Fuse - The PR, Marketing and Communications Podcast

Beyond Media Relations: Sarah Waddington on Data, Risk and Storytelling

In this episode of the PRCA Fuse Podcast, our host Adrian Ma sits down with Sarah Waddington, CEO of the PRCA, to unpack that BBC Radio 4 Today Programme interview where Sir Martin Sorrell declared the end of PR, and to explore what this moment really means for the future of our industry as we transition into 2026.Sarah takes us behind the scenes of the interview and the reaction that followed, and makes a powerful case for PR’s future as strategic advisory, not “just media relations”.In this episode:We discuss:What actually happened in the Radio 4 debate with Sir Martin SorrellWhy the “PR is dead” headline misrepresents what modern PR doesStorytelling in PR vs advertising: listening, authenticity and behaviour changeWhy “flood the internet with content” is the wrong answerPR’s move into futures, foresight, data, insight and riskThe role of PR in a fragmented, politicised media landscapeWhy PR needs a single, confident narrative about its valueHow practitioners can upskill into management and strategic advisory

Hold Front Page: GEO and Generative AI Are Rewriting PR Rules

In this episode, we discussed the impact of generative AI on the PR industry, featuring Katie Earlam from 72 Point and Stuart Bruce from Purposeful Relations on their latest report findings. They highlighted that 44% of people trust AI more than the government, and 55% trust traditional media. Earned media remains the most influential input for AI, with 95% of citations coming from unpaid editorial sources. The conversation emphasised the importance of original content, relevance, and recency in PR strategies. Practical steps include frequently publishing news via earned media, auditing AI footprints, and ensuring factual information. The discussion underscored the need for PR professionals to proactively influence AI-generated content to maintain trust and accuracy.View reports:72Point and Purposeful Relations: Hold the Front Page: Traditional Media’s Influence in the Age of AIPurposeful Relations: The Impact of Generative Relations and CommunicationsOnePoll: Trust, Truth and the Algorithm

Ransomware, Reputation & Chaos: Inside the First 24 Hours of a Cyber Attack

This PRCA Fuse Podcast episode dives into what really happens when organisations are hit by a major cyber attack, from the first shocking ransomware message to the long tail of operational and reputational damage. Host Adrian Ma speaks with cyber crisis experts Joanne Gill and Jason Nisse about why cyber incidents are long-form crises, why so many crisis plans fail once email and core systems go down, and what offline readiness really looks like in practice. Drawing on real-world examples including M&S, Jaguar Land Rover, Harrods, Co-op and Asahi Breweries, they explore the risks of communication voids, the limits of cyber insurance, the importance of choosing the right spokesperson, and how realistic tabletop exercises can expose dangerous blind spots before an attack hits.

Net Zero Navigators: Transparency in Sustainability

In this episode, we discussed navigating missed Net Zero targets and pivoting sustainability goals with Kenza Esalama from Purpose Union. Kenza highlighted the shift from ambitious 2019 Net Zero commitments to the reality of 2025, where companies need to reassess their targets due to resource constraints and global upheavals. She cited Unilever's example, which initially aimed to halve virgin plastic use by 2023 but now targets a 33% reduction by 2024. Kenza emphasised the importance of radical transparency, internal alignment, and maintaining long-term commitments to build trust and avoid "green hushing." She also noted the role of Gen Z and millennials in driving purposeful work.

Wikipedia's Crucial Role in the Digital Age: From Volunteers to Algorithms

In this episode, we sit down with William Beutler is a veteran Wikipedia editor and the founder ofBeutler Ink, a digital agency specialising in Wikipedia strategy and AI-era reputation management for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 50 companies.Join us as we explore the challenges faced by Wikipedia editors, the complexrelationship between PR firms and online knowledge platforms, and the criticalrole Wikipedia plays in training large language models. From the risks faced byvolunteer editors in authoritarian regimes to the future of information in theAI era, this conversation unpacks the hidden mechanics of one of the internet'smost important resources. Discover the delicate balance between transparency,accuracy, and the evolving digital landscape of global knowledge.___________________________________________________________ Connect:LinkedIn: William BeutlerWebsite: www.beutlerink.comFollow Adrian Ma:LinkedIn: Adrian Ma- Fanclub PR | Fanclub PRWebsite: Fanclub PR_______________________________________________________Like and subscribeif you enjoyed this episode! Podcast Manager andProducer: Ikechukwu Mgbenwelu ike.mgbenwelu@prca.globalLinkedIn: IkechukwuMgbenwelu Disclaimer: Viewsexpressed by the guest are their own and not necessarily endorsed by the Fusepodcast.