David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the use of 'royal sources' in Prince Andrew's China crises and reflect on the big ideas that have shaped our world in 2024. What are the common themes that might help us understand and navigate our increasingly uncertain world a bit better?

They discuss how the Royal Family is the canary in the PR mine when it comes to dealing with the coming era of algorithms that work to channel negativity and disinformation, as well as the consequences of social media algorithms for all of us.

What does this mean for what happens next in 2025? How best to get a clear message out in a polluted ocean of information? In our changing world, the enduring power of storytelling and connection will be needed more than ever.

Producer: Eve Streeter

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these special short episodes, David Yelland and Simon Lewis give you lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes of your time.

In this episode: how to survive the office party. Should the "hub and spoke" or the SAS-style approach be your strategy for the night? David and Simon share their work wisdom on how to make sure you emerge with only good stories to tell.

Producer: Sophie Smith

David Yelland and Simon Lewis assess one of the biggest fan-hitters in the history of the media industry - Rupert Murdoch’s failure to win the legal battle to control who takes the reins of his media empire. What does this defeat mean for the world’s most famous media mogul and his legacy?

Also, in the wake of the shocking, fatal shooting of healthcare executive Brian Thompson in New York and the online reaction to it, how might this tragic event reshape the way business leaders relate to the world?

And – when Disney CEO Bob Iger says he’s up at 4am, should we take notes? Why do so many business leaders go public with their early-bird morning routines?

Producer: Eve Streeter

David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a 360 degree look at the Gregg Wallace/MasterChef crisis. They examine the errors of Wallace’s ways after one particularly ill-advised – or possibly unadvised – social media video post. What are the implications of the surfacing allegations for Banijay, the low-profile but hugely wealthy production company behind MasterChef, and the BBC?

Also, following Australia's ban on social media for the under 16s, how big tech is using ‘cynicism PR’ in an attempt to stop a worldwide trend.

And, is Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey a PR genius or is he damaging his political image? David and Simon debate the merits of the politician’s social media presence as he releases his debut Christmas single.

Producer: Eve Streeter

Jaguar’s rebrand video has sent the internet into meltdown, and the insults are piling up. The car manufacturer’s wildly uncharacteristic advert has even tempted Elon Musk into the conversation. David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the PR strategy Jaguar might be employing and whether they’ll come out of this unscathed.

Also, how the late Lord John Prescott managed to navigate a lifetime of fan-hitters to go down in political history as a legend.

And, how and why has the lure of reality TV captured former Conservative politician Jacob Rees-Mogg?

Producer: Eve Streeter

Is it time for the business world to enter the great public debates of our time - and is it bad PR if you don’t? Its absence has left a vacuum for misinformation to spread and CEOs like Greg Jackson from Octopus Energy are stepping up.

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss this, as well as a fascinating crisis at ice-cream makers Ben & Jerrys and big pharma in the wake of Robert Kennedy Jr's nomination as the next US health secretary.

Also - what does the exodus from Elon Musk’s X to Bluesky mean for the way we all communicate, and how companies communicate with us?

And Coleen Rooney’s PR coup. What the I’m a Celebrity star can teach the communications great and good about how to get your message across.

Producer: Eve Streeter

In his first presidency, Donald Trump vowed to “drain the swamp of Washington DC” - PR agents and all. So, how can a second Trump presidency possibly look promising for PR? David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss how change can create opportunity.

In this episode they explore how Trump’s return to office might impact business both in the US and abroad, how powerful players go about influencing the new president and what does money (lots of it) have to do with it all?

Also, how condescending criticism isn’t a good look. David and Simon address the hostile review of hit series Rivals by the producer of Wolf Hall.

Producer: Eve Streeter

In this special episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis let When It Hits the Fan listeners set the agenda and answer questions sent in to the Fan postbag.

They discuss the truth - when to tell it, and when to hide it. If fly-on-the-wall television comes calling will it always result in good publicity for you? And how far does PR drive the news agenda?

Also, from Queen Camilla to Boy George, what are the best reputation comebacks? And, "as I was just saying to Bono...", does namedropping really oil the wheels of the PR industry?

If you have a PR question of your own to send the Fan team, go to WhatsApp and text the word “Fan” to 03700 100 444. Then start a new message with your question either as a text or a recorded voice note, or text your question by SMS to 84844. Full details are on the When It Hits The Fan BBC contact page.

Producer: Eve Streeter

David Yelland and Simon Lewis lift the lid on the rarely talked about world of establishment PR and the great battle for influence happening behind the scenes in modern Britain. It’s why Peter Mandelson, William Hague and 36 other hopefuls are all vying to be the next Chancellor of Oxford University.

Also, how the new CEO of Starbucks is trying to reverse a recent decline in sales with the help of some back-to-basics internal communications.

And the great cheese heist… how taking the financial hit for the theft of £300,000 worth of posh cheddar has given Neal’s Yard Dairy a PR boost.

Producer: Eve Streeter

In the wake of the death of the One Direction star Liam Payne, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the role of protection in PR. Advisers are often the first people to know about a problem, and the first to try to fix it. Could celebrity publicists learn something about duty of care from the world of corporate PR? David and Simon talk fame, addiction and the importance of creating private space.

Also, the FA has walked into an apparent PR own goal appointing a German head coach to manage the England men’s football team. Why is leaning into a short-term tabloid burial sometimes the smartest move?

And, following the release of the new Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice – how to manage your client’s PR when Hollywood comes knocking.

Producer: Eve Streeter