BackFridays are usually wind-down days for most of us, but today feels different. As I write, England’s council results are streaming into my BBC News app, alongside parliamentary results from Scotland and Wales.
I’ve always been drawn to diversity of thought, and these elections reflect the eclectic nature of my own world. I have friends standing as candidates across the political spectrum, from the Greens to Reform.
It’s easy to criticise politicians, particularly at a time when many feel disillusioned. But I’ve always admired those who put themselves forward, who are willing to be scrutinised, challenged, and ultimately to roll the dice on election day.
Almost two decades ago, I served as Vice Chair of the Conservative Party’s Business Relations Forum and as Vice President of Club 24, a fundraising and training platform for women candidates in marginal seats. I saw first-hand how tough the experience can be, particularly for women, and even more so for women of colour, who often face disproportionate levels of abuse.
Since then, whenever I meet someone running for election, I try to offer a few words of encouragement, even when I don’t agree with their policies.Democracy only works if people are willing to step forward, and that, in itself, deserves respect.
“Catch people doing something right” – Ken Blanchard
This Week’s Episode: The King’s Speech
This week on BBC Radio 4’s When It Hits the Fan, David Yelland and I looked at three very different stories, from the King of the United Kingdom to the Queen of Country.
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King Charles’ meticulously crafted speech manoeuvred the politics of the room, and managed not only to cross the aisle, but also to bridge the transatlantic divide.
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Jet fuel shortages and how to manage uncertainty around airline flight cancellations. Other than cancelling Christmas, cancelling summer holidays comes second on the fan hitting scale.
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America’s sweetheart Dolly Parton’s delivered a masterclass in letting her fans down gently by cancelling her Vegas residency whilst plugging her other wares.
We all need a bit of Dolly in our lives. As Dolly Parton put it, “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.”
Listen on BBC Radio 4 every Wednesday at 4pm and Thursday at 8pm, or catch the extended version on BBC Sounds, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Let me know what landed, what didn’t, and what you’d like to hear more of.
Uncanny
With Rishini Weeraratne and Amish Tripathi at Soho Theatre Waltshamstow
I’ve been thinking a lot about how podcasts are evolving. You can now indulge in your podcasts live. The big daddy of podcast land, Goalhanger, is hosting The Rest is Fest in September at the Southbank Centre.
I went to check out the live podcast format for the first time. I have been listening to Uncanny as Danny Robins unpacks ghost stories, and his show at Soho Theatre popped up on my Instagram feed, so I had to go. I took my friend Amish Tripathi, who is visiting from India. He is one of the fastest-selling authors in Indian publishing history, weaving wonderful stories about ancient Indian myths, gods and historical traditions. I also managed to bring Rishini Weeraratne, who juggles journalism and comms like me, to a live recording of Uncanny at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. A 990-seat venue, full of fans, meet and greets, merchandise, the whole lot. Are podcasters the new authors?
I am going to learn more when I attend The Podcast Show in London in a couple of weeks. It is considered the gold standard, as my many North American friends tell me, who are flying over specially. I am speaking on a panel on the first day, so do come and say hello if you are attending.
Soft Power
Speaking on Al Jazeera in 2015 about how PR helps shape government reputation on the global stage.
I also recently joined a CIPR International Group conversation around country branding alongside some brilliant global voices, expertly chaired by Eva Maclaine FCIPR, Found Chart PR with a panel including Associate Professor Alina Elena Dolea and Rezani Aziz , Founding CEO of Adfactors PR Sri Lanka.
I have been working in country branding for over 15 years and have worked with countries from Ukraine to Gabon, the most consequential of narratives, it can shape a nation’s culture, tourism, trade and investment.
You can now access a recording of the session on the CIPR’s YouTube channel.
🔗 Alan Anstead – Nation branding and soft power strategy
Next Generation
At University of the Arts London, where I spoke with students about building a career in communications
I popped into the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London to deliver a talk on a career in PR to first year undergraduate students. They are moving to this shiny new building next year and it is an impressive college, part of UAL, the University of the Arts London. It houses six creative powerhouses, from Central Saint Martins and the London College of Fashion to the Chelsea School of Art. I told them they made the right choice studying public relations as we are, in my opinion, entering a golden age of PR, with LLMs and the like supporting tactical aspects, leaving more room to lean into the strategic value that PR can deliver. They seemed quite chuffed.
I wrote this piece on “Cracking the UK PR Industry,” which might be helpful. It is a bit old but still relevant. I hope for people looking to land a job in PR. Any recommendations on updating the piece, let me know.
Hope you’re having a lovely weekend. I plan to embrace fiction as I have spent my life reading non-fiction. PR boss Mark Lowe told me a while back, it would be good for me.
Any recommendations?
Originally featured in Substack
