Inside the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as David Yelland and Simon Lewis watch the week's biggest PR disasters unfold. In each episode our hosts go behind the scenes of the latest news stories and find out how, where and when it all began to hit the fan.
When It Hits The Fan is hosted by two of the most influential and experienced people in the game; David Yelland is the former editor of the Sun and alongside him is Simon Lewis, former trouble-shooter for the Queen and Gordon Brown, as well as for major corporations like the Nat West, Vodafone and British Gas. Together they bring decades of experience in both creating and managing crises. They'll share all they know about what's keeping those big stories in and out of the news.
Inside the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as David Yelland and Simon Lewis watch the week's biggest PR disasters unfold. In each episode our hosts go behind the scenes of the latest news stories and find out how, where and when it all began to hit the fan.
When It Hits The Fan is hosted by two of the most influential and experienced people in the game; David Yelland is the former editor of the Sun and alongside him is Simon Lewis, former trouble-shooter for the Queen and Gordon Brown, as well as for major corporations like the Nat West, Vodafone and British Gas. Together they bring decades of experience in both creating and managing crises. They'll share all they know about what's keeping those big stories in and out of the news.
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 repeatedly claimed Mrs Macron is a man.
This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the 'fight for truth'. Famous people and businesses used to be able to ignore or not comment on stories that were clearly untrue. But in the disinformation age, lies gain traction - and stick - faster than ever. So what are the PR challenges and risks of taking a stand when people have already made up their minds?
And on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, David and Simon look at arguably the toughest PR job in the country - the Archbishop of Canterbury. An announcement on who'll take up the position is expected in the next few weeks - and they face a huge challenge. They'll have a guaranteed platform, but what's the message? At a time when church leaders have written an open letter criticising the 'misuse' of Christian symbols during a march organised by the Far Right, is being controversial unavoidable?
Also, who's up and who's down? Yes, it's league table PR. As Oxford and Cambridge slip down the list of best universities, what dark arts are at play in similar lists? Can they be manipulated - and what are the real reputational risks of falling down the rankings?
Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4
