PR True Or False

Latest CIPR research shows an industry striving to be seen as a profession without entirely embracing professional standards. Following a PR Week article on the topic, Austin Brailey and Phil Szomszor discuss whether PR can be compared to other professions - like accountancy and law - and whether that's even desirable in the first place. Before listening, check out the PR Week piece - http://www.prweek.com/article/1282506/pr-professional-crossroads

Last week VentureBeat ran a piece about the launch of a new service for startups that means they don’t need to hire a PR agency anymore. Meanwhile Dragon Den’s Deborah Meaden said that if you spend less than £3,000 a month on PR, you might as well not spend any money at all. On this week’s PR True Or False Phil Szomszor and Austin Brailey discuss the value of PR to startups, whether growth hacking could take off and if there’s an ethical consideration for PR agency’s taking startup founders’ personal money.

On this week's show Phil and Austin discuss the power and value of a retweet. Whether it's Ed Balls tweeting his name or people tweeting witty comments about TV programmes they are watching, the retweet extends a tweet's reach considerably. The presenters also discuss Klout, Peer Index and Kred and reveal useful tips to boosting your twitter influence score.

In the week that Facebook issued its financial results, which saw mobile advertising revenues at an all time high, Facebook's media coverage has been extremely positive. But it hasn't all been plain-sailing - a recent study claimed that Facebook would do a myspace and was about to lose 80% of its users. So, what's the truth: are Facebook's days numbered, or will it go from strength to strength?

Remember the story about how much Michael Phelps ate to train for the Olympics? Sound familiar? That's because it's a story that has been written before about other sportsmen. In this week's podcast, Phil and Austin discuss whether there's such a thing as new news. Phil argues that whether it's the calories that sportsmen consume, Lego sculptures or extreme ironing, we've seen it all before. Austin's not so sure. But what will the verdict be: true or false?

It's a Christmas PR True Or False podcast special, where Phil and Austin discuss whether normal client/agency etiquette applies over the Christmas period. At a time of the year where the drink tends to flow, do things get out of hand? And does it matter? The last public relations podcast of the year. More coming in 2014!

Is Google+ a ghost town? Is it time for Google to give up? On today's PR True Or False podcast, Austin Brailey and Phil Szomszor discuss the merits of Google+, particularly from a public relations perspective. The episode also features the Google+ protest song, written and performed by Emma Blackery.

Are PR agency job titles meaningless? Two public relations consultants (or "dream weaver" and "strategy ninja" if you believe their business cards) discuss on this week's PR True Or False podcast. To join the conversation, follow us on Twitter at @PRTrueOrFalse

Is email broken as a PR communications tool? Two public relations industry insiders share their views on this week's PR True Or False podcast.

Should PR agencies be allowed to sign of their own copy without client approval? Two industry insiders share their views.