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.

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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 agencies
• Opportunities of AI search
• AI job cuts
• WPP’s four-day office mandate
• Unilever’s eyebrow-raising influencer investment
• Continuing gender and ethnicity pay gaps

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In the latest Beyond the Noise podcast, PRWeek UK shares advice and top tips on how to win an award in PR. 

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.

On this week’s episode, PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt is joined by Melissa Clarke, senior events manager at Haymarket Media Group, who oversees several PR award schemes, including the annual PRWeek UK Awards. 

Also on the podcast is experienced industry judge David Fraser, founder and managing director of PR agency Ready10. His business has won numerous PR awards, from the PRCA to the CIPR schemes – including several PRWeek UK Awards – and this year received its first Cannes Lion for its work on ‘The Meal’ campaign for McDonald’s. 

In this episode, the pair chat about what it takes to win a PR award. They discuss what the judges are looking for, how to structure an award entry, and explain some of the common mistakes people can make when entering a campaign. 

They also offer advice to smaller agencies entering PR competitions on a limited budget and discuss the impact of AI technology. 

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How have press trips changed in recent years, and how can they be improved? PRWeek’s latest podcast takes a look.

The latest episode of Beyond the Noise features Grace Parker, senior partner at Finn Partners, and Heather Delaney, MD and founder of tech comms specialist Gallium Ventures.

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’s podcast looks at whether press trips have increased or declined in importance in recent years, and how they have changed.

Talking to PRWeek UK editor John Harrington, the guests discuss whether it is more difficult now to get journalists to attend press trips.

The issue of expectations around coverage is examined, and the duo discuss how, if at all, journalists and influencers should attend the same trips.

Delaney and Parker also reveal their own press trip ‘horror stories’ and offer top tips for getting them right.

Do you have any press release horror stories or unusual moments that you would like to share with PRWeek? Comments can be published anonymously. Email [email protected].

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In the latest Beyond the Noise podcast, PRWeek chats to the nation’s PE teacher Joe Wicks and explores the state of influencer marketing, The Body Coach’s ‘Activate’ campaign, and the impact of HFSS regulation on brand campaigns.

On this week’s episode, PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt and deputy news editor Evie Barrett are joined by Joe Wicks, fitness coach, author and social media star; and Julia Bainbridge, partner at Freuds Group, who leads the health and behaviour change unit.

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.

In the episode, Wicks and Bainbridge, who partnered with the UK Government to create the ‘Activate’ campaign, explain how the collaboration began and share insights into the national campaign. 

They examine the shifting landscape of influencer marketing, and reflect on the long-term goals and broader implications for health communications.

The guests also address Wicks’ recent ‘Killer Protein Bar’ stunt in collaboration with Channel 4, and analyse the impact of HFSS regulation on brand campaigns and partnerships.

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The latest Beyond the Noise podcast explores progression and promotions for women in the industry.

PRWeek news reporter Elizabeth Wiredu speaks with Clara Biu, head of consumer communications at Allwyn UK, and Laura Gillen, UK managing director at We. Communications, who share advice on how to get promoted.

Both Biu and Gillen, are involved in this year's Mentoring Programme from Women in PR and PRWeek.

Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.

The discussion covers career progression, mentorship, and what it takes to build an inclusive environment for women in PR.

Addressing the “penalty” many women face, such as taking time off or working reduced hours for family or personal reasons, the guests outline the tangible changes the PR industry must make to better support women through key life stages.

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What do clients really want, and not want, from agencies? That’s the focus of the latest PRWeek podcast, featuring Angela Balakrishnan, executive director of strategic communications and public affairs at the Information Commissioner's Office.

Beyond the Noise, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

Speaking to PRWeek deputy editor Siobhan Holt, Balakrishnan offers some dos and don’ts of client pitching and advises on how to get on pitch lists in the first place.

She explains what the brief should include and when budgets should be discussed. 

Elsewhere, the comms professional offers a glimpse behind the ICO’s upcoming campaigns.

Balakrishnan also speaks about cyber attacks and offers advice for comms and PR professionals on how to handle data breaches for clients. 

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Christmas campaigns are under the spotlight in PRWeek’s latest Beyond the Noise podcast. 

Our guests are Greg Double, creative director at Burson, and Lora Martyr, executive creative director at Taylor Herring and St Marks Studios.

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’s UK editor, John Harrington and deputy editor, Siobhan Holt, the guests discuss this year’s biggest Christmas campaigns, such as John Lewis, Aldi and Sainsbury’s. 

The duo chat about which festive campaigns stood out to them and why; and which campaign, in their opinion, didn’t work as well. 

In the episode, the pair analyse the earned media opportunities for this year’s festive films, and chat about influencers. 

The two creatives also argue that the incoming restrictions on TV and online promotion of food and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) present an opportunity for the PR and comms industry. 

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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.

On this week’s episode, PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt is joined by two senior agency leaders – Graham Goodkind and Emily Morgan – to discuss the key factors behind agency longevity, focusing on profitability, agency culture and retention of talent.

Goodkind, former managing director of Lynne Franks PR and founder and chairman of Frank PR, is celebrating the agency’s 25th anniversary this year

Emily Morgan, managing director of operations and innovation at Red Consultancy, is also marking 25 years with the business.

In this episode, the pair chat about agencies avoiding over-reliance on major clients, how to achieve long-term profitability and the impact of AI on the PR and comms sector. 

The pair also offer one piece of advice to PR agency bosses, and discuss the importance of maintaining physical and emotional well-being when running a PR agency, and how leadership attitudes shape company culture.

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In the latest PRWeek podcast, non-executive directors Alison Clarke and Michael Murphy explain how to reposition a comms agency during difficult times.

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.

On this week’s episode, PRWeek UK deputy editor Siobhan Holt is joined by two non-executive directors – Alison Clarke and Michael Murphy – to discuss how to reposition a comms agency during difficult times, focusing on client fees, restructuring and staff redundancies.

An experienced comms professional, Clarke has held senior roles at Weber Shandwick and Grayling, and now runs her own consultancy, Alison Clarke Consulting. Michael Murphy has also held top leadership roles at Grayling and Weber Shandwick and now advises We. Communications, Lodestone and Action Global.  

In this episode, the pair chat about when an agency should consider increasing its fees, how to approach the topic with clients, and explain how to stop working with a client without jeopardising the relationship or their agency’s reputation.

Clarke also warned that PR agencies must avoid a ‘race to the bottom’ in relation to client fees. 

The two comms professionals discuss when an agency leader should consider restructuring a team, and what frameworks to follow. They also offer advice on how best to handle redundancies and what factors the leadership team should consider. 

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