Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast

<p>What’s the secret to launching a comms agency in today’s market? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a closer look.</p><br><p>This week’s Beyond the Noise episode features the founders of two new agencies: <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1924758/ex-edelman-uk-tech-chief-launches-agency#:~:text=Called%20Catchfire%2C%20the%20specialist%20agency,brands%20onto%20the%20world%20stage%E2%80%9D." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gerry Wisniewski <em>(pictured left)</em>, founder and managing director of Catchfire</a>, and <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1907887/industry-chiefs-fenella-grey-frankie-cory-launch-agency" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fenella Grey <em>(pictured right)</em>, co-founder of Hello Tomorrow</a>.</p><br><p>Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen on your favourite platform.</p><br><p>Speaking to PRWeek reporter Elizabeth Wiredu, Grey and Wisniewski discuss the origins of their agencies and the biggest early-stage challenges, including recruitment, AI and cash flow.</p><br><p>They also cover the importance of networking, growth targets and plans, as well as their views on building an independent agency versus the traditional large agency model.</p><br><p>Finally, the duo offer their top tips for aspiring agency founders.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>PRWeek speaks to Natalie Evans, managing director of web editorial at LADbible, for the Future of the Media series.</p><br><p>Among other things, Evans discusses what makes a good story for LADbible in 2026; becoming less reliant on Meta and Google’s algorithms; how LADbible is shedding its old stereotypes; co-creating content with brands; use of AI; and other advice for PR professionals.</p><br><p>Stay tuned for more interviews with editors, as part of the Future of the Media, which will be published on the podcast feed soon.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>How do we solve population pressure and climate crisis in space? How has GPS allowed us to provide 12% more food globally? How did the UK become a global leader in small satellite manufacture after the British Government said, “there’s no future for the UK satellite industry”? How did Elon Musk turn reusable rockets from science fiction to science fact in less than 20 years? What else are “Elon and Jeff” going to allow us to do? And why is SpaceX still “the elephant in the room”?</p><p> </p><p>Join Alice as she talks to Will Whitehorn, chair of giant space tech investor Seraphim and former president of Virgin Galactic, and they discuss the implications of “The Elon Musk show” and its legacy, “the beginnings of a competitive space industry of scale”.</p><p> </p><p>Contributors:</p><p><strong>Alice Bunn</strong>, President of UKspace </p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-alice-bunn-obe-fimeche-fraes-ceng-3b5141/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukspace/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>Will Whitehorn OBE</strong>, Seraphim Space Investment Trust</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-whitehorn-obe-aba80833/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Will Whitehorn OBE | LinkedIn</a></p><br><p><u>Key topics covered:</u></p><ul><li>UK satellite manufacture</li><li>UK universities</li><li>SpaceX valuation</li><li>Reuseable rockets</li><li>Agricultural management</li><li>Population pressure</li><li>Climate crisis</li><li>Solar power</li><li>Data centres in space</li><li>Industrialising in space</li></ul><p><br></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p><br></p><p>PRWeek speaks to Christian May, editor-in-chief City A.M., for the Future of the Media series.</p><br><p>Among other things, May discusses what stories work best for City AM and how that has changed; the rise of legal threats against media; print’s return; blurring lines between journalist and influencer; fake AI ‘experts’; whether press releases are getting worse; and the use of video, audio and AI.</p><br><p>The journalist also offers advice for anyone working in comms.</p><br><p>Stay tuned for more interviews with editors, as part of the Future of the Media, which will be published on the podcast feed over the coming weeks.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Executive profiling in the social-media age is the topic of this week’s Beyond the Noise podcast, considering the risks and rewards of having a ‘viral’ CEO.</p><br><p>In the latest episode of Beyond the Noise, PRWeek deputy news editor Evie Barrett is joined by Katy Bloomfield, managing partner of PR at b2b comms agency Definition, and Jordan Greenaway, founder and chief executive of thought leadership PR agency Profile.</p><br><p>Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen on your favourite platform.</p><br><p>After dissecting the <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1950551/marcomms-pros-chew-mcdonalds-ceo-viral-moment" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">McDonald’s CEO’s recent viral burger-bite clip</a>, the guests assess the changing landscape of LinkedIn leadership.</p><br><p>Bloomfield and Greenaway analyse how to capture a CEO’s genuine voice – even when dealing with someone who’s camera-shy or social media-averse.</p><br><p>They also debate whether catering to algorithms is a good idea, and consider how much value social media engagement can actually provide a business.</p><br><p>Balancing personal and corporate branding for business leaders is among the other topics discussed.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>What did the Space-Comm Expo conference and exhibition tell us about connecting space and wider business? How does this manifest as tech connectivity in telecoms and why do farmers care about that? What did we learn about the benefits of extreme cold in manufacturing laboratories and why do pharmas care about that? How vulnerable are global logistics to the spoofing of navigation signals? And why is the UK government centralising space strategy in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology?</p><p> </p><p>Join Alice and Jonners as they reflect on the UK space sector’s largest trade event and the “energy, diversity and …sheer scope of what this industry has to offer”.</p><p> </p><p>Contributors:</p><p><strong>Alice Bunn</strong>, President of UKspace </p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-alice-bunn-obe-fimeche-fraes-ceng-3b5141/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukspace/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>Jonathan Daves</strong>, The Karman Line</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-davies-174673170/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>Subscribe to The Karman Line</strong></p><p>Apple: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-k%C3%A1rm%C3%A1n-line/id1876605462" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-k%C3%A1rm%C3%A1n-line/id1876605462</a></p><p>Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3qED4CgdRDxfKKzYNKZCIH?si=lZ-I4a19SPGLAJL-dHi4DQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/show/3qED4CgdRDxfKKzYNKZCIH?si=lZ-I4a19SPGLAJL-dHi4DQ</a></p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheK%C3%A1rm%C3%A1nLineUK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@TheKármánLineUK</a></p><br><p><strong>Key topics covered:</strong></p><p>Space-Comm Expo, London, March 2026</p><p>Conference overview</p><p>Sector integration</p><p>Insurance</p><p>Customer utility</p><p>Government role</p><p>Future outlook</p><p> </p><p><u>Technological advancements</u></p><p>· Telecoms</p><p>· Manufacturing</p><p> </p><p><u>Defence and security</u></p><p>· Satellite capabilities</p><p>· Current threats</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Creative bravery is the topic of PRWeek’s latest podcast.</p><br><p>Joining PRWeek UK editor John Harrington this week are Ahalya Moxon, associate creative director at FleishmanHillard, and Shilpa Saul, partner at The Unmistakables.</p><p>Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen on your favourite platform.</p><br><p>The idea for this week’s episode was <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1945323/ai-creativity-at-tipping-point" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sparked by comments from Nicola Green</a>, Virgin Media O2’s chief communications and corporate affairs officer, at PRWeek’s Year Ahead Conference in January. Green said her brand’s “biggest fear is becoming undiscoverable”, meaning she’s keen to take “considered risks” that are “brave but not stupid”.</p><br><p>Our podcast guests examine some recent and historic campaigns that have arguably crossed the line from ‘brave’ into ‘stupid’ and analyse why they fell down.</p><br><p>They look at how campaigns can find that balance to be provocative enough to be remembered without drawing damaging criticism.</p><br><p>The duo discuss whether there are times when ‘playing it safe’ is the best approach; whether there are generational differences regarding creativity; and stress the importance of having diverse perspectives when creating campaigns. Saul also argues that people are “losing the art of critical thinking”.</p><p>Finally, the guests look at how to respond if a campaign receives heavy criticism.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>How is Reach, the publisher of The Mirror and the Daily Express, cracking down on fake AI ‘experts’? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.</p><br><p>Our guest on Beyond the Noise this week is David Higgerson, chief content officer at Reach.</p><p>Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or listen on your favourite platform.</p><p>The Mirror and Daily Express publisher <a href="https://www.prweek.co.uk/article/1948218/reach-whitelist-trusted-pr-firms-curb-fake-ai-experts-criticises-cision" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">last month confirmed</a> it was compiling a directory of trusted PR agencies, and considering blocking emails from domains it doesn’t trust, to stop the rise of fake AI ‘experts’. It followed a series of high-profile incidents reported by Press Gazette in which media titles, some owned by Reach, inadvertently quoted ‘experts’ in articles who were later exposed as fake.</p><p>Speaking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, Higgerson discusses how widespread the problem of fake ‘experts’ being put forward as case studies has become in the age of AI.</p><p>He talks through what Reach has been doing as part of its crackdown, including how the publisher is using AI itself to tackle the problem, and the importance of strong journalist/PR relationships.</p><p>Higgerson tells the podcast there is “no danger” of legimate comms professionals being prevented from contacting Reach journalists as part of the actions.</p><p>Separately, he discusses other recent developments at Reach, whose stable also includes OK! magazine, the Daily Star and a host of regional newspapers. This includes the growth in specialist video roles, how Reach journalists are using AI, and the impact of Google AI summaries on traffic.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>PRWeek’s latest podcast examines how the PR industry in the UAE, and the wider Middle East, has been responding to the new crisis.</p><br><p>Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-noise-the-prweek-podcast/id1513615965" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0onUHcQsn5ITC1lYtW89jZ?si=c965c18c49724d2c&nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, or on your favourite platform.</p><br><p>Our guest this week is Conrad Egbert, who is based in Dubai and leads the PRCA’s operations in the MENA region.</p><br><p>Events in the Middle East have dominated the news in recent days following the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran, and the retaliatory strikes directed at several US allies in the region. This includes the United Arab Emirates, which is home to a particularly thriving PR industry.</p><br><p>Speaking to PRWeek journalists John Harrington and Eliza Wiredu on Tuesday afternoon (3 March), Egbert discusses what life is like on the ground in Dubai in the aftermath of the strikes, and during the ongoing crisis.</p><br><p>He talks about how the PR industry is adapting to the situation, including how agencies are handling live events and supporting employees and clients alike.</p><br><p>He analyses how the authorities have been handling their communications and bemoans the deluge of mis- and disinformation appearing online.</p><br><p>Egbert also explains how PR in the UAE will “bounce back” after the crisis.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>As of 2026, the UK space industry is a significant and strategic driver of the national economy, contributing over £19 billion in revenue and supporting tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs. Satellite-based services and data underpin roughly 18% of UK GDP, equivalent to approximately £454 billion of the wider economy. And the sector is growing exponentially.</p><br><p>But this is just the tip of the iceberg. For the space industry to fully realise its potential it needs more of the right people to understand what’s happening and get involved. People like policy makers, investors, regulators, planners, communicators, lawyers and consultants.</p><br><p>Dr Alice Bunn, the president of UK Space, and her panel of guests, Sam Alden co-CEO of Space Solar, Nick Shave managing director of Astroscale and Anushka Sharma founder of Naaut, discuss the surprising, awe inspiring business of space and make the compelling case for why more companies and investors should get involved. </p><br><p>Contributors:</p><p>Host:</p><p><strong>Alice Bunn</strong>, President of UKspace </p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-alice-bunn-obe-fimeche-fraes-ceng-3b5141/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukspace/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn</a></p><br><p>Guests:</p><p><strong>Nick Shave</strong>, Managing Director of Astroscale</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-shave-fraes-5b19789/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nick Shave FRAeS | LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/astroscale/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Astroscale: Overview | LinkedIn</a></p><br><p><strong>Sam Adlen</strong>, CEO of Space Solar</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samadlen/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Adlen | LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-solar-ssl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Space Solar: Overview | LinkedIn</a></p><br><p><strong>Anushka Sharma</strong>, founder of Naaut</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anushkasharma/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anushka Sharma | LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/naaut/about/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Naaut: About | LinkedIn</a></p><br><p><strong>Key topics covered:</strong></p><p><u>Impact of Space on Everyday Life</u></p><ul><li>Practical Applications</li><li>Environmental Monitoring</li><li>Global Security</li></ul><p><br></p><p><u>Sustainability and Innovation in Orbit</u></p><ul><li>Space Debris</li><li>Manufacturing in Microgravity</li><li>Space-Based Solar Power</li></ul><p><br></p><p><u>Economic and Regulatory Landscape</u></p><ul><li>Cost Reduction</li><li>Investment and Finance</li><li>Regulation and Policy</li></ul><p><br></p><p><u>The Future of Space Exploration</u></p><ul><li>New Platforms</li><li>Academic Contribution</li></ul><p><br></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>