Did Swatch PR Backfire?

Did Swatch PR Backfire?

Author: BBC Radio 4 May 20, 2026 Duration: 26:26

Not every product launch comes complete with tear gas, police dogs and angry crowds.

But those were the scenes at various cities around the world as a new Swatch went on sale.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss whether the chaos that surrounded the launch was PR heaven or hell. Advisors are paid handsomely to try and create such buzz - but can too much hype be a bad thing?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a PR path that is not well trodden. Because Pippa Middleton owns it and she doesn't want you anywhere near. The sister of the Princess of Wales is finding out being rich and famous is no use when it comes to matters of planning. It's all very public and trying to win over the locals is no easy matter.

Also, tall tales. The mysterious case involving President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China. They are, apparently, wildly different heights. But when seen side by side, they seemed to be exactly the same height. Are dark PR arts at play when trying to make the boss look dominant?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4


Tune in to When It Hits the Fan for a masterclass in reputation management, hosted by two insiders who have lived through the pressure of the headlines. David Yelland, former editor of The Sun, and communications expert Simon Lewis, bring their unparalleled experience to this BBC Radio 4 podcast. Each week, they dissect the most spectacular public relations meltdowns making news, offering a rare glimpse into the frantic world of crisis managers and spin doctors. You’ll hear them trace the origins of a scandal, pinpointing the exact moment strategies began to unravel and public perception shifted. This isn't just commentary; it's a forensic breakdown of how modern media storms are weathered or worsened by those in charge. The analysis is grounded in real-world stakes, exploring the political and personal consequences of every misstep and recovery attempt. For anyone fascinated by the intersection of media, power, and human error, this podcast provides an essential and gripping narrative. Listening feels like being in the room for a candid, post-mortem between two veterans who understand the game better than most. Their conversations reveal the mechanics behind the news cycle, making sense of how stories explode and what happens when control is lost.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

When It Hits the Fan
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