PR's Rich Tapestry

PR's Rich Tapestry

Author: BBC Radio 4 July 15, 2026 Duration: 26:38

If PR is all about weaving great stories, then the Bayeux Tapestry might just be the perfect example.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel celebrate the comms coup that was 1000 years in the making. The tapestry's arrival back in the UK was covered and celebrated in minute detail - with hype being generated from the most mundane details. The British Museum seems to have pulled off a public relations masterclass. But it comes as the museum is still battling to recover its reputation after a series of fan hitters.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, the resignation bombshell that's gone global. A Chinese project manager at Alibaba has quit - and she didn't just hand in a brief note explaining she'd serve her notice period. She wrote a 100 page tome that tore into her entire industry. Farzana and David discuss the reputational risks to both employer and employee.

Also, the noble art of dressing up and poking fun at someone. Count Binface has garnered coverage across the world as he prepares to stand in the Clacton by-election. He's just the latest in a long line of people who've used the absurd as a very effective - not to mention cheap - way of landing their point. And the tricky thing is, it's often very hard to counter.

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: 50

When It Hits the Fan
Podcast Episodes
Prince Harry and the Men in Grey Suits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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It was all going so well. Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like a genuine reconciliation was on the cards between Prince Harry and his father, the King. But in the past few days, there's been a blizzard of headlines…
Why the Macrons are willing to bare all [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:38
We are living in troubling times when Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, feel they have to go to court to prove she is a woman. The couple's lawyer says 'a line has been crossed' by an online influencer who has repe…
Prince Harry's PR Comeback [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:20
It was only a few months ago that Prince Harry was being roundly criticised pretty much everywhere. An ill-judged and hot-headed BBC interview where he discussed the King's health did him few favours. And yet, this week,…
Alas WH Smith and Jones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:36
Rebrands, name changes, financial black holes. Just what is going on with WH Smith?This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the reputation of a high street institution. With stores up and down the country now bei…
7. Be Honest With Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:02
'PRs hold up the mirror and sometimes people don't like what they see.'So say David Yelland and Simon Lewis in their final episode on golden rules.This week, it's all about self-awareness and the ability to ask, 'Are we…
6. Never Over Promise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:08
If you say you're going to hit a target, make sure you hit it.Managing expectations is one of the most important golden rules of PR, according to David Yelland and Simon Lewis.In this episode, they look at the pitfalls o…
5. Know How To Go Off the Record [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:42
Non attributable, authorised leaks, Chatham House rules. Briefing the media can be a baffling minefield.In this episode on golden rules, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the art of going on and off the record.They e…
4. Prepare For A Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:50
'Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.'An excellent nugget of wisdom from boxing legend Mike Tyson. But you don't need to be heavyweight champion to understand where he's coming from.In this episode o…
3. The Media is Not Your Friend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:02
It's not quite two tribes going to war but it can feel like that.In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the complicated relationship between PR and the media. You know what story you want to tell but a jo…