PR in the Real World

Steve Dunne started in PR at 16 and was leading corporate comms at BT by his mid-20s. In this episode, he shares what he’s learned across decades in the industry - from building real expertise to handling rejection and pressure. It’s honest, practical advice on what it really takes to build a successful career in PR, whatever stage you’re at.Links and ReferencesSteve Dunne – Digital Drums: https://www.digitaldrums.co.ukSteve Dunne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-dunne-fprca-a1b527a/The PRCA: https://www.prca.global/The CIPR: https://www.cipr.co.uk/PR in the Real World podcast: https://www.vivapr.co.uk/viva-podcast/Viva PR: https://www.vivapr.co.ukSimilar episodes25 Lessons from 25 Years with Graham Goodkind: https://www.vivapr.co.uk/graham-goodkind-on-25-lessons-from-25-years-of-frank-pr/

In this episode of PR in the Real World, Edna Boampong shares her journey from student party promoter to Director of Communications and Engagement at Liverpool City Council. She talks about data-led behaviour change, public sector comms, anti-racism, diversity in NHS communications, and the very real challenge of dealing with online abuse while protecting both audiences and staff.Links and referencesConnect with Edna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edna-boampong/ Edna’s appointment: https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/liverpool-city-council-appoints-new-director-of-communications-and-engagement/ Edna Boampong – NHS Confederation profile: https://www.nhsconfed.org/people/edna-boampong Liverpool City Council – anti-racism commitment / This is Liverpool: https://liverpool.gov.uk/council/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/our-commitment-to-anti-racism Talking Bins / We’re Talking Bins campaign: https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/third-liver-bird-highlights-liverpools-poor-recycling-rates Healthier Together programme (Greater Manchester): https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/news/healthier-together-integrated-impact-assessment-forums Similar episodesWhen PR is tested in real life with Sarah Keaveny https://www.vivapr.co.uk/when-pr-is-tested-in-real-life/ What Dry January can teach you about behaviour change with Joe Marley https://www.vivapr.co.uk/what-dry-january-can-teach-you-about-behaviour-change/ How brave and inclusive marketing can change lives with Louise Marsden https://www.vivapr.co.uk/pr-in-the-real-world-how-brave-inclusive-marketing-changes-lives/Comms-led change in the NHS with Neil Greaves https://www.vivapr.co.uk/pr-in-the-real-world-neil-greaves-comms-led-change-in-the-nhs/

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/