In the world of communications, it pays to be current. Whether you are working in-house or at an agency, being the first to say "But have you read that piece in the FT today?" makes you appear as though you have a finger on the media pulse.

This week on the Little Questions Podcast, we attempt to sound like we're at the cutting edge of public discourse.

Today we're going to chew the topical cud on:

• Why have a Budget Statement when everything in it has already been publicised in the press?
• Getting cut through on a story – some contrasting examples from Tesco and Drax. The slugging match that is Huffy Henry Staunton vs Bruiser Badenoch.
• Mary Poppins and the use of inappropriate words.
• An amazing BP insider trading story.
• The nature of the worthless public apology.
• The legal firm Schillings going into PR 'big time'.
• And a sad story of Flaco the eagle-owl.

As ever, for you as a listener in the world of comms and beyond, we'll extract the lessons learnt from all these stories and deliver them in this episode of The Little Questions.

Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected] and if you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review.

Matt Young is an Apella Advisors partner with 25 years of experience in corporate affairs. He was Corporate Affairs Director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA. Experienced in corporate communications; public affairs and policy; regulatory affairs and risk; industrial relations; crisis and complex issues management; reputation turnarounds; campaigns, competition; and ESG. Former Head of Public Affairs and Public Policy at TSB Bank. Previously a Partner at a global communications agency and has worked in the media and politics.

Andrew Brown is an Apella Advisors partner, a former Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Ageas Insurance. He has more than ten years' experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors, developing considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.