bri outlines the types of stories that resonate well with US journalists, emphasising the preference for data-led pieces and the slower pace of placements compared to the UK.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.

Feb 1, 2023 • 50min
#6 Understanding Strategy in Digital PR with Sophie Coley
In this episode we welcome the Director of Strategy at Propellernet, Sophie Coley, to discuss the intricacies of digital PR strategy. With over 15 years of experience at Propellernet, Sophie shared her journey from a PR intern to a strategic leader. We discussed the significance of client collaboration in developing effective strategies, noting that clients with a strong strategic appetite tend to yield better results. We touched on the challenges of selling strategy to clients, the importance of ongoing reporting, and how to keep strategies on track. Sophie emphasised strategies should evolve rather than be constantly tweaked in response to every change, advocating for a long-term commitment to strategic goals.00:00:07 - Introduction to the Digital PR Podcast Welcome to the Digital PR Podcast, hosted by Steve Baker and Louise Parker, who share their extensive experience in the digital PR industry and discuss its evolution.00:01:17 - Meet Sophie Coley Sophie Coley, Director of Strategy at Propellernet, shares her journey from PR intern to strategic leader, highlighting her background in journalism and the evolution of PR practices over the years.00:04:34 - Defining PR Strategy Sophie discusses what constitutes a PR strategy, emphasising the importance of understanding goals, target audiences, and the relationship between digital PR and broader SEO strategies.00:09:16 - Strategy vs. Tactics The conversation delves into the common confusion between strategy and tactics, with Sophie explaining how a clear strategy provides direction while tactics are the specific actions taken to achieve those goals.00:13:29 - Client Collaboration in Strategy Development Sophie highlights the significance of client involvement in developing effective strategies, discussing how strategic appetite and collaboration can lead to more successful outcomes in digital PR 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.

Jan 25, 2023 • 57min
#5 New Business Pitching with Mark Perkins
Steve and Lou welcome PR Creative Director Mark Perkins! With nearly 25 years of experience in agency life, Mark shares his insights on the evolving landscape of digital PR, particularly focusing on the nuances of new business pitching. We dive into the complexities of what makes a successful pitch, emphasising that while creative ideas are crucial, they are not the sole factor in winning a client. Mark highlights the importance of understanding the brand, audience, and market dynamics before jumping into creative brainstorming. He stresses the need for a solid strategy based on human insights, which can often be the key to winning pitches.00:00:07 - Introduction to the Podcast Welcome to the Digital PR Podcast, hosted by Steve Baker and Louise Parker, as they discuss the evolving landscape of digital PR and introduce their guest, Mark Perkins.00:01:27 - Meet Mark Perkins Mark Perkins shares his extensive background in PR, detailing his journey from being the first employee at Cow agency to his current role as Creative Director, highlighting his passion for creative and provocative work.00:03:23 - The Importance of Strategy in Pitching Mark discusses the critical role of strategy in new business pitches, emphasising that understanding the brand, audience, and market is essential before diving into creative ideas.00:10:41 - The Value of Tissue Sessions The conversation shifts to the significance of tissue sessions in the pitching process, where ideas can be stress-tested and refined based on client feedback, ensuring alignment with their expectations.00:42:52 - Ideal New Business Pitch Process Mark outlines his vision for a perfect new business pitch process, focusing on clear briefs, thoughtful client engagement, and the importance of receiving constructive feedback, regardless of the pitch outcome.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.

Jan 18, 2023 • 1h 3min
#4 Navigating Relevancy in Digital PR with Gisele Navarro
We had the pleasure of speaking with Gisele Navarro, co-founder of Neomam, renown for exceptional hero content. As we delved into the topic of relevancy in digital PR, Gisele shared her insights on how the concept of relevance has evolved over the years, particularly in the context of link building and content creation. Throughout our conversation, we explored the challenges of defining relevance, especially when it comes to balancing SEO needs with brand messaging. Gisele pointed out that many professionals in the industry tend to be too literal in their interpretation of relevance, which can stifle creativity and limit the potential for innovative campaigns.00:00:07 - Introduction to the Podcast Welcome to the Digital PR Podcast, hosted by Steve Baker and Louise Parker, as they discuss the evolving landscape of digital PR and introduce their guest, Giselle Navarro.00:01:54 - Meet Giselle Navarro Giselle shares her background, including her journey from Argentina to becoming the CEO of Neomam, a renowned content marketing agency, and her passion for content-led link building.00:04:41 - The UK Digital PR Scene The hosts and Giselle discuss the differences in the digital PR industry across the globe, particularly focusing on the UK's advanced approach to content-led link building and the influence of leading agencies.00:09:01 - Understanding Relevancy in Digital PR Giselle explains her perspective on relevancy, highlighting its importance in digital PR and how it has evolved over time, particularly in relation to audience and topic relevance.00:41:05 - Delivering Relevant Work The conversation wraps up with insights on how to ensure the delivery of relevant work through effective client briefs, understanding client needs, and identifying appropriate verticals for 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.

Jan 11, 2023 • 1h
#3 The Evolution of Agency Culture with Luke Cope
We had the pleasure of interviewing Luke Cope, co-founder of Bottled Imagination. He shared insights into how he approaches company culture as a start-up agency, emphasising the importance of creating a culture based on values and employee input rather than just superficial perks. We discussed the work-life balance and motivation strategies for employees.00:00:00 - Introduction to Digital PR Podcast Welcome to the Digital PR Podcast, hosted by Steve Baker and Louise Parker, as they discuss the evolving landscape of digital PR and introduce their guest, Luke Cope.00:01:30 - Meet Luke Cope Luke shares his background in digital marketing, detailing his journey from various jobs to co-founding his new agency, Bottled Imagination, and the importance of company culture.00:03:30 - Defining Company Culture Luke discusses what company culture means to him, emphasising that it should be shaped by employees rather than just values displayed on walls, and the significance of creating an enjoyable work environment.00:10:00 - Impact of COVID on Agency Culture The conversation shifts to how the pandemic has changed workplace dynamics, including the shift to hybrid working and the challenges of maintaining a cohesive culture in a flexible work environment.00:20:00 - Motivating Employees and Addressing Failure Luke reflects on what motivates individuals to produce their best work, the importance of understanding diverse motivations, and how to address failure constructively within the agency.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.

Jan 5, 2023 • 40min
#2 Reactive PR with Sophie Rhone
We chat all things reactive PR and newsjacking with experienced digital PR specialist and SEO speaker, Sophie Rhone. The episode dives into the critical importance of putting clients at the very heart of conversations and explores strategies to reach a larger audience through timely, relevant, and engaging content. We delved into the benefits of reactive PR, such as engaging with trending topics and breaking news to capture audience attention. 00:00:00 - Introduction to Digital PR Welcome to the Digital PR Podcast, where hosts Steve Baker and Louise Parker introduce the topic of reactive PR and newsjacking.00:01:20 - Understanding Reactive PR and Newsjacking Sophie Rone explains the concepts of reactive PR and newsjacking, discussing how brands can position themselves as experts by responding to breaking news and trends.00:05:30 - The Popularity of Reactive PR The conversation shifts to the increasing adoption of reactive PR by agencies and brands, with Sophie discussing the benefits of quick turnaround stories compared to traditional hero campaigns.00:12:00 - A/B Testing in Reactive PR Sophie shares insights on A/B testing in reactive PR, emphasising the importance of testing different headlines and pitches to maximise the chances of media coverage.00:20:00 - Future of Reactive PR The discussion concludes with predictions about the future of reactive PR, including the potential for planned reactive strategies and the importance of creativity in the industry.Check out the full transcript here. About the Digital PR Podcast The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on Youtube. We started the podcast back in December 2022, hosted by our very own Heads of PR at Lou and Steve. Since then we have launched three seasons featuring a variety of conversations with guests from the digital PR industry, alongside lots of insightful 'minisodes' with some of our own PR team 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.To check out our socials and other useful links click here.

Dec 13, 2022 • 54min
#1 The Power of Creativity with Mark Rofe
Digital PR expert, Mark Rofe is known for his creative and unconventional campaigns. He shared his insights on creativity and highlighted some of his favourite campaigns, such as the Duolingo tattoo translation service and the German rail network's Doppelganger Destinations campaign. Mark's perspective on creativity and problem-solving provided valuable insights for both new and experienced professionals in the industry.00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast Welcome to the Digital PR Podcast where our hosts discuss the evolution and current state of the digital PR industry.00:01:07 - Meet Mark Rofe Introduction of our guest, a digital PR expert known for his creative campaigns and unique projects, including selling Christmas trees and the "Edit My Ex" campaign.00:04:34 - The Importance of Creativity in Digital PR Discussion on the significance of creativity in digital PR, exploring how it differentiates campaigns and the challenges faced in a competitive landscape.00:10:15 - Finding Inspiration for Ideas Mark shares his approach to generating creative ideas, emphasising the importance of understanding client problems and finding playful solutions.00:18:26 - The Future of Digital PR and Creativity A conversation about the potential for digital PR to be as creative as traditional PR, the impact of SEO on creativity, and the need for originality in 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.


