What does PRWeek’s UK Top 150 Consultancies project tell us about the agency world in 2026 and beyond? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.

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, PRWeek journalists Danny Rogers (editor-in-chief), John Harrington (UK editor) and Siobhan Holt (deputy editor) delve into some of the main findings from PRWeek’s flagship UK Top 150 Consultancies project, which went live this week.

They look at how agencies are increasingly having to run to stand still, especially given the pressure on margins, despite the agency sector overall being in growth.

The trio discuss what agency leaders are saying about trading in 2025 and so far this year, and look at trends across different sectors, including consumer, health and tech PR.

The journalists also discuss trends such as the apparent deprioritisation of media relations and the growing importance of AI, and look at changes in headcount, redundancies and more.

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PRWeek speaks to Sarah Lester, editor at Manchester Evening News (MEN), for the Future of the Media series. 

Among other things, Lester discusses what stories work, and how that has shifted PR and media relations; the rise of fake ‘experts’; whether press releases are getting worse; the advantage of video content and social media channels for news; how MEN journalists use AI; misinformation in the media and how to stop it; the future of the media and how she feels about the publishing industry.

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PRWeek speaks to Adam Leyland, editor-in-chief at The Grocer, for the Future of the Media series.

Among other things, Leyland discusses PR and media relations; the grocery trade title's social media strategy; how journalists use AI; and how PR can help with the UK's HFSS (high in fat, salt, or sugar) legislation.

Stay tuned for more interviews with editors, as part of the Future of the Media, which will be published on the podcast feed soon.

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The Apprentice contestant and PR specialist Lawrence Rosenberg and Andrew Bloch, the PR adviser to Lord Alan Sugar, are guests on this week’s PRWeek Beyond the Noise podcast episode.

Lawrence Rosenberg discusses his background in communications and public affairs, as well as his experiences on the BBC reality show The Apprentice.

On the show, the public affairs professional was looking to impress Lord Sugar and secure his mentorship, as well as a £250,000 investment in his business plan. He reached the final five candidates of the show. 

Andrew Bloch, PR adviser to Lord Alan Sugar, co-founded and led Frank PR as managing partner for 20 years before stepping back in 2020 to launch Andrew Bloch & Associates. He also works as an adviser to several firms in the PR and communications industry. 

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest communications and PR issues. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or on your favourite platform.

Rosenberg talks about what influenced him to take part in The Apprentice, what comms skills he used to maximise the opportunity, and chats about what PR skills have come in useful after appearing in the show.

Bloch explains how he first met Sugar, how he got involved in The Apprentice, and shares his insights from over the past 20 years.

Rosenberg responds to the criticism he received for his business plan, which was to launch a PR firm using AI technology. He also explains his future plans after the show. 

Bloch shares his view on Rosenberg’s business plan, and discusses how he is assisting the show’s winner, Karishma Vijay. 

Other topics discussed include reality TV stars becoming influencers and the biggest comms lessons Rosenberg has taken away from the experience. Bloch offers his advice to Rosenberg on how to monopolise on the comms and PR opportunities. 

Joining Rosenberg and Bloch on this episode is PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt.

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How can PR overcome its ageism problem? That’s the topic of PRWeek’s latest podcast.

Joining us this week is Madeleine Weightman, co-founder of The Work Crowd, which co-produced a recent studyshowing that comms is among the most-affected industries when it comes to age discrimination.

Our other guest is Ginny Paton, founder and MD of Ready or Not and president of Women in PR, which has also looked at the issues.

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 editor John Harrington, our guests discuss the main findings of the report, which was produced with Hanson Search and surveyed more than 200 senior industry leaders.

They look at some of the stereotypes about older workers in comms and discuss why they persist, and why our industry doesn’t appear to value experience more.

The guests discuss why ageism can affect women more than men. They offer advice for employers, and to employees who may have been affected.

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What’s the secret to launching a comms agency in today’s market? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a closer look.

This week’s Beyond the Noise episode features the founders of two new agencies: Gerry Wisniewski (pictured left), founder and managing director of Catchfire, and Fenella Grey (pictured right), co-founder of Hello Tomorrow.

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 reporter Elizabeth Wiredu, Grey and Wisniewski discuss the origins of their agencies and the biggest early-stage challenges, including recruitment, AI and cash flow.

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.

Finally, the duo offer their top tips for aspiring agency founders.

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PRWeek speaks to Natalie Evans, managing director of web editorial at LADbible, for the Future of the Media series.

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.

Stay tuned for more interviews with editors, as part of the Future of the Media, which will be published on the podcast feed soon.

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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”?

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”.

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Will Whitehorn OBE, Seraphim Space Investment Trust

Will Whitehorn OBE | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

• UK satellite manufacture
• UK universities
• SpaceX valuation
• Reuseable rockets
• Agricultural management
• Population pressure
• Climate crisis
• Solar power
• Data centres in space
• Industrialising in space

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PRWeek speaks to Christian May, editor-in-chief City A.M., for the Future of the Media series.

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.

The journalist also offers advice for anyone working in comms.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

After dissecting the McDonald’s CEO’s recent viral burger-bite clip, the guests assess the changing landscape of LinkedIn leadership.

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.

They also debate whether catering to algorithms is a good idea, and consider how much value social media engagement can actually provide a business.

Balancing personal and corporate branding for business leaders is among the other topics discussed.

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