When It Hits the Fan

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.

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Episodes

Britney’s memoir, BT's rebrand and Meryl Streep

Following the release of Britney Spears’ autobiography David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the wisdom of the tell-all memoir. How does it measure up as a PR strategy? Also, BT’s “blink and you may have missed it” rebranding to EE – will a customer backlash make the company regret downgrading this great British brand? And finally, as Meryl Streep announces the end of her marriage… six years ago, they look at how timing is everything when it comes to making big announcements and how to make hot ...

Oct 24, 2023•28 min

Captain Tom's family, Barclays and the Grand National

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the decision of Captain Tom’s family to enter the lion’s den in a TV interview with Piers Morgan in a bid to clear their name. Also, they chat about the public relations problems at Barclays Bank, and a leaf straight out of the PR playbook from the Jockey Club. A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

Oct 17, 2023•28 min

Tobacco, Beckham Inc and an Eton mess

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss “PR-ing the impossible” - the dirty business of representing the tobacco industry. Also, controlling the narrative – what the new Beckham Netflix documentary tells us about David and Victoria’s three decades of fame and how they’ve managed it. And they’ll be looking at an Eton Mess - and we don’t mean the pudding. What do you do when you're the new Eton provost and an interview from 1988 comes back to haunt you? Producer: Eve Streeter Editor...

Oct 10, 2023•28 min

The Taylor Swift effect, GB News and following Feargal

In this episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the soft power of one of the most influential people in the United States right now. It’s not a man, it’s not even a very old man. It’s a 33-year-old woman who seems to have Fox News, Donald Trump and the Republican Party running scared - Taylor Swift. With half a billion social media followers and a growing political influence among her fans, we look at how she might derail Donald Trump’s ambitions to return to the White House. Turning to G...

Oct 03, 2023•28 min

Murdoch, HS2 and British Gas

In the wake of Rupert Murdoch's retirement, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss a tale of two successions and how the fates of one of the world’s biggest media dynasties and the Royal Family became paradoxically intertwined. They look at the latest fan-hitting moment for Britain’s HS2 project, which could mean the end of the line for northerners. And “your old meter could catch fire” – why British Gas might be regretting its latest email to customers. Producer: Eve Streeter Editor: Sarah Teasd...

Sep 26, 2023•28 min

Russell Brand, BP and Britain's 'golden triangle'

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss why parts of an ecosystem of powerful men right at the top of social media are supporting Russell Brand in the wake of the allegations of sexual assault against him. They assess the departure of BP’s chief executive Bernard Looney and the implications for one of the UK's most iconic companies. And Simon draws on his experience at Buckingham Palace and Number 10 to shed light on Britain's 'golden triangle' and the relationship between the top of the civil ser...

Sep 19, 2023•28 min

Elon Musk, 'sorry not sorry' and being booed

David Yelland and Simon Lewis lift the bonnet on the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as they 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. In this episode, David and Simon discuss Elon Musk and how to manage the PR of the world’s most powerful people. What was the most unexpected “sorry not sorry” interview of the week - Liz Truss or Luis Rubiales? And...

Sep 12, 2023•28 min

Crumbling concrete, Harry returns and the Spanish FA

David Yelland and Simon Lewis lift the bonnet on the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as they watch the week’s biggest PR disasters unfold. In each episode, David and Simon 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, who was head of communications...

Sep 05, 2023•28 min

Introducing When It Hits the Fan

Step inside the world of crisis managers and spin doctors, as David Yelland and Simon Lewis watch the week’s biggest PR disasters unfold.

Sep 01, 2023•2 min

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