Back“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” – Carl Jung
It’s been a swelteringly hot week, and between tube journeys to BBC recordings, delayed train journeys to a strategy conference in Dorset and an evening at Soho Theatre, I am trying to remain grateful for the hot weather as so often Brits are blighted with grey skies and rain. I do worry about my dog Dante, so like other dog custodians, I have taken to 6 am and midnight walks whilst listening to my favourite podcasts like Communication Breakdown and Stories and Strategies 🎧
That’s the thing about PR, so much of the art of PR is in listening and that’s where the real alchemy occurs.
BBC Radio 4
Three Fan-Hitters We Covered This Week
King Charles and the Tax Man
The only certainty in life they say is death and taxes.
This week David Yelland and I discuss why King Charles is going public with his tax bill and why it was announced almost a week before the details are released.
Are the public being softened up with talk of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’? We explain that framing the narrative before a story breaks means you have more chance of creating a cushioning effect.
Starbucks’ South Korean Crisis
PRs have been talking about Starbucks for weeks now since its fan hitter.
The company’s faced a huge backlash in South Korea after a marketing campaign appeared to reference a historical military attack against pro-democracy protesters. How does something like that slip through the net?
The finger of blame is being pointed at AI. But that only tells half the story.
Elmo’s Reputation Rebuild
After a deeply damaging few weeks, David and I assess how one very public furry figure is seeking to rebuild their reputation.
It’s not been easy but Sesame Street’s Elmo seems to be winning back a few hearts and minds after his failure to fully come out in support of his home city’s basketball team. He has Cookie Monster in his corner and has been doing the PR media rounds!
Please do have a listen to the show on BBC Radio 4 every Wednesday at 4 pm and Thursday at 8 pm.
👉 Catch the extended version on BBC Sounds, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Here are three little things that brightened my week.
If you’ve been following this week’s BBC episode, it’s worth watching Elmo’s latest video.
After finding himself at the centre of a PR storm, Elmo returned with a wonderfully self-aware message reminding everyone that he loves New York… and yes, he’s firmly backing Team USA. It’s a nice reminder that a little humour can go a long way in rebuilding trust.
I also enjoyed watching Norwegian fans transform Times Square into a Viking long ship, with hundreds of supporters rowing in unison. Sometimes the best campaigns aren’t campaigns at all. They’re moments people simply want to be part of. If you haven’t seen it, it’s well worth a watch.
And finally, after a week of London’s soaring temperatures, this Underground poster made me giggle: “On the bright side, the marketing industry is away in Cannes.” Perfect timing. 😂
An Evening At Soho
With Isabel, Lauren, Leah, and David at Soho Theatre
I started the week at Soho Theatre, braving London’s rather unhinged heat to watch Peach Fuzz starring the brilliant Ania Magliano from Saturday Night Live.
I joined Leah-Sunshine Garrett, Lauren Branston, and Isabel Berwick for a drink beforehand, thanks to David Gallagher. Our conversation ranged from AI and communications to journalism, business ethics and leadership.
We all learn differently, I learn best when with smart people who are passionate when they share their insight. I left with plenty to think about, followed by a much-needed laugh.
Strategy Day with Heroes
At The HALO Trust Strategy Conference
This week I travelled to Dorset for a strategy conference with The HALO Trust, bringing together members of its UK and US Boards along with the members from the executive team and program teams. Inspired by their work, I joined the board last year.
Dorset is a dream, sometimes I forget just how beautiful the English countryside is and when I leave the M25 to head to the country, it always takes my breath away.
The HALO Trust has spent more than 38 years helping communities recover from conflict by clearing landmines and other deadly remnants of war. If you’d like to support its life-saving work, you can find out more at halotrust.org.
The Exit Matters
Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation has dominated headlines over the past week, but the leadership lessons extend far beyond politics.
One of the arguments I explore in my latest Harper’s Bazaar article is that leaders spend years planning how to get the top job, but far less time thinking about how they’ll eventually leave it. Yet our legacy is often shaped as much by our exit as our arrival.
Whether you’re leading a government or an organisation: surround yourself with truth tellers, build trust before you need it, keep telling your story and always have an exit plan.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend. For those in warm climes, drink plenty of water and remember your sunscreen!
Originally featured in Substack
