When It Hits the Fan

A Gulf in Communications

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When your country's PR plan relies on the projection of safety and security, how do you keep that image alive when you're under attack?This week, Davi...

The Generation Game

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Getting your message out is obviously a cornerstone of PR. But where you put that message is becoming even more important.This week, David Yelland is ...

Friends: The One About PR

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When you’re in a crisis, you discover very quickly who your friends are. Or perhaps more accurately, who your friends aren’t.This week, David Yell...

Heart v Head PR

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How do you fight a PR battle when everyone's already decided you're the bad guys?That's the problem facing the water industry on the eve of a new Chan...

Is the Office of PM Beyond PR?

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Some jobs just can't be done. Circumstances, events and a changing world simply make them undoable.This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis ask whethe...

Are Andrew and Mandelson Beyond the Fan?

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How close is the Palace to being sucked into the Epstein reputational black hole - again?In this episode David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the lat...

Is the Beckham Brand in Jeopardy?

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It started with a bombshell but the aftershocks are only just getting started.This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis ask whether David and Victoria ...

A New Blueprint for PR

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Reputations supposedly take years to build and seconds to destroy. But what if that's no longer the case? What if the normal rules about earning - and...

Is the Worm Turning on 'Fat Jabs'?

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When everything's going really well, there's always a lurking fear that it can't possibly last.This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how th...

3. Don't Break the Fourth Wall

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Call it smoke and mirrors, call it sleight of hand. The best PR is often invisible PR.In this latest episode of our mini-series on the Golden Rules of...

2. Don't Delay PR

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us are guilty of it. A problem looms or a crisis kicks off and the knee-jerk reaction is often to ignore it and hope it goes away.Newsflash - ...

1. Rolling the Pitch

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode will change your life. Seriously.It's a big claim and carries an enormous risk of over-promising.Welcome to the latest episode in our min...

Why Optimism is a PR Superpower

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It may be the season to be jolly but there's not a lot of good cheer going around at the moment. With so much unrelentingly bleak news, how do you per...

Simon Cowell's PR: Judged!

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's panto season and panto villains don't come much bigger than Simon Cowell.The music mogul's made a career and fortune playing the Bad Guy on TV ta...

Nuns on the Run

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's not easy winning a PR fight when you're up against three octogenarian nuns whose story has become a global smash.This week, David Yelland and Sim...

Power, PR and the 'Epstein Class'

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine being able to read the private emails sent between some of the most powerful people on the planet. This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis do...

The Secrets of the List: Putting Yourself in the Frame for a Top Job.

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When a top job becomes available, there very soon follows a list of potential 'runners and riders'. But how do you get your name on it? And how do you...

Is the BBC 'hopeless at PR'?

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"They make really stupid basic mistakes and they are hopeless at PR."If you're a podcast about PR, then that quote - made about the BBC this week - is...

Two Weeks that Shook the Palace

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was barely a fortnight - but in that time everything seemed to change.This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the dramatic way Buckingham ...

The Strictly Bombshell

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As PR moves go, it would surely have earned a '10 from Len'.But what about the BBC's own communications team, who were seemingly as surprised as every...

The Prince Andrew Crisis

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

No more Duke of York, no more Order of the Garter. But he is still Prince Andrew. And he is still the King's brother.This week, David Yelland and Simo...

What Victoria Beckham's revelation reveals about PR

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Victoria Beckham is no stranger to headlines. And now she's revealed that intense media scrutiny led to her developing an eating disorder. Cue more he...

Michelle Mone: Her PR Rise and Fall

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, David and Simon look at Michelle Mone's meteoric rise and spectacular fall - and examine the PR decisions that have come back to haunt her....

Prince Harry and the Men in Grey Suits

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was all going so well. Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like a genuine reconciliation was on the cards between Prince Harry and his father, th...

Why the Macrons are willing to bare all

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are living in troubling times when Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, feel they have to go to court to prove she is a woman. The couple's lawy...

Prince Harry's PR Comeback

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was only a few months ago that Prince Harry was being roundly criticised pretty much everywhere. An ill-judged and hot-headed BBC interview where h...

Alas WH Smith and Jones

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rebrands, name changes, financial black holes. Just what is going on with WH Smith?This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the reputation of ...

7. Be Honest With Yourself

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

'PRs hold up the mirror and sometimes people don't like what they see.'So say David Yelland and Simon Lewis in their final episode on golden rules.Thi...

6. Never Over Promise

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you say you're going to hit a target, make sure you hit it.Managing expectations is one of the most important golden rules of PR, according to Davi...

5. Know How To Go Off the Record

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Non attributable, authorised leaks, Chatham House rules. Briefing the media can be a baffling minefield.In this episode on golden rules, David Yelland...

4. Prepare For A Crisis

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

'Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.'An excellent nugget of wisdom from boxing legend Mike Tyson. But you don't need to be heavy...

3. The Media is Not Your Friend

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's not quite two tribes going to war but it can feel like that.In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the complicated relationship b...

2. Start Networking Now

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just the word 'networking' can conjure up images of high-powered people in suits who all seem to be part of the same club - and you have no idea how t...

1. Reputation is Everything

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Loads of money, success and power - great. But what do people actually think of you?In this new, short series, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at s...

A Right Royal Whodunnit

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The idea of a secret meeting is just that - it stays secret. So what happens when that meeting becomes front page news? It's time to call in the PR de...

The Crying Game

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We tend to like leaders to appear calm and in control. But we also want them to be human. The problem is, when they show genuine emotion, they often g...

Dynasty PR: Can the Trumps learn from the Royals?

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Siblings at war, power struggles, a well-earned reputation in need of protection - who doesn't love a family dynasty drama?As Eric Trump hints he coul...

Faking It To Make It

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just be your best authentic self. That's supposedly what we should all be striving for. But is it good advice and in public life, is it even possible?...

Is Bezos blind to Venetians?

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, who wouldn't want a wedding snap with Venice's Grand Canal in the background? But what if there were also dozens of banners showing your face on...

Sirs, Dames and the PR Game

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Arise Sir Goldenballs. With David Beckham all set to receive a knighthood, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at whether it's possible to use PR to ge...

'Humanity Deserves Better'

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What do you get if the designer of the iPhone teams up with the founder of OpenAI? Unbelievable hype, that's what.This week, David Yelland and Simon L...

You're Banned!

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's that moment when a boss, a CEO or football manager goes all Peggy Mitchell and screams: 'You're Barred'. It might work in EastEnders but is it se...

Robotaxis: Look, no hands!

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do you PR the future? That's the question David Yelland and Simon Lewis are wrestling with this week. As Uber says it's 'ready to go' with driverl...

The Spy Who Leaked Me

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Spying tends to be a fairly secretive game, for obvious reasons. So eyebrows have been quizzically raised (a bit like Roger Moore's 007) following the...

Prince Harry's bombshell interview

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As far as royal interviews go, it'll take some beating. This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis sift through Prince Harry's BBC interview - and discu...

PR is a virus

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if your profession is to blame for almost everything? This week, David Yelland is joined from Washington by PR guru Phil Elwood - who thinks the ...

China's meme warfare, rats and rockets

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the global battle for hearts, minds and reputations between the US and China. Following JD Vance calling the peo...

Quick Wins: How to avoid being typecast

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these...

Quick Wins: How to deal with redundancies

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these...

The truth about ‘no comment,’ managing expectations and cost-effective PR

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode David Yelland and Simon Lewis answer PR questions sent in by When It Hits the Fan listeners. First off, they are just two litt...

Heathrow special: inside the crisis

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis unpick the PR levers being pulled behind the Heathrow airport shutdown caused by a fire at a lo...

Thames Water’s PR gamble, Tesla backlash and William’s Villa in The Sun

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Letting the cameras go behind the scenes of a company is always a risky strategy - but did it pay off for Thames Water? David Yelland and Simon Lewis ...

Carney’s Canada v Trump, Abrdn’s U-turn and Ambassador Suzuki

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Across the world reputations are being set by how leaders react to Donald Trump, including those of Keir Starmer and the King. Now Canada’s new prim...

Trump, Zelensky, the King and Mummy Pig

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pause all US aid to Ukraine, David Yelland and Simon Lewis reflect on the breakdown in the relations between...

PR in the disinformation bubble, Mandelson’s doorstep and breaking cover

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss how best to navigate the 'disinformation bubble' that appears to be parked over Washington DC. Could business ta...

BP’s PR battle, Jamie Dimon’s rant, and two men and a baby

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the £75billion PR battle currently waging between BP - one of the UK's biggest companies - and American activi...

Inside the woke war room, puff quote PR and WhatsApp comms

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis take you inside the woke war rooms in which some of the world’s biggest companies have been sitting these last few wee...

Rachel Reeves’ PR pivot, how to talk to Trump and Bill Gates’ memoir

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do you PR a pivot and change the mood music as a politician? David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a look at the language Rachel Reeves is deploying ...

Inside the Sun's historic apology to Prince Harry

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a rare, open and frank discussion, David Yelland and Simon Lewis go behind the scenes of The Sun newspaper's historic apology to Prince Harry, incl...

Power and influence in the (medieval) court of Trump

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of Donald Trump’s inauguration, David Yelland and Simon Lewis decode what it means for how the 47th US president does business. For the ...

California in crisis and is the UK running out of gas?

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the LA wildfires continue to burn, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the challenge looming for US insurers that find themselves on the frontlin...

Quick Wins: How to quit a new job

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins is our how-to guide to personal PR from the When It Hits the Fan team. David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their expert advice on how to na...

Quick Wins: How to use storytelling

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins is a series of short episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to help you navigate your own personal PR.In this episode, David and Simon...

Quick Wins: How to recover from embarrassment

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins is our how-to guide to personal PR from the When It Hits the Fan team. David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their expert advice on how to na...

2024: the big ideas that shaped our year

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the use of 'royal sources' in Prince Andrew's China crises and reflect on the big ideas that have shaped our wor...

Quick Wins: Office Parties

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these...

Murdoch loses 'succession’ battle, killing of a US CEO and why tycoons get up at 4am

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis assess one of the biggest fan-hitters in the history of the media industry - Rupert Murdoch’s failure to win the legal...

Gregg Wallace, ‘casting doubt’ PR and Ed Davey’s Christmas single

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a 360 degree look at the Gregg Wallace/MasterChef crisis. They examine the errors of Wallace’s ways after one par...

Jaguar’s rebrand, John Prescott and Meet the Rees-Moggs

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jaguar’s rebrand video has sent the internet into meltdown, and the insults are piling up. The car manufacturer’s wildly uncharacteristic advert h...

Has business lost the argument? X versus Bluesky, and Coleen’s jungle PR

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it time for the business world to enter the great public debates of our time - and is it bad PR if you don’t? Its absence has left a vacuum for m...

Why Trump means boom times for PR, and a Rivals spat

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In his first presidency, Donald Trump vowed to “drain the swamp of Washington DC” - PR agents and all. So, how can a second Trump presidency possi...

Telling the truth, being on TV and the best PR comebacks

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis let When It Hits the Fan listeners set the agenda and answer questions sent in to the Fan postb...

Inside prestige PR, Starbucks and a cheese heist

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis lift the lid on the rarely talked about world of establishment PR and the great battle for influence happening behind th...

Could PR have helped Liam Payne?, Thomas Tuchel and the Trump biopic

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of the death of the One Direction star Liam Payne, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the role of protection in PR. Advisers are often ...

Kamala Harris, Man City v the Premier League and LinkedIn

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David and Simon discuss Kamala Harris’s interview on the hit US podcast Call Her Daddy. What can British politicians and business leaders learn abou...

Why Keir needs Bikeshed PR, Strictly’s tabloid battle and Undo Send!

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why does Keir Starmer need to start taking people behind the Number 10 bikesheds and having a quiet word? David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain 'bikes...

Ozempic, Phillip Schofield and PR on screen

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is there such a thing as too much good PR? It seems everyone is talking about the weight-loss drug Ozempic - David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at why...

Al Fayed revelations, and the Murdoch succession battle

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Following the BBC investigation into Mohamed Al Fayed, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the circle of reputational protection that existed around...

BBC in crisis, laughing at Trump and the elephant in the room

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David and Simon discuss Huw Edwards, Strictly Come Dancing and the BBC in crisis. How is the corporation dealing with being in the news for all the wr...

Kate’s video and Labour PR in power

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the Princess of Wales’ unprecedented video announcing the end of her chemotherapy treatment. There has been no...

Quick Wins: How to Lead

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David and Simon share their advice on how to lead

Quick Wins: How to Deal with Online Abuse

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David and Simon share their advice on how to deal with online abuse.

When It Hits The Fan x Today Podcast Summer special: Is journalism in crisis?

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amol and Nick use their decades of experience as journalists to discuss the future of news in this special episode of The Today Podcast. Joining them ...

Quick Wins: How to Deal with Backstabbers

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David and Simon share their advice on how to deal with backstabbers.

Quick Wins: How to Get Ahead When You're Shy

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David and Simon share their advice on how to get ahead when you're shy.

Quick Wins: The Nine Circles of Media Hell

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their tips on dealing with the media

Quick Wins: How to break unwelcome news

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins is a series of mini episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to steer you through your own personal PR in your working life.In this epis...

Trump shooting, Biden and loser PR

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss an extraordinary and terrifying weekend of political drama in the US, with the attempted assassination of Donald...

Can Keir kill spin?

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Just days after Sir Keir Starmer entered Downing Street, David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a special deep dive into what may prove to be a great comm...

Positive campaigning, how to deal with disappointment and why PR loves Wimbledon

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the UK general election upon us, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the two sides of campaigning of all kinds – positive PR and negative PR....

When It Hits The Fan x The Today Podcast x Newscast

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Three podcasts, one question: How influential is the media on the election?Newscast, The Today Podcast and When It Hits The Fan are coming together fo...

Taylor Swift’s PR stardust, the Putin effect and Southgate’s pundit problem

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss Taylor Swift’s 'magical air cover' and the power of having your photo taken backstage or anywhere inside the E...

Can Starmer do PR?, the Green Party and being Taylor Swift's ex

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis administer the Fan Hitter PR slide rule to Sir Keir Starmer's election campaign. How has the Labour leader dealt with so...

Sunak's D-Day blunder, is Farage using dog whistles?, and Mike Lynch

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David and Simon analyse what is arguably the biggest PR moment in British electoral history - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to leave the D-Day...

Private school PR, Lib Dem tactics and Trump's conviction

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at why private schools seem to be losing the PR battle over their VAT exemption. A core principle of PR is to antic...

General Election PR strategy and the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis debate the first of a series of PR reviews into the up and coming general election. Starting with Rishi Sunak's announce...

Quick Wins: How to say no

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins is a series of short episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to help you navigate your own personal PR.In your professional life as wel...

UK water crisis, the Rich List and PR wellbeing

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss South West Water’s handling of the Brixham water contamination and what this tells us about the fundamental pr...

Quick Wins: How to say sorry

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Wins is a series of short episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to help you navigate your own personal PR.In this episode, David Yelland a...

Apple’s ad backlash, 'I’m not your mum' and Zahawi’s exit strategy

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, two of the world’s biggest tech companies have found themselves in PR crises of their own making. Why did Apple's new iPad Pro 'crush' ad...