Back“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” — Mark Twain
Hello everyone!
Who says you need to leave London to experience the world?
It’s been a particularly international week, from exploring destinations across the globe at World Travel Market (WTM) London to celebrating Diwali with friends and guests at an event co-hosted by Curzon PR and Mayfair Times.
I’ve also been reflecting on India’s growing global influence following an Indiaspora gathering at the House of Commons, with an interesting book recommendation to share.
Meanwhile, David Yelland and I have been back behind the microphones for BBC Radio 4’s When It Hits the Fan, discussing a multi-billion-dollar cryptocurrency crisis, Meta’s reputation challenges and Norway’s rather cheeky response to Donald Trump.
And with PR Has Talent now less than two weeks away, we’re getting closer to our big night at Soho Theatre!
But first, let’s get into this week’s fan hitters!
When It Hits the Fan
It’s not easy putting a positive spin on having more than six billion dollars stolen from your company in roughly 20 minutes.
And so we turn to what’s being called the biggest heist in history – the hack of cryptocurrency exchange, Binance.
This week, David Yelland and I look at how the people at the very top of the company handled the crisis – in real time. This was a reputational battle being fought minute-by-minute on phones and social media platforms. It helped that the normal corporate PR rules of polished press releases don’t seem to apply in the crypto world.
We also look at whispering campaigns. Court documents suggest Meta discussed how to discredit the academic who has helped lead the global social media backlash. Should we be surprised that such tactics are considered – and is there a grey area between winning the public argument and doing so by underhand means?
Also, they had us at rowing Vikings at the World Cup – and now Norway has pulled off another bit of PR brilliance. After the country was labelled a ‘shithouse’ by President Trump, Visit Norway decided not to stoop to his level. Instead, they published a series of photos of some of the country’s public conveniences in the most stunning locations. As David and I explain, it’s a great example of using your opponent’s weight against them.
➡️ Listen to this week’s When It Hits the Fan
Celebrating Diwali in Mayfair
Wednesday evening was a special one as Curzon PR co-hosted a Diwali celebration with Mayfair Times to host a Diwali celebration at the beautiful Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Pall Mall.
It was a pleasure to co-host the evening with Selma Day, Editor of Mayfair Times, welcoming guests from London’s South Asian communities, alongside friends from business, the arts and beyond.
Fourteen years ago, Selma and I had a conversation over lunch at The Arts Club about hosting events together for the South Asian community. That conversation marked the beginning of a partnership that has seen us bring people together for some wonderful occasions over the years. It’s been a real pleasure working alongside her and her team throughout this time.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, and it was lovely to see so many familiar faces alongside new ones, enjoying the occasion together.
A big thank you to Selma and the Mayfair Times team for another memorable collaboration, and to everyone who joined us to celebrate.
Here’s to many more years of friendship and working together!
➡️ Read the latest Mayfair Times publication
The World Comes to London
I’ve travelled quite a bit this year, but this week I had the chance to explore the world without leaving London!
I attended World Travel Market (WTM) London at ExCeL, where tourism boards, destinations and travel businesses from across the globe gathered to showcase what their countries have to offer.
This year’s theme, Resilience, Rebound & Reinvention, felt particularly relevant for an industry that has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years.
What I find fascinating about events like this is how countries tell their stories. Beyond the beautiful destinations and colourful displays, there’s a great deal of work happening behind the scenes as tourism boards build relationships, announce partnerships and compete for the attention of international travellers.
It was also a welcome reminder of the value of meeting people face to face, particularly in an industry built around discovering new places and cultures.
And I’m curious, what’s the most interesting place you’ve visited this year? Or is there somewhere you’re hoping to explore next?
I’d love to hear your recommendations!
➡️ Find out more about World Travel Market London
India, Its Diaspora and a Thought-Provoking Read
I recently had the pleasure of attending an Indiaspora gathering at The House of Commons, bringing together people with a shared interest in India’s future and the growing influence of its global diaspora.
Thanks to Nina Amin, ACA, MBE, Indiaspora‘s UK Country Head, and Lord Karan Bilimoria for bringing together such an interesting group.
I’ve always been fascinated by the role diaspora communities play in connecting countries and creating opportunities across borders. India’s global diaspora is a particularly interesting example, with its influence extending across business, politics and culture.
And while India’s international profile continues to grow, there’s also an important conversation to be had about the challenges the country faces at home.
That brings me to a book recommendation.
Suhel Seth‘s WTF India: Are We Losing the Plot? takes a sharp, often humorous look at the contradictions of modern India, from its remarkable technological progress to the everyday challenges of infrastructure and governance.
The book also caught the attention of Lionel Barber, former editor of the Financial Times, who selected it for The Spectator’s Books of the Year.
If you’re interested in India, its changing place in the world and the questions shaping its future, this looks well worth a read.
➡️ Read Lionel Barber’s recommendation in The Spectator
PR Has Talent: The Final Countdown!
We’re now less than two weeks away from PR Has Talent, and preparations are in full swing for our big night at Soho Theatre on Tuesday 17 November!
Graham Goodkind and I are looking forward to bringing the PR and communications industry together for an evening of comedy, music, poetry and a few surprises, courtesy of our 16 brave performers.
A huge thank you to everyone who has already booked tickets, helped spread the word or supported the event, including our official videography partner, Be Broadcast.
We’re almost at capacity, with only a few seats remaining! If you’ve been thinking of joining us, now’s the time to book before tickets sell out.
Tickets are just £30, with all proceeds supporting Soho Theatre’s New Writing Programme, which helps develop emerging writers and bring new creative voices to the stage.
Book your PR Has Talent tickets here
And if you can’t join us on the night but would still like to support the cause, you can make a donation directly to Soho Theatre. Every contribution would be hugely appreciated.
➡️ Make a donation to Soho Theatre directly
I’d love to see as many of you there as possible!
Until next week,
Farzana
Originally featured in Substack
