Digital Download with Paul Sutton

In 2006 I quit my secure, salaried job in a PR agency to set up a business selling luxury pet accessories. Three years later and I was just a few short weeks away from losing my house and being declared bankrupt. The pressure and stress I went through during the several years before and after that time were incredible. And yet I’m not sure I’d really change it if I could. Had I not started that business I would not have learned all about digital marketing, social media, SEO and PPC advertising. I wouldn’t be doing what I am now, have worked with the huge brands I have, or have won awards for my work.

Today’s Digital Download is a rebroadcast of a recent episode of the Socially Unacceptable podcast, which I was asked to guest upon. As well as delving into the detail of what I learned during those failed years, we also talk about freelancing as a career choice, and about the benefits of podcasting for businesses.

The average person spends the equivalent of one entire month per year looking at their phone. They check it an average of 58 times per day. Overall screen time is at an all time high of 12 hours per day. And the impact on both our mental and physical health, as well as that of our kids, is stark. From a professional perspective, productivity suffers and burnout rates are high. And from a personal perspective, anxiety and mental health issues have never been as great.

Techtimeout is a digital wellbeing initiative focused on helping us to reduce screen time and achieve a more balanced relationship with technology. On today’s Digital Download we take a look at the issues behind excessive screen time, the impacts it has and what we can do about it.

In the face of changes in the way Google works, how artificial intelligence is making inroads into copywriting and data analysis, the decline of conventional media and developments at X (formerly Twitter), the communications industry is coming under increasing pressure to adapt. Technology has a big role to play in public relations over the next few years, and the key for the industry is to understand this and to evolve with it. 

On today’s Digital Download we take a look at where the communications industry is now and what technology is impacting it, and at how this is likely to change over the next year.

You can find the full transcript of this episode here: The Impact of Technology on PR Transcript

The introduction of Google Analytics 4 this summer was not exactly a surprise. Google had given several years’ warning that Universal Analytics would stop collecting data and that users should begin the transition to GA4 sooner rather than later. But being forced to use it is a whole other ball game, and has had digital marketers and communications professionals in fits of frustration and anger ever since! The user interface, lack of reporting and complexity has not gone down well.

On today’s Digital Download we’re delving into the world of GA4 and trying to explain what to do and how to do it in plain, simple language that anyone can get to grips with.

You can find the full transcript of this episode here: Google Analytics 4 Transcript

Social media is now 15 years old and communications consultants are grappling with a series of fundamental issues related to a brand or organisation’s use of social networks. While platforms implement updates on an almost daily basis, the bigger picture around whether a company should use specific networks has never been more sharply in focus. The answers to many of the questions arising from this are often extremely nuanced and far from straightforward, but understanding the macro picture helps to answer some of the micro questions.

On today’s Digital Download we’re looking at what’s happening in the world of social media and how this is likely to impact businesses over the next year.

You can find the full transcript of this episode here: Future of Social Media Transcript

Barely a day now goes by without a new climate milestone being broken or another extreme weather event wreaking havoc somewhere in the world. But while the causes of climate change are widely acknowledged, the solutions are complex. While we as individuals can take action by driving electric cars or not eating meat, the impact of such actions is extremely minimal. And with the Government now easing back on its action to tackle climate change, does the emphasis now fall on businesses to take up the slack?

On today’s Digital Download we’re looking at sustainable business and its role in preserving the future of the planet.

You can find the full transcript of this episode here: Sustainable Business Transcript

Artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era of effective intelligent and convenient communication. At least, that’s what ChatGPT would have you believe. But while the market for AI tools has exploded over the last few months, many of those working within the communications industry are left either confused or overwhelmed. And when you add the prospect of AI being left unchecked to develop at incredible speed and the fact that an increasing number of tech specialists have voiced their concerns, it’s all a bit of a worrying time.

So today on Digital Download we’re delving into AI: the potential impact on our jobs, the tools, the ethics, and where on earth we should start in order to future proof our careers!

You can find the full transcript of this episode here: Impact of AI Transcript

After a much longer than anticipated hiatus, the Digital Download podcast is back. And we’re diving back into the digital communications world with a series of shows intended to catch you up on the latest developments.

This season features topics including the profound impact of AI on the marketing communications industry, the latest in the ever evolving social media landscape, analytics and GA4, and the challenges of sustainable business in the communications industry. We have some wonderful guests coming up, so make sure you join us as we explore some fresh and to-the-point views on the core digital topics that matter right now.

Subscribe to receive new episodes automatically, and if you enjoy today’s show, please email it to a friend or share it on your favourite social media channels. And finally, it would also be very awesome and hugely appreciated if you’d take a moment to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser, as this helps others discover Digital Download.

As the UK sweltered through record high temperatures this week, climate misinformation went into overdrive. Recent reports show high levels of greenwashing and non-existent impact assessments of organisational climate initiatives and, quite simply, this has to change. This week Paul is joined by Laura Sutherland from the PRCA’s Climate Misinformation Strategy Group to discuss the responsibility that the entire communications industry has when it comes to tackling the crisis.

Subscribe to receive new episodes automatically, and if you enjoy today’s show, please email it to a friend or share it on your favourite social media channels. And finally, it would also be very awesome and hugely appreciated if you’d take a moment to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser, as this helps others discover Digital Download.

With social justice, the cost of living crisis, war in Ukraine, COVID, the environment and the US Senate dominating the news agenda, there’s an awful for consumers to take in. So when it comes to the brands they love, what do they really want to see? Action or escapism? This week Paul is joined by Marketing Manager Jack Richards to discuss Talkwalker and Hootsuite’s latest Brand Love report, which determines the 50 most loved brands in the world.

Subscribe to receive new episodes automatically, and if you enjoy today’s show, please email it to a friend or share it on your favourite social media channels. And finally, it would also be very awesome and hugely appreciated if you’d take a moment to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser, as this helps others discover Digital Download.