The PRovoke Media Podcast

Rethinking The 21st Century PR Network

In this discussion Havas Red CEO James Wright joins PRovoke Media editor-in-chief to discuss how he is rethinking the 21st century network agency model to better adapt and respond to client and talent trends. Wright discusses his work in terms of consolidating Havas Red's disparate agency entities into a cohesive whole, his approach to acquisition, talent and much more, in a wide-ranging conversation that reveals how the PR agency model is ripe for disruption.

ADHD & Agency Leadership

Paul Nolan, COO and co-owner of B2B technology specialist agency CCGroup, talks about neurodiversity in the PR industry and his own late ADHD diagnosis.

 

In this episode of the PRovoke Media podcast, we look at neurodiversity in the PR industry in a conversation between Maja Pawinska Sims and Paul Nolan, COO and co-owner of B2B technology specialist agency CCGroup, who was recently diagnosed with ADHD after a 20-year career in PR. Nolan talks about his diagnosis, the impact on his personal and professional life, his experience of being a neurodiverse leader in PR, and how the industry can better support and embrace neurodiversity.

 

Resources:

Neurodiversity in PR: From Kryptonite to Superpower

PRCA/CIPR Wellness Audit

Independent PR Leaders On Strategic Investment In Tech, Talent and More

In the latest podcast from our partners at PROI, we connected with PR agency founders from around the world who are embracing new technologies from artificial intelligence to virtual reality ,in which we discussed management and economic challenges.

Does The ESG Backlash Require A Responsibility Reset?

Paul Holmes is joined by Alison Dasilva and Penny Kozakos from Zeno Group to discuss what stakeholders expect from corporations when it comes to controversial issues—and how new research can help companies address those expectations smartly in an era of increasing political polarization.

Influence 100 Podcast: A Proactive Response To Polarization

Description

Immerse yourself into an engaging and enlightening discussion about the stakeholder economy, sustainability, and dealing with changing corporate landscapes with the special guest, Lisa Gibby of Nestlé. This episode of Provoke Podcast, produced in conjunction with FGS, sheds light on the role of corporate affairs professionals amidst geopolitical upheaval, rising emphasis on ESG values, and the concept of shared value creation that Nestlé championed.

Gain deep introspection into Nestlé’s approach towards maintaining corporate reputation while handling stakeholder criticism and balancing long-term business vision. Also get unique insights in how shared values and purpose influence corporate culture, impacting business purpose and social responsibility.

The discussion lifts the veil on critical changes in the governance sector and highlights the importance of engaging thoughtfully with stakeholders in an increasingly consumer-centric world. Hear about Nestlé's consumer relationship strategy, importance of purpose-led initiatives, and the paradigm shift in public relations sector in this episode.

The show concludes by discussing the intricate role of authenticity and effective communication in fostering corporate relationships and maintaining a positive corporate reputation. From Nestle's journey of becoming a warmer, authentic organization, to adapting strategies around carbon-neutrality, this episode provides a comprehensive outlook on future challenges in sustainability, human rights, health, and harnessing AI for issue resolution and problem-solving.

Team Farner & The New Strategic Communications Landscape

In this edition of the PRovoke Media podcast, two senior leaders from one of Europe’s fastest-growing agency groups join Maja Pawinska Sims to talk about the evolving landscape for strategic communications in complex times. Team Farner executive chairman Roman Geiser and Lansons CEO Gordon Tempest-Hay discuss the rapid growth of the consultancy across Europe, its acquisition of Lansons last year, and their ambitions and plans for the future. The duo also look at how creative work and AI are impacting on the remit and impact of reputation management firms, and how clients’ needs from their comms advisors are changing, including during a pivotal election year.

KPMG's Jane Lawrie on AI and ESG

KPMG corporate affairs chief Jane Lawrie joins the PRovoke Media podcast to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence  and ESG, across such areas as performance evaluation, identifying future trends, and defining the roadmap for ESG reporting.

In conversation with PRovoke Media editor-in-chief Arun Sudhaman, Lawrie also discusses the future of AI as it relates to corporate affairs professionals, in terms of potential opportunities and threats, along with the reputation risks entailed for business.

The role of ESG in the context of ongoing political debates is also examined, alongside the emergence of 'green hushing' and its impact on transparent sustainability reporting. 

 

The power of communications in accelerating sustainability adoption

While some Asia-Pacific countries, such as Japan, have witnessed a strong rise in ESG coverage, investing, and consumer adoption of sustainable products, others have progressed at a slower pace. In partnership with Weber Shandwick, Asia-Pacific corporate affairs head Carolyn Devanayagam joins the PRovoke Media podcast to examine the latest trends in this area, and how corporate communicators can drive progress amid the twin threats of greenwashing and green-hushing.  

Truth, Trust & Trickery

Finn Partners’ Gil Bashe joins the PRovoke Media podcast to discuss the perilous spread of false information — and communicators duty to curb it.

The Burson mega-merger: is bigger better?

In this episode of the PRovoke Media podcast, editors Arun Sudhaman and Maja Pawinska Sims have a lively discussion about the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton to create the world's biggest PR firm, Burson. The conversation covers bringing the legacy name back to the industry, the talent implications of the merger, whether we'll see more consolidation across other networks, and the potential impact of AI on business decisions within big agencies. The duo also catch up on the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, and the apparent retreat of corporate activism in the wake of geopolitical and social tensions.