The PRovoke Media Podcast

Meerkat/Periscope, Russia/Ketchum, Huntsworth, SABRE Awards

The latest Echo Chamber episode sees Vikki Chowney drop by to discuss the relative merits of Meerkat and Periscope, and their prospects for success. Then Paul Holmes visits to analyse the Russia/Ketchum fallout and Huntsworth's results. Paul also spends a lot of time complaining about the way SABRE Awards entries are formatted, and offers his tips for success.

The Starbucks #RaceTogether campaign backlash

Starbucks recent #RaceTogether initiative sparked a considerable backlash when it launched. Yet, when Starbucks communications chief Corey DuBrowa revealed the initiative at our San Francisco Innovation Summit in February, it struck a much more positive note. Holmes Report editors Aarti Shah and Arun Sudhaman discuss the fallout and PR lessons. 

SXSW parties, tech trends and PR robots

Vikki Chowney joins the Echo Chamber podcast to discuss her first SXSW experience, the technology trends that are changing marketing, and whether robots are going to take over the PR profession. Also in the "spotlight" — Oreo's newsjacking of the solar eclipse, and Jaffa Cakes missing out.

Can a brand be your best friend?

The latest episode of the Echo Chamber podcast looks at how changing family dynamics are forcing brands to rethink their traditional marketing strategies. Zeno MD of global strategy and insights Therese Caruso joins the show to discuss the group's 'Human Project', a research study that explores how brands can become more like people's "best friends".

The new rules of crisis PR

Holmes Report editors Arun Sudhaman and Paul Holmes break down the new rules of crisis PR following their annual Crisis Review.

Russia's PR Market Under Pressure

The Echo Chamber looks at how Russia's public relations market is coping with the current economic situation. PBN H+K Strategies CEO Myron Wasylyk explains that PR firms have to stay the course in the country, even in bad times.

Meanhwile, FleishmanHillard Vanguard general director Elena Fadeeva, joins the show to discuss new initative to improve ethical standards among the country's PR firms and in-house communications departments.

Superbowl marketing trends, US media cynicism and Obama's new digital strategy

The Echo Chamber podcast series, now in its third year, returns for 2015 with a new show that features Cohn & Wolfe's Jim Joseph breaking down key marketing lessons from the recent Superbowl.

While Joseph notes that Superbowl advertising in isolation is typically ineffective, well-rounded digital strategies are helping marketers use the sporting event to their advantage. He also points to the rise of dads as a key marketing trend to watch in 2015.

Meanwhile, CCgroup MD Richard Fogg joins the show to explain why his UK PR firm is attempting to help international marketers understand the US media.

And last, but not least, M Booth digital head Amber Roussel talks to me about her experience supporting digital engagement for President Obama's State of the Union speech. The White House, she notes, is keen to broaden social media outreach as it attempts to connect with a younger audience.

The Echo Chamber podcast is produced by Markettiers4DC.

What does the 'PR agency of the future' look like?

Weber Shandwick EMEA digital consumer head Danny Whatmough joins the Echo Chamber to discuss the PRCA's 'agency of the future' research, which has uncovered a number of key characteristics for firms hoping to thrive in the new media landscape.

David Wolf on China PR ethics, Starbucks' Corey DuBrowa

Allison+Partners China MD David Wolf, a veteran observer of the country's PR industry, joins the Echo Chamber to discuss the continued ethical issues that bedevil international PR firms operating in China. For Wolf, a zero tolerance approach is the only option, but he believes that too many international PR agency CEOs in New York turn a blind eye to ethical transgressions and worse. Meanwhile, Starbucks SVP of global communications and international public affairs Corey DuBrowa talks to Aarti Shah about the company's plans to provide free college education to thousands of workers.

Ketchum/Russia; ISIS; Edelman and climate change; Lord Chadlington's retirement

Echo Chamber hosts Arun Sudhaman and Robert Phillips return to discuss Ketchum's troubled relationship with Russia, the communications challenges around the rise of ISIS, and the problems PR firms faced regarding a recent survey of their positions on climate change. Also under the spotlight is Lord Chadlington's retirement after a storied PR career.