Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast

The shake-up of Omnicom’s PR agencies, and rumours that WPP could sell Burson, are examined in PRWeek’s latest podcast.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.PRWeek journalists John Harrington (UK editor), Siobhan Holt (deputy editor) and Evie Barrett (deputy news editor) discuss the bombshell news last week that Golin and Ketchum are to merge, and Porter Novelli will fold into FleishmanHillard, following Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG late last year.The trio look at what the industry has been saying about the news, whether they were surprised by it, and if they think it is a good idea.Separately, the team give their take on rumours that WPP could look to sell Burson as part of a restructure at the UK-headquartered holding company. They discuss reactions from experts to the alleged plan, and the likelihood of such a move.Finally, the journalists look at how important PR agencies are to the holding company giants.

Is this a watershed moment for public affairs? PRWeek UK’s latest podcast debates this question, following the increased scrutiny around ex-Labour politician Lord Peter Mandelson. Joining PRWeek’s Siobhan Holt on Beyond the Noise this week is Jon Gerlis, head of public relations and policy at the CIPR and Leon Cook, founder of Atticus Partners, who is an executive committee member on the PRCA’s public affairs board. Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.Lobbying is back in the headlines following increased scrutiny relating to former Labour politician and ambassador to the US, Lord Mandelson, and his closeness to the late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. The fallout has impacted Global Counsel, the advisory firm co-founded by the former MP, as well as the UK Government, with two high-profile resignations, including Downing Street comms chief Tim Allan.As a result, questions have been raised about ethics and lobbying in public affairs. On this week’s podcast, Gerlis and Cook debate the recent revelations and discuss the impact on the industry’s reputation. They examine whether tighter lobbying regulations are the answer, and whether the latest scandal is a tipping point for public affairs.  Finally, the pair chat about Allan’s departure from Number 10 and share their predictions for UK politics over the rest of 2026.

Are companies really retreating from ESG, or is the discipline evolving? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.Joining the latest episode of Beyond the Noise are Sarita Shah, senior vice-president at Weber Shandwick; and Sarah Ogden, chief client officer for Europe at Zeno Group.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Speaking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, the guests assess how companies’ approaches to ESG [environmental, social, and governance] policies really changed in 2025 amid the so-called ‘retreat from ESG’ in the second Trump presidency.This includes looking at regional differences between America, Europe and elsewhere, and asking whether it is ‘performative’ ESG that has been curbed.The role of comms in ESG, and how comms departments are embedding the skills, are also discussed. The duo examine major changes so far this year – and predict what lies ahead. They also question whether the ESG acronym will survive in the future, and discuss whether comms should ‘own’ the genre.Shah and Ogden begin the podcast by looking at the biggest lessons from the World Economic Forum in Davos – and how the industry should adapt to the ‘new world order’.

How are PR agencies handling their finances? PRWeek UK’s latest podcast takes a look, following the release of the groundbreaking Companies House Files.Joining PRWeek’s John Harrington and Elena Lewis on Beyond the Noise this week is Esther Carder, partner at the accountancy firm Moore Kingston Smith.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.PRWeek’s Companies House Files, which launched last week, gives readers exclusive insights into major trends across a range of topics, all drawn from data accessed via Companies House.This podcast episode asks important questions based on key findings revealed so far. These include:How acutely are agencies feeling the pressure on wage costs, and how has this changed in recent years?What is happening to agency headcounts?Are profits under greater pressure, and if so, why?What is happening to agency tax bills?Why has pay for agency bosses dipped?Carder also discusses her biggest concerns for agency finances in the period ahead, and offers advice on staying on top of the challenges.Stay tuned to prweek.co.uk over the coming months for more insights from the Companies House Files.

What do freelancers want from PR employers? – PRWeek podcastPRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast episode asks what freelancers want from PR employers.Joining the podcast this week are two experienced freelance PR professionals, Karolina Throssell and Kate Lam.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.Speaking to PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt, the guests discuss what made them switch to freelance work, what skills you need to be a successful freelancer, and how they find regular work in the comms and PR industry.The pair also chat about payment structures, and what a great client/freelancer relationship looks like, as well as their top tips to improve it.Finally, the two freelancers chat about how to combat loneliness and offer tips to any PR or comms professional considering going solo.

PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast episode takes a closer look at recruitment trends in 2026.Joining the podcast this week, from specialist comms and PR recruitment agencies, are Rohan Shah, co-founder of Reuben Sinclair, and Christabel Hosking, a recruitment consultant at Latte.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Speaking to PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt, the guests discuss the latest recruitment trends, including hiring across different job levels, salary trends and what benefits staff are looking for from PR employers. Shah and Hosking chat about the impact of AI on the recruitment industry, as well as the technology’s impact on job roles within PR, such as account executives. The duo also offer predictions on which job titles they think will be extinct in the PR industry in five years’ time.

What’s the secret to getting comms and messaging right around food in the post-HFSS world? PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast takes a look.Our guests this week are comms and food expert Mallika Basu, a strategy adviser at Blurred and author of the book, 'In Good Taste: What Shapes What We Eat and Drink – And Why It Matters'; and Harvey Choat, MD of food and drink PR agency Nexus.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.The government’s 'unhealthy food' ad ban, via the HFSS (high fat, sugar and salt) regulations that came into force on 5 January, prohibits any online advertising of HFSS foods and limits TV ads to after 9pm.Speaking to PRWeek journalists John Harrington and Evie Barrett, our guests discuss what impact the ban has had to date and how clients are reacting.They look at how food brands can build genuine loyalty under the new rules, how influencer marketing is likely to change, and how brands can grow organic engagement.Basu and Choat examine wider issues of food and communications, particularly around the promotion of healthy foods. They ask, among other things, what has happened to Veganuary - and what's the future of food stunts?The duo also discuss some of their favourite food comms campaigns of recent times.

What lies ahead for comms this year? PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast episode takes a look.Joining the podcast this week are Sarah Scholefield, group chief executive at Accordience, and Greg Jones, Europe CEO at Smarts.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Speaking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, the guests offer predictions on key areas including AI, ESG, influencer marketing, the comms workforce and the PR agency model.Scholefield and Jones discuss how client needs are likely to evolve in 2026, and speak about trends with client budgets and retainers. They also reveal how optimistic they are overall for the year ahead.

PRWeek UK journalists pick some of the most significant stories of 2025, in the final episode of the Beyond the Noise podcast of this year.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.This week, John Harrington (UK editor), Evie Barrett (deputy news editor) and Eliza Wiredu (reporter) each choose two stories or events from the year with implications that are likely to be felt in 2026 and beyond.Topics covered include:Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG and what it means for the PR agenciesOpportunities of AI searchAI job cutsWPP’s four-day office mandateUnilever’s eyebrow-raising influencer investmentContinuing gender and ethnicity pay gaps