AI can now do in minutes what used to take PR people hours, years, or a genuinely careful readthrough. This month, Richard Stone is joined by Martin Deakin, Lorna Farnell-Smith and guest Danny Herbert (managing director of Spring Thinking) to work through what that's doing to three different corners of the industry: how agencies price their time, how junior PR people actually learn the job, and how anyone tells a real sentence from an AI-written one.

'Nobody cares about day rates anymore' – are billable hours dead?, PR Week

If AI does the junior work, how will PR develop its next generation of trusted senior advisors?, PRmoment

LinkedIn adds a button to report AI-generated slop, TechCrunch

In this episode of This is PR, Richard Stone, Lorna Farnell-Smith and Martin Deakin sit down to discuss the widening gap between GenAI experimentation and measurable business impact, following new ISBA research showing the proportion of advertisers scaling their AI use has stalled at 18 per cent for a second year running.

The conversation moves to a Guardian investigation into CT Group, the lobbying firm co-founded by Lynton Crosby, accused of paying journalists to place articles favourable to its clients. The panel weighs up what it means for trust in an industry with no mandatory code of conduct.

The episode closes on AI-washing, and the pressure PR teams are under to relabel ordinary automation as artificial intelligence to keep pace with the hype.

In the latest episode of The Junction Box, Ian Bolland is joined by Stone Junction’s managing director Richard Stone and Danny Herbert, brand strategist and consultant to talk about painting your brand as the hero.

The wide-ranging conversation touches upon the transferable nature and applicability of narrative beats – using well known advertising campaigns and films as a reference point.

They also touch upon the importance of good briefs and the impact of technologies, including artificial intelligence, can impact the practices in the modern PR world.

Find out more about Stone Junction’s storytelling by visiting www.wechangeminds.com

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by Caroline Law to discuss the role of coaching culture

in a business.

The pair discuss how this can be applied across a range of business, the differences

between coaching and mentoring, and how the skills attained by public relations

professionals at Stone Junction can help get the best out of your marketing

campaign.

To find out more about Stone Junction, visit the company’s website at www.wechangeminds.com

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by David Boot, Head of Public Affairs and LNER and Chair of the CIPR’s committee on Public Affairs.

The pair discuss the current landscape for lobbying in the UK, the current legislation that governs the practice, the differences for individuals, companies and agencies, and the reforms he feels that need to take place. David also offers his advice on how to go about including public affairs in public relations campaign, demonstrating how to follow the rules, and how to be seen to follow the rules.

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by Andrew Bruce-Smith, director of Escherman and Chair of the AI in PR Panel for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

Drawing on his extensive expertise in artificial intelligence tools, Bruce-Smith discusses the evolution of AI in PR and marketing, outlining how these technologies have transitioned from complex and specialised systems to accessible, everyday tools. He explains how the rise of user-friendly software has sparked a significant increase in adoption across the industry, transforming workflows and enabling professionals to achieve better results with greater efficiency. Bruce-Smith also offers practical insights into how businesses can effectively implement AI technologies into their communications strategies, ensuring they maximise opportunities while avoiding common pitfalls.

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by David Wallach, Head of Marketing at PolyScience. After meeting at Lab Innovations 2024 with Phil Parkinson, Manager of Wrexham FC, present on the company’s stand, the pair discuss how using a figure from a seemingly unrelated field can help generate interest at laboratory trade show.

The pair delve into Wallach’s thinking in targeting Parkinson – which featured his Emmy Award winning background – how he went about it, and why such a daring marketing campaign can reap rewards.

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by Neil Mead, marketing & strategy director at Kuka Robotics to discuss what it’s like to move over from trade journalism to marketing within the engineering sector.

Neil explains how his background in journalism informs his work as a marketeer today and provides insight into what he looks for from public relations professionals.

The Junction Box: insights into technical PR and

manufacturing media

In this episode of The Junction Box podcast, account manager

Ian Bolland welcomes Marc Thirkell, editor of Manufacturing and Engineering

Magazine (MEM). Known for delivering the latest UK engineering and

manufacturing news, MEM provides insights across a broad spectrum of industry

sectors.

Marc reflects on his diverse career, transitioning from the

manufacturing industry to public relations and eventually journalism. Sharing

insights from his role at MEM, he discusses the characteristics of an effective

PR firm in engineering and technical industries and the importance of

understanding what journalists need from press releases and feature pitches.

The conversation also dives into how PR companies play a

critical role in bridging the gap between businesses and media, offering expert

guidance to ensure their clients’ stories make an impact. Whether you're

exploring podcast services or seeking insight into manufacturing media, this

episode provides practical knowledge for industry professionals.

Discover how understanding public relations and media can

elevate your brand’s voice. Listen to the full podcast now.

On the first episode of The Junction Box, account director Leah Elston-Thompson is joined by Nikesh Mistry – sector head of industrial automation at GAMBICA – covering the effects of Industry 4.0 and the effect that automation has had on businesses.

The duo talk about GAMBICA’s footprint in the sector, as well as the automation trade media landscape.