Back“Genius is talent set on fire by courage” — Henry Van Dyke
Hello everyone,
The countdown to PR Has Talent is well and truly on!
With just over two weeks until our show at Soho Theatre on Tuesday, 17 November, we’ve already sold half the seats, and the support from across the PR and communications industry has been fantastic.
When Graham Goodkind and I first started planning this evening, we hoped it would bring our industry together for a good laugh while raising money for Soho Theatre‘s New Writing Programme. Seeing so many people get behind it, from our brave performers to the organisations lending their support, has been hugely encouraging.
There’s plenty of news to share about the show this week, including some exciting additions to the team helping us bring it to the stage.
I’ve also been back behind the microphone with David Yelland for When It Hits the Fan, celebrated two years of the Asian Communications Network, and enjoyed catching up with familiar faces in London after my week in Kentucky.
But first, let’s talk about the show!
PR Has Talent: The Stage Is Set!
Half the seats at Soho Theatre have already been snapped up, and with 17 November fast approaching, tickets for PR Has Talent are selling quickly!
The response from the PR and communications community has been fantastic. We’ve confirmed 16 acts, with familiar faces from across the industry preparing to entertain us with comedy, music, poetry and a few surprises. I suspect we’ll discover talents that have been well hidden from colleagues and clients!
And we’re finally starting to reveal who’s taking to the stage! Our Official Media Partner, PRmoment, has announced the first four performers: Adam Faulkner, Preethi Nair, Gemma Moroney (SHOOK) and Ben Burwell. It’s a brilliant first glimpse of the talent we have lined up, with plenty more names still to come.
A big thank you to PRmoment for helping us spread the word and build excitement ahead of the show.
I’m delighted that Dom McGovern will be our compère for the evening, keeping proceedings moving and, I’m sure, adding plenty of humour of his own.
We’re also pleased to welcome Be Broadcast as our Official Videography Partner. A big thank you to the team for generously supporting the event and helping us capture what promises to be a memorable night.
Graham Goodkind and I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of everyone involved, particularly those who have volunteered to perform in front of their industry peers. And it’s all in support of Soho Theatre’s New Writing Programme, which helps develop emerging writers and bring new creative voices to the stage.
If you’re thinking of coming, now is a good time to get your tickets. At just £30, it’s a great excuse to gather your colleagues, organise a team night out or bring some friends along for an evening of entertainment while supporting a cause close to our hearts.
We’d love to see a full house on 17 November!
➡️ Book your PR Has Talent tickets for £30
When a Crisis Won’t Go Away
There are some crises that flare up and then disappear almost instantly. And then there are those that rumble on and on and on.
Welcome to Manchester City’s world.
It is now a month since the devastating verdict against the club – when it was found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules and using ‘sham’ contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £800m.
The club continues to deny any wrongdoing and is appealing. But while that process runs and runs, how do you keep the PR wheels moving? When you’re in perma-crisis, how do you ignore the external noise and focus on arguably the most important job – keeping everyone inside the organisation onside?
For another perspective on the story, David Alexander (Chart.PR, FCIPR) of Calacus PR has written an interesting piece looking at what the case means for the Premier League’s own reputation. He raises some important questions about fairness, transparency and how the league maintains public trust while the appeals process continues. Well worth a read.
➡️ Read David Alexander’s piece on the Manchester City case
From football to one of Britain’s best-loved retailers, we also looked at Marks and Spencer.
Apple crumble, bras and knickers: the very staples of Marks and Spencer. But who’s doing all the selling?
Kathryn Turner, Head of Product Development at Marks and Spencer, has been attracting attention online, with her appearances on social media going viral. It seems their programme to use ‘ordinary’ employees as mega-influencers is working a treat. David and I discuss how companies are increasingly trying to use their own shop-floor staff to do the PR heavy lifting, to appear more authentic and relatable.
You can follow Kathryn Turner on Instagram here.
And if you’re reading this surrounded by tinned goods and bottled water, there’s a chance you’ve listened to the Government’s Be Ready campaign. In short, we’ve been giving a list of things we should stockpile in case of emergency – and unsurprisingly, some of those goods are flying off the shelves.
But has the messaging changed? There’s been little talk of ‘panic buying’. Instead, it feels like people are being commended for taking sensible precautions. Are we now living in such uncertain times that it’s becoming easier to persuade the public to change their behaviour without spreading fear?
➡️ Listen to this week’s When It Hits the Fan episode
Two Years of the Asian Communications Network
On Thursday evening, we celebrated the Asian Communications Network‘s second anniversary with a wonderful dinner at The Cinnamon Club in London.
When Advita Patel, Shayoni Lynn FCIPR FPRCA and I founded ACN in 2024, we wanted to build a community where Asian communications professionals could connect, share experiences and support one another. Two years on, it’s been hugely rewarding to see the network grow and the relationships and opportunities that have developed through it.
The dinner brought together members, friends and supporters, including many who have championed ACN from the beginning. It was a lovely opportunity to celebrate what we’ve achieved together and recognise the people who continue to give their time and energy to the network.
A special thank you to our sponsors, Lloyds Banking Group and Headland, and to Ross Keany, Santosh Sinha संतोष सिन्हा and Liz Clarkson for their continued support and commitment to ACN.
A heartfelt thank you as well to our volunteers and the wider Asian Communications Network membership community for making these first two years possible. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the years ahead.
A Few More Memories from Kentucky 🇺🇸
I’ve received some lovely photographs from my time at the University of Kentucky last week, which have brought back wonderful memories of my visit.
It was a particular honour to be the first non-American appointed as the James C. Bowling Executive-in-Residence, following in the footsteps of some distinguished figures in communications, including Daniel Edelman, Richard Edelman and Cody Keenan, who served as Chief Speechwriter to President Barack Obama.
I was particularly encouraged by the enthusiasm and curiosity of the students, whose questions about the changing nature of PR, the realities of agency life and building international careers made for some fascinating conversations.
A huge thank you once again to Dean Jennifer Greer, Dr Leigh Moscowitz and Marcus C. Whitt, and everyone at the university who made the experience so memorable.
An Evening of Art in Mayfair
It was lovely to join Selma Day at the Mayfair Times reception during the LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair, bringing together familiar faces and new connections in the heart of Mayfair.There’s always something fascinating about discovering the stories behind beautiful objects, and the fair offered plenty to admire.
I am looking forward to co-hosting a special Diwali celebration with Selma and the Mayfair Times team next Wednesday, 4 November, at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Pall Mall.
The evening will bring together members of London’s Indian and South Asian communities, alongside friends and guests from across business and the wider cultural community.
I’m also thrilled that Curzon PR is partnering with Mayfair Times for the occasion, and look forward to an evening celebrating Diwali and the people who contribute so much to London’s cultural and professional life.
Tickets Selling Out Fast!
Before I sign off, a little reminder to book your tickets for PR Has Talent at Soho Theatre on Tuesday, 17 November.
At just £30, it’s a great excuse to get your colleagues together for a night out, enjoy some unexpected talents from familiar industry faces, and support Soho Theatre’s New Writing Programme.
Graham and I would love to see you there.
Book your PR Has Talent tickets here
Have a lovely weekend!
Farzana
Originally featured in Substack
