PR in the Real World

In this episode of PR in the Real World, host Tony joins former Viva intern Harriet Dawson to chart her unconventional PR journey - from recovering from heart surgery and starting her career during the pandemic to making waves in Melbourne’s digital PR scene.Harriet opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of beginning her career at the onset of COVID-19, adapting to hybrid work and how PR in Australia differs from the UK. With humour and honesty, she reflects on how early exposure to impactful projects shaped her approach and why PR should give juniors more than just the mundane.Whether you're a PR professional or someone just starting out, Harriet’s story is packed with insights about building confidence, staying versatile and keeping the spark alive at work.Harriet’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harriet-dawson/

In this powerhouse episode of PR in the Real World, host Tony Garner welcomes Sarah Waddington - interim CEO of PRCA and co-founder of Socially Mobile - for a rich discussion on the current and future state of PR. Sarah shares her journey from regional agency leader to national advocate for professional standards, diversity and regional inclusion.We delve into the impact of geopolitical and technological changes, the role of AI in communications, and how initiatives like PitchForward and Socially Mobile are reshaping industry norms. Whether you're an agency leader, comms professional, or aspiring practitioner, this episode is packed with insights on leadership, lifelong learning and building a more inclusive PR industry.Want to know more about what we discussed? Here's some helpful links...Sarah's website: https://www.sarah-waddington.co.uk/Sarah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwaddingtoncbe/ Socially Mobile: https://www.sociallymobile.org.uk/CIPR: https://www.cipr.co.uk/PRCA Pitch Forward: https://www.prca.global/explore-pr/campaigns/prca-pitch-forwardFuture Proof Community: https://wadds.co.uk/futureproofInstitute of Directors: https://www.iod.com/

These days it seems you can’t escape AI discourse. Despite this, it’s rare for someone to cut through the noise and distil what’s really going on. This instalment of PR in the Real World with AI expert Ben Verinder is an exception.

What makes a campaign cut through? In this episode of PR in the Real World, we speak to one of the UK’s most respected creative strategists, Mark Perkins. From the award-winning 'Missing Type' campaign for NHS Blood and Transplant to the infamous 'Christmas Tinner' for GAME, Mark has built a career on finding bold, behaviour-changing ideas in the most unexpected places.We explore how a love of tabloid news and an eye for the absurd led him to a career creating stories that travel far and wide. Mark shares the thinking behind some of his most iconic work, including the campaign that saw brands drop letters from their logos to highlight the urgent need for blood donations, and how a can of gloopy Christmas dinner made global headlines.He talks us through his ‘minimum effort, maximum impact’ philosophy, why the best ideas often whisper rather than shout, and how to keep the audience – not the brief – at the center of creative thinking. We also hear about his move from agency life into training and mentoring, and why he believes that creativity can absolutely be taught.Whether you’re just starting out in PR or have been in the industry for years, this episode is packed with practical advice, fascinating stories and inspiration to help you think differently next time you’re faced with a challenging brief.

In her career Ann Rimmer has reckoned with building an agency from the ground up, business mergers in the millions, and making her own way as a consultant. From adopting hybrid working before it was trendy, to proving her agency’s strong jaw in rebuilding their client base after a 70% dip. Ann has insights worth listening to about what’s at the heart of branding, cultivating your own work culture and partnering with clients that fit. If you want to know what makes good branding good – make sure you catch this one.

From the murder of Jo Cox to cases of child neglect, this episode tackles the heavy stories head on – both professional and personal. This week’s is guest Dee Cowburn, who as a journalist turned comms pro, has navigated some of the UK’s most high-pressure stories.Dee also opens up about her daughter’s rare life limiting condition, and how navigating this alongside a demanding comms role led her to start her own consultancy. It’s a powerful conversation – one that challenges assumptions about success, work-life balance, and what it means to be ‘resilient’ in the real world. No matter your vocation, this one is a must listen.

Sarah is the Marketing Director at steel door manufacturer, Strongdor. Sarah takes what could be a dry, technical industry and has turned it into a platform for bold, people-first ideas that deliver impact. This episode is a masterclass in how creativity, strategic thinking, and bold decisions can cut through – even in the most unexpected sectors. Whether you’re working in B2B, managing a brand expansion, or just looking for ways to inject life into marketing, this one’s worth your time.

This episode of PR in the Real World has a different kind of guest in the hotseat. It’s the man behind the curtain, Viva’s own ‘producer Dan’. From landing work experience to launching this podcast from scratch, Dan’s story is one of experimentation and learning on the job. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most valuable lessons don’t come from training courses or textbooks, but from just jumping in headfirst. Whether you’re early in your PR career or want to cultivate junior talent, this episode is packed with sharp insights on growth, learning, and where comms is heading next.

This episode of PR in the Real World is a masterclass in stretching budgets, earning trust, navigating crises, and creating standout campaigns that drive genuine change. Whether you’re managing an internal comms machine, or trying to spark cultural shifts on minimal spend — this one’s for you.