PR in the Real World

In this episode of PR in the Real World, Harry Bradshaw, Communications Manager at the Centre for Social Justice, explains how think tanks turn research into real political influence.Harry takes us inside the SW1 'bubble', revealing how data, media coverage and strategic communications help push policy ideas onto the national agenda. Harry shares how attention-grabbing statistics, journalist relationships and targeted engagement with MPs can move issues from reports to Parliament.Packed with practical lessons, Harry also shares how PR professionals can better influence policymakers by making life easier for time-poor politicians.Harry is running the London Marathon in aid of Power2 - a CSJ charity. Power2 work in school's across the country to give students the support and guidance they need to reach their potential. You can donate, here: http://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/harry-bradshawLinks and ReferencesCentre for Social Justice – https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.ukCSJ Alliance (network of small charities) – https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/about-us/allianceUniversal Credit (UK welfare reform referenced) – https://www.gov.uk/universal-creditModern Slavery Act 2015 – https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/modern-slavery-actWeMindTheGap charity – https://wemindthegap.org.ukOther similar episodesHow PR Changes Policy with Ruth Boston - https://www.vivapr.co.uk/pr-in-the-real-world-how-pr-changes-policy-influencing-the-national-agenda-with-ruth-boston/

In this episode, Tony sits down with David Higgerson, Chief Content Officer at Reach plc, who oversees journalism across 130+ UK titles including the Mirror and Express. They discuss how newsrooms have shifted from print-first to digital-first, what makes a story land with today’s audiences, the rise of “fake experts” and Reach’s response, and how data and AI are being used to strengthen local journalism.Links and ReferencesReach plc – https://www.reachplc.comManchester Evening News (MEN) Awaab Ishak investigation – https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/death-two-year-old-awaab-25740113Nottinghamshire Live – https://www.nottinghampost.comPress Gazette (fake experts investigation) – https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/fake-experts-seo-journalism/IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) – https://www.ipso.co.ukBBC Local Democracy Reporting Service – https://www.bbc.com/lnp/ldrsShelter – https://www.shelter.org.uk

In this episode of PR in the Real World, Professor. Lucy Easthope, the UK’s leading voice in disaster recovery and crisis response, shares what truly matters when tragedy hits. It’s all about language, dignity and the ‘helicopter view’ comms teams need beyond perfect wording. Lucy unpacks ‘Hopium’, truth vs trust, the legal cliff-edge after crises and how to train braver, more human crisis comms for a 24/7 world.Links and ReferencesDr. Lucy Easthope – When the Dust Settles (book): https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/lucy-easthope/when-the-dust-settles/9781529358247 Dr. Lucy Easthope – Come What May (book): https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/lucy-easthope/come-what-may/9781399736220/ Desert Island Discs (Lucy Easthorpe episode, BBC Radio 4): https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/episodes/7DrsUDD/ Word of Mouth with Michael Rosen (episode featuring Lucy on disaster dialogue): https://open.spotify.com/episode/0To7fGDQwhztBumvv5tcnu BBC Radio 4 – Are You Ready? (programme mentioned): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002n7mh Good Housekeeping (Lucy’s emergency preparedness interviews mentioned): https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/health/a64618387/prepemergency-disaster/ Hillsborough (TV drama by Jimmy McGovern): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116533/ Amanda Coleman – work/book on reputation in crisis communications (mentioned): https://www.koganpage.com/marketing-communications/strategic-reputation-management-9781398617308 Amanda Coleman on PR in the Real World: https://www.vivapr.co.uk/pr-in-the-real-world-crisis-leadership/

In this 50th episode of PR in the Real World, Flo Taitsch, Vice President Communications and Marketing at Eurofighter Typhoon, joins Tony Garner in the Bavarian Alps to unpack how The Fighter Show grew into a global social media powerhouse. They explore access and trust in a highly scrutinised sector, the metrics that really matter over time, and what sustainable success looks like beyond views alone. It’s a candid conversation about modern comms leadership - believing in the idea, preparing for impact, staying professional under pressure and taking calculated risks that deliver real-world results.Links and ReferencesConnect with Flo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-taitsch-10aa29224/ Eurofighter Typhoon: https://www.eurofighter.com/ The Fighter Show (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@TheFighterShow Viva PR: https://vivapr.co.uk/ Royal International Air Tattoo: https://www.airtattoo.com/ Spitzingsee (setting): https://www.spitzingsee.de/Other episodes: https://www.vivapr.co.uk/viva-podcast/

In this episode of PR in the Real World, Sarah Keavney, Head of External Communications, Manchester Metropolitan University, shares what she’s learned from a career that’s taken her from local journalism to the front line of public sector crisis communications.This one is about what PR looks like when it’s real people, real pressure and real consequences.Sarah reflects on her early reporter days at the Bury Times and Bolton News, where she learned the value of trusted relationships, resilience under deadline, and telling human stories with impact. She then takes us inside 14 years at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, from managing live incidents to communicating through tragedy -including the death of a firefighter.We also unpack the long-running scrutiny and reputational pressure that followed the Manchester Arena attack and the Arena Inquiry, and why humility, evidence and asking the awkward questions matter when an organisation has to prove genuine improvement.Finally, Sarah talks us through the award-winning ‘Is This Okay?’ campaign tackling violence against women and girls - how it came together fast, landed with men as well as women, and sparked the kind of conversation behaviour change depends on - before sharing why she’s now focused on proactive, purpose-led comms at Manchester Met.A must-listen for PR and comms professionals working in crisis, public sector, behaviour change, or anyone trying to do meaningful work without losing themselves in the process.Links and references Is This Okay? Campaign: https://isthisokgm.com/Mayor of Greater Manchester – Is This Okay? campaign launch: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/news/mayor-launches-latest-stage-of-campaign-to-tackle-gender-based-violence-with-hard-hitting-film/Greater Manchester Gender-Based Violence Strategy: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/safer-and-stronger-communities/gender-based-violence/isthisokManchester Metropolitan University: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/Manchester Metropolitan University – About: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/about-us/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service: https://manchesterfire.gov.uk/More PR in the Real World: https://www.vivapr.co.uk/viva-podcast/

In this episode of PR in the Real World, Joe Marley, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at Alcohol Change UK, takes us inside the thinking behind Dry January - one of the UK’s most recognisable and enduring behaviour change campaigns.This episode is all about what it really takes to build — and sustain — a campaign that has become part of the cultural calendar, while staying rooted in evidence, trust and real-world impact.Joe shares the origins of Dry January, from its humble beginnings as a personal experiment to a global challenge used by millions of people each year. We explore why January works so well as a moment for behaviour change, and how the campaign deliberately avoids judgement or prescription — instead meeting people wherever they are in their relationship with alcohol.From a communications perspective, Joe unpacks the realities of running an annual campaign for nearly 15 years. He explains how Alcohol Change UK keeps Dry January feeling fresh by leaning into participant stories, community ambassadors and long-term outcomes. We also talk about the pressure of year-on-year comparisons and why 'sanity metrics' matter more than vanity numbers when you’re focused on genuine change.The conversation also dives into the strategic role of tools like the Try Dry app, the science behind supported behaviour change and why the most important day of Dry January might actually be the 1st of February. Joe also shares how creative activations — including the 'Funny AF' comedy campaign — are used to challenge cultural assumptions about alcohol while keeping the tone approachable, human and engaging.A must-listen for PR and communications professionals working on behaviour change, health campaigns, or any long-term initiative where trust, evidence and impact matter more than quick wins.Links and ReferencesAlcohol Change UK: https://alcoholchange.org.ukDry January campaign: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/managing-your-drinking/dry-january/about-dry-january/the-dry-january-storyTry Dry app: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/managing-your-drinking/dry-january/get-involved/the-dry-january-appAlcohol Change UK Campaigns: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns