When It Hits the Fan

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the coming PR tornado that is the apparent plan to sell the government's 38.6% of NatWest back to the public in a retail share sale. The communications challenge here is a big one - all while Nigel Farage is biting at the bank's heels.

They also lift the bonnet on PR strategies for incoming CEOs – NatWest has one – and how an invitation to Wimbledon or the opera can be as important as your balance sheet when learning to navigate the elite highest reaches of the executive world.

Producer: Eve Streeter

Quick Wins is a series of short guides from the When It Hits the Fan team that’ll help you manage your own personal PR so you can navigate the world of work like a pro.

In this episode David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their tips on how to deal with imposter syndrome. It’s that feeling when you are performing well in your job but you still doubt your abilities and feel like a fraud. According to a recent study, around 70% of people will experience this at least once in their lives. So you’re not alone if you have it. How best to overcome feeling like a phoney?

Producer: Sophie Smith

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss how it has hit the fan for two global, glamorous names this week – the first is F1 Red Bull boss Christian Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, who finds himself in the news for all the wrong reasons, and the second is the glitzy private members' club Soho House, under attack from the wolves of Wall Street.

They also look at the culture wars pushback led by the communications director at the National Trust, and why bravery is so important in public relations.

Producer: Eve Streeter

Quick Wins is a series from the When It Hits the Fan team that helps you navigate your own personal PR in just a few minutes. After all, if the rich and powerful have a personal PR guru to help them get to the top, why not you?

In this episode – in our increasingly digital world, a couple of clicks can make or break a person’s reputation. The internet can be a great tool for building up your public image, but it can be a tricky business. David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their top tips on how to manage it.

Producer: Sophie Smith

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss how the Palace is managing news of the King’s cancer diagnosis. How will the royal communications team be controlling the release of information in the coming weeks?

Also, in the wake of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s apology to parents of children who have suffered on social media, David and Simon look at why real change is so hard in Silicon Valley when it comes to child safety, and the PR fallout. Is there a strategic communications plan that can stop tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg’s reputation from crumbling? Perhaps the PR industry can learn a thing or two from climate activist Greta Thunberg?

David Yelland and Simon Lewis enter into the secret world of secrets and discuss how it is still possible to keep big news under wraps – how Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp kept his departure from Anfield out of the press with the help of his "inner doughnut".

As the UK government moves to ban disposable e-cigarettes, David and Simon look at how PR has helped the vaping market capture Britain.

And following the controversy surrounding Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie failing to win Oscar nominations for best director and best actress respectively, how do you deal with bad news in the public glare?

Producer: Eve Streeter

Quick Wins is a series of short episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to help you navigate your own personal PR.

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their advice on how to work with a tricky boss. Managing this relationship is a key part of getting on in your working life. So understand their goals, make them look good, and if that doesn't turn them into a pussy cat, have the confidence to call out really bad behaviour.

Producer: Sophie Smith

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the fan-hitting hornet’s nest that is executive pay. After Centrica CEO Chris O’Shea said he couldn’t justify his £4.5 million pay packet, they ask - is the BBC Breakfast sofa a wise PR move for a chief executive?

Footballer Jordan Henderson - why his communications strategy is a little... offside.

And, the power of high-profile people being open about their medical conditions – how a prostate diagnosis can be used for the public good.

Producer: Eve Streeter

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the aggressive PR strategy that was part of the Post Office scandal. When does defending your brand become toxic PR?

They also look at Boeing’s reputational crisis following the Alaska Airlines blowout and why trust is central to public relations.

And the King’s new biography – the Palace is being more open, which is a good PR move, but are there risks attached?

Producer: Eve Streeter

Quick Wins is a series of short and snappy episodes with lots of useful advice aimed at improving your working life.

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their tips on how to negotiate your salary. If you want a pay rise choose your timing carefully, make it about the company, and don't say you deserve it!

Producer: Sophie Smith