The PRovoke Media Podcast

Redhill’s Jacob Puthenparambil on globalisation

Redhill founder Jacob Puthenparambil joins the PRovoke Media podcast to discuss the changing nature of globalisation in the PR industry. In conversation with Arun Sudhaman from PRovoke Media, Puthenparambil explores how Asian companies can shift the conventional narrative in terms of multinational expansion, and why so few agencies from Asia have built global networks. 

FWV Through A Looking-Glass: 25 Years of Pushing Boundaries

In this episode of the PRovoke Podcast, Paul Holmes talks with Rick French, founder and CEO at French/West/Vaughan a PR agency that was one of the first to start acquiring other small boutique Ad and PR agencies. 

Rick goes into detail about acquiring the Ad agency West and Vaughan to help grow his business and along with it, the range of options he could offer current and new clients. 

The two also discuss navigating the culture clash of merging companies, acquiring a firm with its own way of working. They also speak on working through those cultural differences, and becoming stronger, and more unified through them. On that subject, Rick stresses the importance of having a similar philosophical identity with the principles at the firm to be acquired. 

French/West/Vaughan produced the iconic and longstanding Wrangler Network for the jean brand and Rick discusses how that came to fruition and how an ad campaign became a profit generator for Wrangler. 

Lastly, Rick talks about how his work producing content for clients has led him to work in TV and Film production.

The Future of Corporate Communications: Business Transformation

In this episode of the PRovoke Podcast, Paul Holmes has a conversation with Jim O’Leary, COO at Edelman, about the roles of both CEO and CCO, and how they have evolved in the last five to ten years as compared to the last two years.

Both Paul and Jim agree that the role of a CEO is incomparable to past generations of CEOs.  Previously, CEOs were figureheads who handled the business systems, financial elements and board relations. Now, CEOs spend increased time relaying the role of an organization in social issues, as  well as its role in society more than ever before.

Now that this has shifted the focus for CEOs, it also has changed the roles of CCOs within an organization. Advocacy is a much bigger part of the corporate communications roles than it ever has been.

Similarly to social issues, the “Great Resignation” has put pressure on organizations to be clear and transparent with their staff about where the company stands on social issues—topics that need to be handled well, lest the risk of alienating employees.

Lastly, the two discuss the human element in public relations. We have never before been able to know so much about public sentiment towards a company internally and externally, and being clear with your company’s values as to how they relate to your consumers, staff and shareholders is the most important factor in connecting with people today. 

Gusto Collective’s Aaron Lau on building an Asian holding group

Gusto Collective founder Aaron Lau joins the PRovoke Media podcast to discuss his efforts to build an Asian holding group, with specific strengths in brand tech, luxury PR and immersive storytelling. Lau, who previously held senior roles at Cheil and DDB, explores the opportunities and challenges that exist for a homegrown player in an industry that has historically been dominated multinational conglomerates. 

The Unexpected Power of Influence in Healthcare

Influence In Healthcare: MMC’s Olga Fleming and Maddie Simko On Sharing Healthcare Information Via Social.

The rise, the predicted fall, and the ultimate staying power of influencers has been jarring and rejuvenating for the PR industry. And, as we learned during the Covid pandemic, influencers play a key role in healthcare communications, which has changed dramatically over the last two years.

With that in mind, we partnered with Marina Maher Communications on a new video series on the role influencers play in healthcare. In each episode, members of MMC’s team of specialists will explore the topic from different angles.

In this premiere episode, we speak with Olga Fleming, MMC’s president of healthcare and corporate, and strategist Maddie Simko, who led research looking at the place and power of healthcare influencers.

Wooing Talent With Options And Opportunities

In this episode of the PRovoke Media podcast, Hotwire global CEO Heather Kernahan and Michael Kaye, LinkedIn’s product communications manager, discuss impactful steps comms industry leaders can take to widen applicant pools and keeping existing talent interested and engaged. Among the most important: debunking myths that keep people out of the business by showcasing the range of options and opportunities it offers.

 

Creative branding in China

PRovoke Media has partnered with The Orange Blowfish to discuss the changes in how retail brands connect with consumers in China and how global brands can capitalise on these trends. In this discussion, Asics Greater China MD Hilda Chan discusses her approach and learnings with The Orangeblowfish founder and creative director Siu Tang and PRovoke Media editor-in-chief Arun Sudhaman. 

The public relations fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

PRovoke Media follows up its in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine by discussing the public relations and reputation issues raised by the horrific events unfolding in Eastern Europe. In conversation with Arun Sudhaman, Paul Holmes and Maja Pawinska Sims explore the fallout for brands, agencies and the PR industry in general, along with the implications in terms of Russia's long-running disinformation campaign. 

Luminaries: Barri Rafferty, Maureen Lippe On What New Leadership Looks Like

This is the Luminaries Mentoring Series, a video series that PRovoke Media launched in partnership with Lippe Taylor. This episode features Barri Rafferty, head of communications & brand management at Wells Fargo, and Maureen Lippe, founder & chair, of Lippe Taylor.

The candid conversation covers the challenges leaders face in a post-pandemic world that ostensibly includes people returning to the office. Keeping employees engaged, maintaining a strong culture and making employees’ commutes worthwhile are among the topics explored.

Healthy Bites: Meeting The Demand For Healthcare Comms With Emily Poe

The global pandemic — that we’re very much still immersed in — has put healthcare center stage. At this moment, we’re seeing the complex interplay between health tech, providers, pharma, policy makers and other stakeholders on a global scale. It's both breathtaking and often bewildering. And even before 2020, healthcare was quickly becoming one of the most compelling areas for public relations.

With that in mind, we partnered with Real Chemistry — formerly W2O — on a new series, Healthy Bites. In each episode, we will have a quick chat with a healthcare expert to provide a digestible "what you should know" to help the industry stay ahead of the rapidly changing healthcare public relations and communications landscape. And because healthcare touches every aspect of our lives these days, we hope these 10-minute conversations will be useful no matter what your day-to-day role is.

In this episode, PRovoke Media senior reporter Diana Marszalek talks to Emily Poe, Real Chemistry’s group president of integrated communications.