Podcast

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking? we’re turning our attention to a topic close to our hearts: careers in PR and communications.

It’s an industry offering incredibly varied and rewarding career paths, but many people either don’t know about the opportunities in PR, comms or social media or don’t consider it a possible route for them.

There’s also no question that, right now, finding and securing that first role can feel daunting. So, whether you’re finishing exams, weighing up different potential career paths, or even considering a career change, this podcast aims to answer some of your questions about how you actually get into the industry.

Jane is joined by director of people and planning Rebecca Williams and PR director Sam Brown to explain what working in PR really looks like – from getting your foot in the door to where it can take you – sharing advice and practical tips to take away.

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking?, we’re talking about Generative Engine Optimisation – otherwise known as GEO – and how AI-powered search is reshaping brand discovery.

Search is no longer just about rankings and clicks. Audiences have swiftly embraced the comprehensive, nuanced answers delivered by AI-powered search in place of those old lists of blue links, and it’s changing everything from visibility to content strategy.

So, after years of refining search strategies, optimising for keywords and climbing rankings, what should brand marketers be doing now? What determines whether your brand appears in an AI-generated answer? Has SEO fundamentally changed and, if so, in what ways? And why are authority, credibility and earned media suddenly becoming some of the most valuable assets in a marketer’s toolkit?

Jane is joined by associate director Rob Jones and senior content director Tom Went to explore what has changed, why it matters, and how PR, content and SEO fit into the new ecosystem.

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking? we’re turning our attention to the role that consumer PR can – and should – be playing for brands in 2026: specifically, the all-too-often underestimated contribution it can make to brand growth.

In a landscape dominated by performance metrics, crowded channels and increasingly sceptical consumers, how can brands earn attention rather than simply trying to buy it? Where does consumer PR fit when audiences are being bombarded with messages and are less loyal than ever?

Jane is joined by associate creative director Dan Gabriel and senior paid media director Rob Lewis to explore how consumer PR is evolving, how creativity and credibility can fuel brand preference, and how marketers can harness PR and paid – together – for long-term visibility and brand reputation.

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking? we’re exploring the relationship between consumer and B2B marketing – two disciplines that are often positioned as opposites, but are increasingly overlapping in how they think, create and deliver impact.

As an agency with teams spanning B2B and consumer, it’s an area that’s close to our hearts. Is consumer marketing really more creative and reactive, with B2B its more serious, rational counterpart? Or is that distinction outdated? From creativity and strategy, through to audiences, influencers and evaluation – what can each side learn from the other and what happens when traditional lines blur?

Jane is joined in this episode by associate creative director Dan Gabriel and associate director Rob Jones to discuss the misconceptions, the opportunities, and to ask whether B2B and consumer are really all that different after all.

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking? we’re exploring the topic nobody wants to think about but everybody should: crisis comms.

Brands have always had to deal with reputational risk. But in recent years, not only has the nature of the threats evolved – from business-critical cyberattacks to disgruntled customers on social – but the pace at which a crisis can escalate has accelerated.

In this episode, Jane is joined by senior social media strategy director Alex Dixon and PR director Joe Price-Moore to discuss how the nature of crisis comms is changing, the brands who have given us masterclasses in turning a bad situation into an opportunity, and what marketers should do to make sure they’re prepared if (or when!) the worst happens.   

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking we’re taking a deep dive into part of the media ecosystem that doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves: trade media.

As audiences fragment and AI reshapes how information is discovered and trusted, how is trade journalism evolving? What do journalists need from brands when resources are stretched and expectations are higher? And why does influence within trade titles matter more than ever for credibility, reputation and long‑term growth?

Jane is joined by B2B director Tom Leatherbarrow and associate director Rob Jones to discuss how trade media is evolving and what brands need to understand if they want to build authority, shape industry narratives and be taken seriously by the people who matter most.

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking? we’re exploring the power and potential of organic social in 2026.

Jane is joined to discuss this pivotal aspect of brand marketing by B2B and B2C specialists Alex Dixon, senior social media strategy director, and Natalie Wright, senior social media director.

From the role organic plays in a world where paid is delivering at scale, to thoughts on balancing finite budget and resources with ever-expanding platform options, this is essential listening for anyone wanting to make their organic strategy work harder this year.

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking? Jane is joined by senior paid media director Rob Lewis to unpack potentially one of the biggest shifts in paid media – Meta’s rapidly changing ecosystem. 

For brands leveraging Facebook and Instagram for growth, Meta’s reaction to increasing regulatory pressures, the rise of ad-free subscriptions, and AI-powered ad tools are creating an uncertain future.

Rob shares his perspective on the platforms challenging Meta, where paid now sits in the funnel, how marketers should prioritise spend as the platforms demand more content than ever, and answers the big question – whatever happened to the Metaverse?  

How do we define ‘celebrity’ in 2026? We’re discussing whether traditional celebs can still drive real impact, when influencer relevance trumps reach, and which sectors should (or absolutely shouldn’t) bother with a famous face. From red flags in celebrity partnerships to what to do if your chosen star generates the wrong sort of headlines, we’ll explore the pitfalls as well as the positives.

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking? Jane is joined by associate creative director Dan Gabriel and senior news director Amy Brookbanks as they share their favourite brand/celeb partnerships (spoiler alert: BIG fans of M&S!), discuss how much control brands really have, and debate what AI influencers might mean for the future.

If you’re wondering how to choose the right talent, whether it could shift perception of your brand, and how to avoid expensive mistakes, this conversation is your guide to navigating the tricky waters of brand/celeb partnerships.

The regional news landscape in the UK has changed dramatically over the last decade and how people are consuming their local news has changed too. What is the opportunity here for brands and are enough brands recognising and capitalising on the potential?

In this episode of What’s Got the World Talking? Jane is joined by senior PR director Rachael Heise and PR director Celine Bisson – both experts in regional strategy – to discuss why brands need to stop viewing regional activity as a backup to national, what the regional journalist/PR relationship looks like now, and how the picture differs around the UK.

They also share insight about what makes a good local news story, why repurposing national content doesn’t work, and why – at a time when trust in the media is decreasing – local and regional offers potential to buck that trend. Tune in for all this and much more.

Everyone is talking about the impact of AI. But in the world of media and PR, what specific impact is AI having on how traffic to publishers’ websites? Is it a brave new world or the wild west out there? Is AI rewriting the rules of journalism and PR?  And how should marketers and PRs be responding or adapting to this new reality? 

Jane is joined in this episode by Amy Brookbanks, senior news director and a former Sun editor, and content director Tom Went to shed light on these questions and many others.

From how journalists are adapting to the challenges and opportunities AI is generating to why exclusives are a powerful option for PRs, we explore this fascinating and fast-moving topic.

In this episode, we’re looking at a big topic – creativity. It sits at the heart of our industry but is a hotter topic than ever as, with the rise of AI and the increasing presence of technology in every aspect of our professional and personal lives, authentic human creativity is firmly back in the spotlight. 

What does creativity mean in today’s marketing landscape? Where does creativity sit in the marketing funnel? Does AI have a role to play? How do you keep creativity flowing while keeping an eye on commerciality? Can (and should) you be taking a more creative approach to your marketing strategy and campaigns?

Jane is joined by associate creative director Dan Gabriel to discuss all these points, while also sharing some personal creative highlights and explaining why ‘glitter gravy’ will be inscribed on Dan’s headstone.