The Grayling Media Podcast

What really makes great creative work happen? 

In this special episode of the Grayling Media Podcast, Head of Creative Andy Garner is joined by acclaimed actor Larry Lamb and film director Dan Ruttley, founder of Very Nice Films, for a candid and entertaining conversation about creativity, chemistry, connection and life behind the camera. 

Drawing on more than five decades in film and television, Larry shares lessons from productions including Gavin & Stacey, reflects on the inspiration behind his novel All Wrapped Up, and reveals why the relationships between actors, directors and crew can make such a difference to what eventually appears on screen. 

Dan brings the director’s perspective, exploring how preparation creates the freedom for spontaneity, why the emotional temperature of a set matters, and how directors can create the conditions for people to do their best work. 

Together, they explore the importance of trust, collaboration and positive energy; the egos and pressures that can derail creativity; and why some teams simply click.The conversation also looks to the future. How are TikTok, vertical video and changing audience behaviours reshaping filmmaking? What role should AI play in the creative process? And in a rapidly changing industry, is human connection becoming more important, rather than less? 

From Gavin & Stacey to AI, this is a conversation about what happens behind the camera – and the people, relationships and creative chemistry that make great work possible. 

In this episode: 
• Larry Lamb on five decades in film and television 
• Creativity, chemistry and connection behind the camera 
• Dan Ruttley on directing and getting the best from talent 
• What Gavin & Stacey taught Larry about the power of a crew 
• Why preparation creates space for spontaneity 
• The impact of ego, pressure and positivity on creative work 
• How TikTok and vertical video are changing filmmaking 
• AI and the future of creativity 
• Why great work ultimately comes down to people 

#LarryLamb #GavinAndStacey #Creativity #Filmmaking #CreativeIndustry #FilmProduction #ContentCreation #AI #PR #Marketing 

With the country’s political centre shifting north, Andy Burnham’s first months in No.10 have already got people talking about where power now sits in Britain – and what that could mean not just for the North, but for the country as a whole.

We were joined by Arooj Shah, Chair of Labour’s National Constitutional Committee (NCC), Henri Murison MBE, CEO of The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and Joshi Herrmann, Founder & Editor of Mill Media, with Alice Newsham leading the conversation.

The panel explored whether power is really moving away from Westminster, what a stronger northern voice could mean for our towns and cities, and how these changes could shape politics, business and decision-making across the UK. We also looked at how businesses and brands can make sure they’re part of the conversation as the political landscape evolves.

Hear the full discussion in the latest episode of our podcast – listen now.

In this episode of the Grayling Media Podcast, Heather Blundell, UK CEO at Grayling, is joined by Orianna Rosa Royle, Associate Editor at Fortune and one of the publication's most-read journalists.

Drawing on years of interviewing some of the world's most influential CEOs and founders, Orianna shares what she's learned about leadership, careers and the changing world of work. She also reflects on her own journey from experiencing homelessness while at university to building an award-winning career in journalism.

Together, they discuss:

• Why attitude often matters more than credentials
• What the world's top CEOs have in common
• AI's impact on careers and entry-level talent
• The biggest communication mistakes leaders make
• What authentic leadership really looks like
• Why hard work still matters in a changing workplace

Whether you're leading a team, building your career or thinking about the future of work, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest reflections.

Wales has just delivered one of its most seismic electoral results in a generation – and the implications stretch far beyond the Senedd.

In this special election episode of ⁠The Grayling Media Podcast⁠, host Siân Jones, Director of Grayling Cymru, is joined by Louis O’Geran, Senior Associate at More in Common, and Stewart Owadally, Campaigns and PoliticsDirector at Grayling, to deliver a sharp, unfiltered verdict on the Welsh election result.

They cover the scale of Labour's defeat, the rise of Reform and what it tells us about shifting voter sentiment, Plaid Cymru's path to government, and what it all means for businesses and organisations that need to engage with a completely new Senedd.

Whether you work in public affairs, communications, or simply want to understand what this result means for the future of Wales and UK politics, this is essential listening.

Want to understand what the new Senedd landscape means for your organisation? Get in touch with Grayling's Public Affairs and Wales teams to find out how we can help younavigate what comes next: [email protected] / [email protected].

If you would like to hear more from Louis and the team, you can catch them on the brand new podcast from More in Common on The Opinion Brief Podcast.

"Gradually, then suddenly" was how one of the characters from Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises described the oncoming of bankruptcy. That was also how it felt watching Welsh Labour succumb to its first electoral defeat in a century last week.

It was a defeat that had been coming for some time, but when it came it was still a shock. The result has changed the fundamentals of Welsh politics as they have existed since devolution, and now every party has to adapt to that change.

Join Grayling's Stewart Owadally with More in Common's Louis O'Geran and Grayling's Sian Jones, to discuss what led to such a seismic set of outcomes (yes, including 20mph), and to consider what it means for each party now.

Listen now:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/34d6tYb6bCT80dVmSAzeL7
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-ballot-box-wales-has-spoken-now-what/id1801024676?i=1000767421131

Wales has delivered its most dramatic electoral shift in a generation. Plaid Cymru are in power, Labour are reeling and Reform have arrived. But what really happened and why - and what comes next? Siân Jones sits down with More in Common’s Louis O’Geran and Stewart Owadally for a deep dive into the result and the reckoning.

The Grayling Media Podcast explores how today’s media is reshaping the world of communications and what it takes to thrive within it.

From newsroom dynamics and AI-driven storytelling to crisis response, leadership and representation, each episode offers insider insight from the journalists, editors, influencers and industry leaders shaping the headlines.

We uncover what makes a story resonate, how reputations are built or broken, and why the relationship between brands, leaders and the media has never been more complex.

As newsrooms evolve, audiences demand authenticity and interviews now span broadcast, digital, podcasts and social platforms, the stakes have never been higher. We go behind the headlines to reveal what the media really wants and how communicators can stay credible, visible and trusted in a 24/7 news cycle.

Wales has just delivered one of its most seismic electoral results in a generation – and the implications stretch far beyond the Senedd.

In this special election episode of ⁠The Grayling Media Podcast⁠, host Siân Jones, Director of Grayling Cymru, is joined by Louis O’Geran, Senior Associate at More in Common, and Stewart Owadally, Campaigns and PoliticsDirector at Grayling, to deliver a sharp, unfiltered verdict on the Welsh election result.

They cover the scale of Labour's defeat, the rise of Reform and what it tells us about shifting voter sentiment, Plaid Cymru's path to government, and what it all means for businesses and organisations that need to engage with a completely new Senedd.

Whether you work in public affairs, communications, or simply want to understand what this result means for the future of Wales and UK politics, this is essential listening.

Want to understand what the new Senedd landscape means for your organisation? Get in touch with Grayling's Public Affairs and Wales teams to find out how we can help younavigate what comes next: [email protected] / [email protected].

If you would like to hear more from Louis and the team, you can catch them on the brand new podcast from More in Common on The Opinion Brief Podcast.

In this episode of the Grayling Media Podcast, we explore the forces reshaping today’s media landscape through the lens of LGBTQ+ communications.

Ashley Daly, Head of Grayling Media is joined by Ben Cooper, Grindr’s Director of Consumer Comms and Marcus Wratten, Senior Entertainment Reporter at PinkNews, to unpack how increasing political polarisation, shifting media priorities and DEI backlash are impacting brands, publishers and audiences alike.

From social media scrutiny to declining funding across Pride and LGBTQ+ media, this conversation examines what it takes for brands to show up authentically and meaningfully.

Grindr: https://www.grindr.com/

PinkNews: https://www.thepinknews.com/

Grayling Media Podcast: https://grayling.com/uk/graylingmediapodcast/

Grayling UK: https://grayling.com/uk/home/

In this episode of the PRCA Fuse Podcast with Adrian Ma, Heather Blundell, UK CEO of Grayling - and one of the youngest leaders of a top UK PR agency - shares the unfiltered story behind her rapid rise, the risks she almost didn’t take, and what leadership really looks like behind the scenes.

Heather talks about hustle, imposter syndrome, motherhood, and the moments that can change your career forever, from jumping straight from Associate Director to MD, to leading aglobal agency while raising two young children, to why “nobody is coming to save you” as a leader.

 You’ll hear Heather’s honest take on:

- The breakthrough moment she almost talked herself out of

- Why women hesitate to go for big roles and why that needs to change

- What it takes to lead in a volatile, competitive market and Grayling's latest trends report

- How Grayling UK achieved a 0% gender pay gap and 50/50 board representation

- Why diversity of thought isn't optional, it's essential

- Her best career advice: Put your hand up and chase the work others avoid.

A must-listen for anyone building a career in PR, leadership, or creative industries.

Download Grayling's latest trends report.