Podcast appearances and mentions of Ben Smith

This episode of the PRmoment News Review frames Andy Burnham not just as a skilled communicator, but as a potential reset figure in UK political communications, operating in a structurally hostile environment.Ben Smith positions the discussion around a pivotal political moment – Burnham's ascent to national leadership – and asks whether he is “more than a better communicator than Keir Starmer.” Angie Moxham's core argument is that Burnham's strength is not superficial performance but value‑driven communication: his clarity and fluency are rooted in conviction and a sense that Labour has drifted from its founding values. This gives his messaging an authenticity that is hard to manufacture and may underpin a more energetic, “forward‑moving” government narrative.However, Mark Borkowski stresses the expectation‑management gap. Burnham's team, he argues, has not matched high emotional appeal with clear, visible policy detail—especially on social care, in a way that echoes Starmer's own family stories. Mark characterises the UK as operating on an “economy of hope”, drawing a parallel with the England football team: audiences project outsized hopes onto symbolic figures, while structural problems (seven prime ministers in ten years, deep‑rooted social and fiscal constraints) remain.The panel converges on a key comms challenge: Burnham must sell hard trade‑offs—notably higher taxes to fund social care and other public services—in a fragmented, hyper‑critical media environment where “bad news sells” and social platforms amplify outrage. For PR professionals, this raises the question of whether a leader can sustain a truth‑telling, “hard ass” narrative about limits and sacrifice without being politically destroyed.Burnham's minimalist media strategy is a central theme. Angie notes that he limits access, grants few interviews (Gary Lineker being one!), and deploys allies like Steve Rotheram as surrogates—essentially a tight‑circle, low‑exposure model.Mark likens this to carrying a “Ming vase” during Starmer's campaign: minimal risk, minimal visibility. The open question is whether this approach can survive the “brutal” post‑honeymoon phase, when scrutiny intensifies and media (including right‑wing outlets) actively seek to puncture his legitimacy.Strategically, Burnham's focus on regional power and the North is both a policy and branding choice. Angie suggests he will prioritise domestic issues, the machinery of government, and devolution over grandstanding on the international stage, in contrast to Starmer's more statesmanlike positioning. This is likely to sharpen political polarisation—a clearer Labour identity versus a Conservative counter‑narrative led by Kemi Badenoch—even though Burnham will likely need to command the political centre to retain power.For PR and comms leaders, the episode underscores three imperatives:Expectation design as a core comms function, not an afterthought.Narrative discipline that ties personal storytelling to concrete policy.Building resilient strategies for fragmented media—where influence, not just coverage, must be actively architected.This week's PR News Review's top quotes:On Burnham vs Starmer – substance and style“He's painted as ‘just Keir Starmer with better comms' – and that's absolutely not the case. He's way more than a communicator, he's just bloody good at it.” Angie Moxham, [00:01:17]On the UK's ‘economy of hope'“We live in an economy of hope. He comes down from the North bearing communication gifts – but we've had seven prime ministers in ten years. That's a shocking statistic.”Mark Borkowski, [00:02:10]On the brutal post‑honeymoon reality“The real test comes after the summer honeymoon – when the brutality of the autumn hits and he has to sell more tax for everything we say we want.”Mark Borkowski, [00:02:10–00:04:00]On Burnham's toughness and intent“It's not going to be an easy job, of course it's not. But he's made of tough stuff, he's a hard worker, and I think he'll rip up rule books as quickly as he can.”Angie Moxham, [00:04:52–00:06:00]On minimalist media strategy“The interesting question is whether he's going to continue as a minimalist media communicator – because so far he's just not interested in walking into the bear pit of press conferences.”Angie Moxham, [00:07:20–00:08:00]On the new comms puzzle for politicians“Everybody is struggling to work out the new way of communicating to the electorate. The old world of the Sun and the Mail ‘winning elections' has gone – but nobody's really mastered the new one.”Mark Borkowski, [00:08:17–00:09:30]On Britain's status and hard truths“We are not a superpower; we're an ailing nation dealing with difficult social themes and great poverty. We need a hard‑ass prime minister who tells some hard‑ass truths.”Mark Borkowski, [00:12:25–00:13:30]On media sensationalism and public mindset“I'm fed up of clicking on headlines that promise one thing and deliver rubbish. That sensationalism warps how people think and feel about the world.”Angie Moxham, [00:10:48–00:12:10]On the UK's hidden strengths“We are a nation of talent. We're spawning amazing companies and, against many of our European neighbours, we've been performing far better than people think.”– Angie Moxham, [00:10:48–00:14:00]On what politics now needs“We've lived off far too much hope. The real mark of the man will be whether he can do what needs to be done – however uncomfortable it is for the electorate to suck it up.”Mark Borkowski, [00:12:25–00:14:00]

The episode of the PRmoment Podcast titled “PR Pitch Hacks” features host Ben Smith in conversation with agency Hannah Sharratt of Axe & Saw, exploring how PR pitching currently works and how it should evolve. Ben opens by noting that pitching, alongside timesheets and AVE, is one of the most emotive issues in PR, with recent years marked by excessively long shortlists, reverse pitch auctions and widespread ghosting of agencies. Here is the link to a previous PRmoment Podcast with Tui's Amy Dowling, where she outlined a recommended 12 stage PR pitch process.He argues that in‑house teams often overcomplicate what should be a structured, courteous process, and that following a clear best‑practice model would save agencies time and deliver better client–agency fit.Hannah, who likens pitching to dating with its “icks, tricks and hacks,” describes both the traditional pitch process and her more disruptive alternative. Traditionally, brands move from longlist to shortlist, run chemistry sessions with three or four agencies, issue a written brief, then hold pitch meetings where agencies present polished strategies and big ideas before a Q&A, followed by a delayed decision and often poor feedback. From an agency standpoint, chemistry sessions are critical for understanding how clients think, why the brief exists, what their vision is, and who the real decision‑makers are. She stresses the need to research and challenge in advance to bring a point of view, not just show up passively.Hannah's proposed four‑step model retains the chemistry session but demands a much clearer, more brief. She insists on explicit budgets, not necessarily large but realistic, so agencies can shape ideas to fit. She also wants success metrics and decision‑maker clarity set out from the start. Her major innovation is replacing traditional pitch theatre with a live workshop. In this setup, the brief lands shortly before the meeting—perhaps 24 hours in advance—and the pitch itself becomes a collaborative working session. The agency leads, dissecting the brief, challenging assumptions and building ideas in real time with the client. She argues that this is far better for assessing how an agency thinks, responds under pressure and will work day‑to‑day than judging them on speculative deck polish. This is reinforced by her estimate that only about 10 to 15 percent of pitched ideas are ever implemented once legal, brand and procurement weigh in.The conversation also covers red flags and etiquette. For Hannah, no budget, fuzzy timings, overlong unfocused briefs and “blue‑sky thinking” requests without a defined sense of “bold” are strong warning signs. She is particularly wary of tissue sessions dominated by junior stakeholders that send agencies down the wrong path before senior decision‑makers appear at the final pitch. On ghosting, both she and Ben are blunt: decisions should come within 10 days to two weeks, and losing agencies deserve meaningful feedback, ideally via a phone call.Finally, they discuss how independent agencies like Axe & Saw use pitching strategically. Averaging roughly one pitch a week has helped them nearly double revenue in a year, but Hannah emphasises intentional growth: each win should either pay the bills or shift the agency's trajectory, and profile is built as much through consistent, visible work as through formal announcements and awards.“I think pitching, agency pitching, is like dating. Everyone loves to talk about the icks and tricks and the hacks, and everyone gets very heated and irate.”— Hannah Sharrett, [0:01:58]“We've seen extraordinarily long long lists, reverse pitch auctions, and loads and loads of ghosting… it's one of those topics that always stirs the passions, particularly with agency folks.”— Ben Smith, [0:00:03]“I don't think it should be slick‑Rick presentations at all. I think the best pitch should feel like a live working session.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:03:16]“If they can't make a decision throughout the pitch process, that probably suggests they can't make a decision that easily throughout your working relationship.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:06:29]“I'm actually not looking for the biggest budget. I'm looking for the most honest conversation about where the budget actually is.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:03:16]“In a dream world, 10 days, max two weeks. Anything longer than two weeks is offensive, or you can't make a decision.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:11:42]“If you don't win, proper feedback is the most valuable thing you can give an agency. It's the one thing that says, ‘This hasn't all been for nothing.'”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:11:42]“If a client says they want bold but they can't define what bold means to them, they're probably not ready to buy bold.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:17:39]“Bold without a budget—that's the ultimate destructive combo.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:18:43]“Every pitch matters because every client changes your trajectory.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:24:48]

In this episode of the PRmoment Podcast's weekly news review, Ben Smith is joined by Angie Moxon and Mark Borkowski for a wide‑ranging discussion spanning British politics, football, FIFA's reputation, and Wimbledon.The conversation opens with what Angie has dubbed “the politics of farce”, focusing on Nigel Farage, the Reform party, Count Binface, and the Clacton by‑election. Angie predicts Count Binface could “trash” Farage and laments that, despite the historic struggle to win the vote, British politics has descended into something comical and depressing. Public disillusionment, she argues, is understandable given the corruption and behaviour of politicians.Mark acknowledges Farage's skill as a communicator and campaigner, noting how effectively he has handled tough questions about a £5 million donation from Christopher Harborne. However, he suggests that Farage has “crossed the line” regarding rules on political funding and now faces appropriate scrutiny, potentially including police investigation. Mark argues that Farage's strengths as a campaigner do not necessarily translate into being a capable constituency MP, and suggests many Reform supporters may worry about his actual ability to represent them.The trio then discuss the strategic move by other major parties to unite against Farage by refusing to play his “let the people decide” by‑election game. Mark sees this as a rare moment of unity against political outliers that, if repeated more often, might strengthen parliamentary democracy. Angie reflects on the demographic profile of Clacton – likely older voters – and suggests this still favours Farage, though national mood and protest votes could yet shape the result. Ben points out that Reform typically struggle to exceed 30–35% of the vote, making them vulnerable if they face a single unity candidate.The discussion shifts to sport, starting with the World Cup and Kylian Mbappé's handling of a racist remarks from a Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla. Mark praises the transformation in elite footballer behaviour, contrasting today's professionalism with the troubles of past stars such as Gazza and Wayne Rooney. Top players like Mbappé, Ronaldo, Bellingham, and Kane are portrayed as heavily media‑trained, acutely aware of their social‑media power, and highly responsible communicators who understand their status as global icons. Angie adds a personal perspective, recalling the open racism she heard on football terraces as a child and highlighting how far, despite serious remaining problems, things have improved.From there, the panel turns to FIFA's communications and governance. Mark brands FIFA's PR an “absolute disaster” and is scathing about Gianni Infantino's ego and political manoeuvring, including the rescinding of a controversial red card and the theatrical awarding of a “peace prize” to Donald Trump. Angie broadens the critique to the systemic corruption and “jobs for the boys” culture she sees in male‑dominated sports administration and corporate leadership, arguing this erodes credibility and is terrible public relations.Finally, the conversation moves to Wimbledon. Ben notes that, in a World Cup year with a depleted British tennis contingent, organisers must have been worried about interest – until Arthur Ferry's unexpected run to the semi‑finals. Angie welcomes him as a much‑needed “Great British hope” whose success can lift viewing figures. Ben closes by observing that the power of sport to capture attention and provide a temporary escape from a troubled world is as strong as ever.“We're now in a season of political farce – and that's a tragedy for a country where people fought so hard to win the vote.” Angie Moxon [00:00:49]–[00:01:20]“Farage is a remarkable communicator – but he's never been a man who embraces rules, and this time he's crossed the line.” Mark Borkowski [00:01:29]–[00:02:15]“If you woke up from a 40‑year sleep and saw the last two weeks' headlines, you'd ask: what on earth has happened to this country?” Mark Borkowski00:02:56]–[00:03:18]“Count Binface's best strategy might be to stay quiet – and let Farage's circus speak for itself.” Angie Moxon  [00:05:04]–[00:05:35]“Today's superstars – Mbappé, Bellingham, Kane, Ronaldo – are not just great players; they're some of the sharpest communicators in global sport.” Mark Borkowski[00:06:17]–[00:08:06]“I grew up hearing vile racism on the terraces as a little girl – so when modern players call it out, it really matters.” Angie Moxon[00:08:25]–[00:09:10]“FIFA's PR has been an absolute disaster; Infantino's ego is centre‑stage while the credibility of the organisation collapses.” Mark Borkowski[00:09:10]–[00:10:18]“This is a classic ‘jobs for the boys' structure – male, closed, and corrupt – and it's terrible PR for football.” Angie Moxon[00:10:51]–[00:11:22]“Despite all the scandals, the World Cup still pulls in more than half the planet – that's the scale of spectacle we're talking about.” Mark Borkowski [00:11:43]–[00:12:37]“Arthur Ferry turning up in a Wimbledon semi‑final is exactly the kind of underdog story broadcasters dream of in a World Cup year.” Ben Smith (with context from Angie)[00:12:46]–[00:13:17]

In this episode of the PRmoment Podcast News Review, Ben Smith steers a sharp conversation with Mark Borkowski and Angie Moxham about one big idea: expectation management as a core comms discipline, using England at the World Cup and Andy Burnham as parallel case studies."We've been in a melee of misery with Starmer… now in comes Burnham, coming up on the left wing, dribbling the ball of hope alongside Kane and his team." – Angie Moxham [0:03:44]Mark opens by reframing “hope” as both asset and liability. For England, he argues, the data says we've already over-performed historically: given the country's size, winning in 1966 was an outlier. Yet every tournament is framed as “win or failure,” a narrative supercharged by 24/7 media and influencer culture. His mantra — never over‑promise, never under‑deliver — is basically a risk‑management doctrine for communicators. The problem, he says, is we “don't have the language to manage expectation” at a national level. That's a damning indictment of both political and media comms: we're great at hype, dreadful at landing people safely when reality bites.Angie extends this into mood politics. The country has lurched from a “melee of misery” under Starmer's early leadership into a fragile “moment of hope” pinned on both Harry Kane and Burnham. Her point is brutally simple: when you load that much symbolic weight onto a football match or a leader, the inevitable downside is a national emotional crash when they fall short. She explicitly links this to GDP, underlining that expectation isn't just psychological theatre – it has real economic consequences.Both guests converge on a core technique: use statistics and framing to create perspective. Mark uses probability (England's slim chances; the structural difficulty of governing in a weak economy) to temper fantasy. Angie echoes this in her client advice: frame stories with facts and stats so journalists can anchor coverage in reality, not fantasy. This is effectively a playbook for PRs: don't just pitch hope; quantify risk, odds, and timelines.The Burnham discussion is where the political application crystallises. Angie praises his early “quick wins” and symbolic moves (e.g. moving Number 10 north) that signal momentum without waiting for legislation. That's clever expectation design: visible, low‑friction actions that buy time for slower structural change. In contrast, Starmer's early period is described as “rabbits in the headlights” — a textbook case of failing to capitalise on the expectation window at the start of a mandate.Mark's take on Thomas Tuchel adds a personal brand layer. Tuchel, he argues, has engineered a no‑lose positioning: if he fails with England, he still exits as a scarce, elite coach. His softer English‑language persona versus his more aggressive German‑language style is framed as deliberate audience‑specific self‑editing — expectation management at the level of tone and character.Editorially, the through‑line is clear: good comms is not about fuelling euphoria; it's about designing the landing. The sophisticated operator uses data, symbolic gestures, and controlled language to keep hope alive without guaranteeing miracles.More quotes from this week's show:"Never over‑promise and never under‑deliver."– Mark Borkowski [0:01:07]"We don't have the language to manage expectation, in this country."– Mark Borkowski [0:02:57]"With every person who follows England, the phrase is it's the hope that kills you."– Mark Borkowski [0:01:40]"We've been in a melee of misery doom with Starmer leading the country… now in comes Burnham, coming up the left wing, dribbling the ball of hope alongside Kane and his team."– Angie Moxham [0:03:44]"When, if and when we lose, which we're likely to statistically, the mood of the nation is going to be absolutely crashing and burning."– Angie Moxham [0:04:15]"The media have a lot of responsibility here… the language that they use, the way they corral the nation's mood."– Angie Moxham [0:04:37]"The World Cup impacts GDP, it literally does."– Angie Moxham [0:04:58]"He's heralding in a new age of politics… he's just a normal guy, he's a man of the people."– Angie Moxham [0:09:19]

This episode of the PRmoment Podcast, hosted by Ben Smith with guest Andrew Bloch, reviews June 2026 UK PR pitch wins and M&A activity in the PR and wider marketing sector.Market sentiment and pitch environmentBloch describes the UK PR pitch market as buoyant and optimistic at the mid‑year point. Agencies are reporting record months, strong new‑business pipelines, and clients releasing healthy campaign budgets on top of retainers. Despite political and economic uncertainty, including wars in Ukraine and Iran and rising energy prices, there is a “heads‑down and busy” pitch environment. Investment is particularly strong in social, consumer, and experiential work, with agencies that can prove genuine commercial impact winning out.Notable pitch winsA series of high‑profile wins illustrate where spend is flowing:Delphi wins UK comms for Gen Digital (Norton, Avast, LifeLock, etc.), a $4–5bn revenue cyber safety and financial wellness group. Wild Signal secures the global remit after an 11‑way pitch, then brings Delphi in for the UK.Tin Man, Appella Advisors, and Gladstone Place Partners win National Lottery operator Allwyn, spanning consumer activations and corporate advisory, taking over from Brunswick.Wonderland secures Ocean Spray across earned, creator, social, and trade, reinforcing its strength in food and drink/FMCG.Red wins Grant Thornton's corporate comms to challenge conventions in professional services.Speed is appointed by Beko plc (Hotpoint, Whirlpool, Indesit, etc.) to oversee all six brands, building on a strong client of Brabantia, Post Office, Co‑op already Speed Clients.New agency Knock Three Times (founded by Kat Thomas) lands Westfield's consumer comms, with a client explicitly citing their “creative storytelling and AI‑era visibility” proposition.Shook wins Innocent's retained consumer press office, while Tin Man adds Yoplait; Boldspace wins Playmobil; and Smarts secures Costa Coffee.A clear pattern emerges: successful agencies combine sector specialism (FMCG, retail, lifestyle) with integrated capabilities (earned, influencer, social, retail activation) and a strong commercial/strategic narrative.M&A themesOn M&A, Bloch says the “M&A world is super busy”, driven by needs for scale, specialism, and social/creator capability:Accenture Song acquires Whalar, signalling how seriously big consultancies now take the creator economy and its projected $40bn+ value.LADbible Group buys a 75% stake in Uncovered for an initial £26m, aiming to combine publisher scale and insight with social‑first creativity, and to shift revenue towards more predictable, direct partnerships.Far on the Hill merges with Fourth Day to form an international tech PR agency across London, New York, Paris, and Manchester.Fleet Street takes a minority stake in KAM Insight in hospitality, potentially a strategic “try before you buy” move, deepening shared data and insight.Bacchus, a luxury lifestyle and hospitality specialist, is acquired by Mazarin Group, reinforcing the power of niche, best‑in‑class specialists.The long‑running Golin–Ketchum merger is finalised under the name Golin Ketchum, creating a large‑scale creative communications powerhouse within Omnicom, with Matt Neale as global CEO and Tamara Norman as global president.Across these deals, Bloch stresses that scale + specialism + strategic/creative clout are becoming decisive, while content alone is commoditising under AI pressure, pushing value into strategy, creativity, and data‑driven effectiveness.The podcast in quotes:Market mood & impact focus“The agencies that can prove genuine commercial impact are winning, Half two of the year is here. Let's get on with it.” – Andrew Bloch [0:02:35]On the M&A climate“The M&A world at the moment is super busy. There is nobody sitting still… there are deals happening. There is movement, and it is buoyant for sure at the moment.” – Andrew Bloch [0:03:14]On Delphi's Gen Digital win“This is a four to five billion dollar revenue business… a significant win for an agency of that age and size.” – Andrew Bloch [0:04:33]On Knock Three Times and AI‑era visibility“Knock Three Times offered something we hadn't seen elsewhere – a progressive proposition that puts creative storytelling and AI‑era visibility on equal footing.” – Andrew Bloch (quoting Westfield's head of marketing) [0:10:16]On publishers buying agencies & the social sector“This is a play for the future, and this will not be the first deal you will see in this space of this nature.” – Andrew Bloch, on LADbible–Uncovered and social agencies [0:24:28]On AI and commoditised content“Content is becoming very much a commodity service… AI is an enormous threat to any agency that is in the content space. The agencies that will survive… have the strategic relationships, the creative relationships at the top table.” – Andrew Bloch [0:23:31–0:24:28]On Golin Ketchum's ambition“Our ambition is to become the defining agency of the decade, and I love that, because it's a massive ambition.” – Andrew Bloch, quoting Matt Neale [0:33:39]

Semafor's editor-in-chief on why Washington has decided Anthropic needs to pick a side.Ben Smith, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor, joins Eric Newcomer to break down the collision between the Trump administration and Anthropic, and what it reveals about the new relationship between Washington and big tech. Ben explains why the government is taking equity stakes in companies, how the Trump family is monetizing the presidency, and why he believes this is one of the most corrupt periods in modern American governance.The conversation also covers the politicization of the Justice Department, why CEOs now flock to Washington instead of avoiding it, the Intel deal and what it signals about industrial policy, and Ben's bet that newsletters and live events can outlast the chase for viral traffic in media.Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, investors, and executives shaping the tech industry.

Semafor's editor-in-chief on why Washington has decided Anthropic needs to pick a side.Ben Smith, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor, joins Eric Newcomer to break down the collision between the Trump administration and Anthropic, and what it reveals about the new relationship between Washington and big tech. Ben explains why the government is taking equity stakes in companies, how the Trump family is monetizing the presidency, and why he believes this is one of the most corrupt periods in modern American governance.The conversation also covers the politicization of the Justice Department, why CEOs now flock to Washington instead of avoiding it, the Intel deal and what it signals about industrial policy, and Ben's bet that newsletters and live events can outlast the chase for viral traffic in media.Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, investors, and executives shaping the tech industry.

The episode explores whether the PR jobs market is in crisis, how AI and economics are reshaping recruitment, and what candidates and employers should do next.Ben Smith frames the discussion by noting a “complex scene” where firms are still recruiting but “lots of really good people” are looking for work, with visible redundancies, especially in holding companies.Is the PR jobs market in crisis?Recruiter Olivia Skone rejects the word “crisis” but calls the environment “challenging” across the creative industries. There are still “great roles for exceptional talent,” yet several pressures combine into what she calls a “perfect storm”: economic uncertainty, squeezed margins, clients “wanting more for less,” cautious hiring, and application volumes “drastically increasing” due to technology and AI [0:01:40–0:03:00].She stresses candidates struggle less with rejection than with opaque processes:“It's actually not rejection that candidates are finding tough, I think it's the visibility as to why they're not getting through” [0:02:33].Volume of candidates and structural changeAgency founder Kat Thomas reports an unprecedented wave of jobseekers:“Since… end of February, early March, I've had well over 300 people contact me on LinkedIn, looking for work, and that's extraordinary” [0:03:11–0:03:27].She's seeing especially mid‑to‑senior people (around 10–15 years' experience) across comms and creative:“I've just never seen it like it… I think it's structural… the legacy of the industry shape shifting and redundancies at scale” [0:03:32–0:05:02].AI: “demon of mediocrity” and employer's marketOlivia argues the core driver is still the economy, but AI is being used as “a really good excuse… to clean house a little bit” [0:06:16–0:07:32]. She predicts AI will be “the demon of mediocrity” – replacing lower‑level, process‑driven work, not top‑tier client leadership and original thinking.Kat describes today as “an employer's market” with “overwhelming” choice [0:07:35–0:09:35]. Building an AI‑centric agency, she looks for people who are “AI literate or at the very least AI curious,” noting juniors are almost “AI natives,” while senior understanding is more mixed. AI, used well, creates “bandwidth” so teams can spend more time with clients and media [0:07:35–0:09:30].Broken recruitment channels and AI “CV slop”LinkedIn is now a firehose: roles can attract “over 500 applicants” in days [0:11:33–0:12:28]. That's driving AI‑based screening and, as Olivia notes, a “homogenization of CVs” where“everyone looks brilliant on paper” [0:12:59–0:13:23].She warns of “robots writing the CVs, robots reviewing the CVs… robots interviewing humans” and insists “you cannot replace the human in the loop” [0:13:35–0:14:47].Advice and outlookOlivia tells redundant candidates:“Don't be ashamed of this… it doesn't define you or your worth” [0:23:53–0:26:46].She urges them to craft a clear narrative, visibly use downtime (speaking, writing, consulting), and avoid AI‑generated LinkedIn posts and CVs that erase individuality. Specificity, sector expertise, and a strong human voice matter more as tools make everything else look similar.Looking ahead, Olivia expects risk‑averse clients to favour sector specialists and leaders who combine transformation capability with high EQ and psychological safety [0:32:48–0:34:49]. Kat is broadly optimistic: AI can “supercharge your knowledge” while leaving creativity and originality firmly human [0:29:40–0:31:54].

Sunday 21st June 2026 | Mark 9:33-50 | Ben Smith

This week on [edit] radio, hosting trio Tom Crook, Paul Whitty, and Ben Smith talk about the World Cup and more, as they share this most handpicked selection of tracks, both new and used. Artist – Track [Album] [edit] radio podcast 823 – Right Click and Save As to Download The post Podcast 823 | Featuring Lambchop, Rondor Veneziano & Dry Cleaning appeared first on [edit] radio.

Scopitone was a video jukebox from the 1960s that featured short clips that could be considered proto-music videos. Ben discusses the history, production, and cultural impact of the medium while Mike delights in the off-model nature of the content.

The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Thursday, June 11, 20264:20 pm: Ben Smith, political writer and contributor to Red State, joins the show for a conversation about his piece on how Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was aware of the fraud taking place in his state, yet did nothing to stop it.4:38 pm: Jim Antle, Politics Editor for the Washington Examiner, joins Rod and Greg to discuss his piece about how Spencer Pratt's loss in the Los Angeles mayoral election shows that large cities run by Democrats won't change course anytime soon.6:05 pm: Economist Steve Moore, co-founder of Unleash Prosperity, joins Rod and Greg for their weekly conversation about politics and the nation's economy, and today they'll discuss inflation and get a history lesson about Calvin Coolidge you didn't know you needed.6:38 pm: Jason Richwine, Resident Scholar for the Center for Immigration Studies, joins the show to discuss the results of a new report that shows welfare use by non-citizen households is substantially higher than that of the U.S.-born.

In the latest PRmoment Podcast news review, host Ben Smith sits down with PR heavyweights Mark Borkowski and Angie Moxham to dissect a packed agenda covering political downfalls, tech trillionaires, and sports geopolitics. Before diving in, Smith drops a crucial reminder to secure tickets for the upcoming PR in AI Masterclass, featuring an incredible lineup available both face-to-face and virtually.The Politics of War and a Leadership VacuumThe discussion kicks off with the unraveling of Keir Starmer's leadership following high-profile exits like John Healy over defence budget shortfalls. Angie Moxham delivers a scathing review, calling the exit the "last weapon of mass Starmer destruction" and the "final nail-in in Keir's coffin." She describes Starmer as a "wounded dog limping towards the exit door," concluding simply that "he's not a leader."Mark Borkowski highlights the internal party despair, noting insiders have long since "given up on Keir."Looking ahead, Moxham predicts Manchester's Andy Burnham will secure a slim win at the Makerfield election and ultimately "end up in number 10."Elon Musk and the Illusion of ValueThe panel then tackles Elon Musk's trajectory toward becoming the world's first trillionaire. Borkowski holds nothing back, blasting Musk for "interfering with British politics from the other side of the world with some really disgusting and inciting language." He strongly challenges the cultural idolization of "mega tech bros," asking if they should be viewed as examples for humanity: "I argue you're not."Moxham balances this critique with a critical lesson for comms professionals, noting Musk has "absolutely managed the art of perception to drive value in his businesses." For any CEO doubting PR's bottom-line impact, Moxham argues Musk is the ultimate proof of its power—even if he completely rewrites the rules of public accountability.The World Cup Paradox: Unity vs. GeopoliticsFinally, the conversation shifts to the upcoming North American World Cup. Moxham underscores the immense emotional and cultural stakes of the beautiful game, sharing a striking quote: "The World Cup is the only event on earth where a billion people cry at the same time. The question is... whether those are tears of joy or tears of hatred."While Borkowski notes that toxic global politics is already seeping into the tournament, he remains optimistic that great football will ultimately win out and rescue everyone from politicians to brands.Master the Future: PR in AI MasterclassAs technology and perception continue to redefine the global corporate landscape, staying ahead of the curve is non-negotiable. Head over to the PRmoment homepage to grab your tickets for the PR in AI Masterclass. Tickets are flying out the door for both the face-to-face and virtual sessions—don't miss out on learning from an absolutely amazing lineup of industry experts!

In the May 2026 edition of the PRmoment Podcast, host Ben Smith sits down with new business maestro Andrew Bloch (AAR, PCB Partners) to dissect a shifting UK communications landscape. The overarching theme of the month highlights a widening divide between agencies riding massive waves of momentum and those experiencing localized, procurement-driven hesitation.Before diving into the market data, Ben shares two critical industry diary dates for your radar:AI in PR Masterclass (July 2nd, 2026): Titled The Age of Algorithms, Predictive Analytics, and Risk, this event is a comprehensive guide to navigating future-facing tech. Secure your virtual or face-to-face London spot at PRmasterclasses.com.The Creative Moment Awards: The absolute final entry deadline is closing fast on Friday, 19th June 2026. Ensure your team's best creative work is in the running by submitting over at creativemomentawards.co.Key Themes1. The procurement squeeze and market polarizationAndrew Bloch defines the current climate as one of "cautious optimism" mixed with macro anxiety. Pipelines are active, but growth is unevenly distributed. Agencies with sharp specialisms—particularly in sports, consumer lifestyle, and social—are thriving, while others face gridlocked client sign-offs. Furthermore, clients are heavily relying on procurement to extract maximum commercial impact, shifting expectations entirely away from traditional "column inches."2. The independent "David vs. Goliath" surgeA massive takeaway from May's pitch cycle is the clear dominance of independent agencies over legacy network holding companies. Clients are progressively prioritizing agile storytelling and pure earned media capabilities over sheer corporate scale.3. M&A Strategy: earned media as strategic platform glueWhile private equity (PE) and trade buyers are exercising strict valuation discipline, high-quality independents remain hot targets. Private equity is increasingly viewing standout consumer PR agencies as anchor platforms to bolt on smaller social, data, and AI-enabled services.Major pitch wins & M&A DealsNotable Wins: Words and Pixels scooped the coveted UK/Ireland brief for tech giant Pinterest, beating out legacy networks. Newly launched Joe Public landed Sneak Energy, and The Romans expanded their sports footprint by securing Oakley's global and North American remit. Other wins included Grayling taking the Croatian National Tourist Board and Hope and Glory onboarding Ask Italian.M&A Highlights: Publicis made a massive $2.2 billion bet on tech infrastructure by acquiring data collaboration platform LiveRamp at a 30% premium. Meanwhile, Havas snapped up Paris-based corporate influence firm Format, and Mike Worldwide acquired workplace communications agency Hudson Lake.Quotes from Andrew BlochOn maintaining agency momentum:"In a market like this where budgets could disappear overnight, momentum is really the closest thing you can get to having security... You can't stand still in this market. Standing still is going backwards."On why private equity is hunting for PR firms:"What's really encouraging for the PR space is they're seeing earned media as actually the glue that ties together lots of different bits of the marketing mix."On the resurgence of pure storytelling:"A lot of agencies have almost forgotten the art of storytelling and the art of earned media... Let's not forget how important earned media is. That's where PR is."

Ella Loneragan and Jack McGinn discuss Holyoake and its chief executive Ben Smith. Plus: One of WA's oldest pubs to get makeover; State opposition would overturn uranium ban; and Georgiou Group selected for $67m Bentley project.

At the International Air Transport Association in Rio De Janeiro, Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith discusses the airline's resumption of flights to the Gulf region, starting with Riyadh, and also what he needs to see to resume flights to other destinations such as Tel Aviv or Dubai. Smith also spoke about the challenges associated with the amount of fuel the airline currently has, and how long that supply can last. Smith spoke with Bloomberg's Guy Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the PRmoment Podcast, Ben Smith and Will Hart, CEO of PRmoment Leaders, engage in a timely debate surrounding the structural integration of public relations and artificial intelligence. Moving decisively past the initial "experimental" phase where practitioners simply played with basic prompts, the industry has rapidly arrived at a critical juncture. Today's leaders are forced to confront foundational organizational design questions, evolving agency structures, and entirely new talent profiles.While Hart highlights the profound excitement of being able to fundamentally rethink traditional operational workflows, Smith offers a grounded counter-perspective: the core objective of public relations—using distinct channels to strategically influence audiences—remains fundamentally unchanged. However, the infrastructure utilized to achieve these goals is shifting dramatically. A primary catalyst is the democratisation of predictive analytics; a concept that was once a cost-prohibitive dream for marketers is now an accessible reality for modern PR targeting. Yet, this technological leap brings multifaceted risks. Agency leaders are navigating intense client pushback regarding intellectual property security, deepfakes, corporate reputation vulnerabilities, and looming sector-specific compliance regulations.A significant portion of the dialogue focuses on agency workflows and the existential threat of automation. Smith warns against a reductive approach to AI, noting that if an agency's sole strategy is the integration of basic tools, it triggers a "race to the bottom" since everyone has access to the same software. True competitive advantage relies on human curiosity and the ability to navigate strategic ambiguity. This technical evolution directly challenges the traditional agency pyramid model. As AI automates the "grunt work," leaders must figure out how to train junior entry-level staff who historically relied on those repetitive tasks to learn the trade. Concurrently, in-house corporate communications roles are experiencing a major boardroom elevation, transforming CCOs into critical stakeholders guiding their broader enterprises through the AI revolution.To master these urgent structural friction points, PR professionals should secure tickets to the upcoming AI in PR Masterclass (full agenda details at https://www.prmasterclasses.com/masterclass/pr-masterclasses-ai-in-pr/agenda).Curated by Smith, this advanced, pitch-free session is not a how to write prompts for ChatGPT tutorial - it's a high-level strategic activation. The elite speaker lineup includes Sal Della Monica (MikeWorldwide) discussing how to prevent efficiency from diluting work effectiveness, Allison Spray (Burson) exposing AI implementation traps, and Andy Barr revealing critical research on which media titles influence LLM results.Additionally, leading copyright lawyer Luke English will break down the legal landscape, Mike Robb (Boldspace) will showcase agent-based workflow redesigns, and Kat Arnull will delve into the power of market mix modeling. The day also features a powerhouse corporate panel with in-house communications directors from L&G, Tenable, Procore, and Verizon, wrapped up by Peter Heneghan (Albie) forecasting the ultimate redesign of future communications teams. Available both in-person and via virtual live stream, space is strictly limited.Will Hart on the scale of the AI shift:"AI in PR got real very quickly. It's massively exciting though. How many times in your life in your working life do you get to be in a place where you can fundamentally rethink everything you do and how you do it."Ben Smith on the hidden danger of over-automating:"You might run the most beautifully efficient PR business by integrating AI into your workflow. But if you're not very careful about the quality of your work, your level of insight may well decrease."Ben Smith on why relying solely on tools backfires:“If your strategy is the integration of tools and agents in your business, it's a race to the bottom. Because everyone's basically got access to that."Ben Smith on how predictive analytics solves PR's historical budget issue:"One of the things that has always had the handbrake on PR budgets is that unpredictability of outcome because there's so many other things going on... but AI has made predictive analytics accessible for a fraction of the historical cost. For PR that is going to change the game"

In this week's edition of the News Review on the PRmoment podcast, host Ben Smith, is joined by industry heavyweights Mark Borkowski and Angie Moxham to dissect one of the most significant political crisis management events of the year: Nicola Sturgeon's high-stakes sit-down interview with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC. Following her estranged husband Peter Murrell's recent guilty plea to embezzling over £400,000 from the SNP, the former First Minister faced an intense 55-minute interrogation aimed at shifting the narrative from political complicity to personal betrayal.Ben kicks off the discussion by questioning whether the interview succeeded in separating Sturgeon's personal reputation from the unfolding financial scandal of the party she led for nearly a decade. Mark Borkowski offers a sharp critique of the crisis communications strategy, noting that while Sturgeon's performance was emotionally raw—particularly when discussing a £425 necklace bought with stolen funds—it ultimately struggled under the weight of incredulity. He argues that her core defense—claiming she had no "conscious memory" of a massive motorhome parked outside her mother-in-law's house—strained public belief, leaving the "brand" of Sturgeon severely damaged despite her formidable media skills.Angie Moxham shifts the lens toward the gender dynamics and long-term reputational impact. Moxham observes that Sturgeon deliberately weaponized a highly relatable narrative: the trope of a successful woman being unfairly blamed for the hidden, fraudulent actions of the man in her life. While Angie acknowledges that this framing could resonate strongly with a core segment of the public and female voters, she questions whether it can truly repair the massive trust deficit currently facing the SNP. Moxham analyzes how the "personal vs. political" mashup plays out for independent brand survival, noting that Sturgeon's insistence that she is “serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit” effectively positions her as the primary victim, eclipsing the independence donors whose money was actually taken.The panel agrees that while the BBC gave Sturgeon the necessary space to outline her trauma and bewilderment, the interview highlights the near-impossible task of separating a leader's legacy from systemic organizational failure. Ultimately, the review concludes that while Sturgeon successfully reminded the public of her formidable communication prowess, the sheer volume of high-value goods involved makes an absolute reputational recovery unlikely.Finally, Ben closes the segment with an important industry notice, urging listeners to submit their entries for the upcoming Creative Moment Awards before the final entry deadline on June 19th.You can watch the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg Interview to see the exact moment Nicola Sturgeon addresses the embezzlement scandal and discusses the personal toll it has taken on her life.

What is "Camp"? In 1964, literary critic Susan Sontag investigated this question in her culture-defining essay "Notes on Camp". We discuss how the concept of Camp applies to Eurovision, other forms of pop culture, and our day-to-day lives.

In this episode of the PRmoment Podcast, host Ben Smith sits down with Will Hart, CEO of PRmoment Leaders, to unpack the four most pressing leadership challenges facing senior agency executives. As agencies navigate an era characterized by unprecedented disruption, Hart highlights how leaders are balancing day-to-day business survival with systemic shifts in technology and workforce culture.Key ThemesAI Disruption & Governance: Artificial Intelligence is the most pervasive topic across agency masterclasses. The challenge has evolved from initial existential panic to practical governance—determining how to safely integrate AI into client services, agency structures, and junior talent workflows without losing the human element.The Multi-Generational Divide: A distinct cultural fault line has emerged between pre-COVID and post-COVID workforces. Gen Z and junior practitioners prioritize hard boundaries and work-life balance, contrasting sharply with the traditional, "always-on" agency culture of the past.The Unsettled Hybrid Work Model: The debate over hybrid working remains volatile. While client-side CEOs increasingly demand five-day in-office weeks, agencies are attempting to maintain flexible structures (typically a 3:2 model) to retain talent, with proximity and commute times dictating employee satisfaction.High Performance in Hyper-Competitive Markets: Leaders are forced to maintain profitability, pitch constantly, and deliver exceptional creative work while fundamentally restructuring their businesses.On AI Panic: > "If you work hard, you're motivated, and you're intelligent... you're going to be alright. It's a tool for you to earn more. You don't need to panic." — Ben SmithOn Gen Z and Work-Life Balance: > "The Gen Z people... they have a different approach to life. They are more generally into work-life balance actually and, you know, hard to fault them on that, isn't it?" — Will HartOn the Current Pace of Change: > "It's sort of like building the plane as you're flying it... everything we've spoken about now, I guess particularly AI, is just driving such massive change." — Will HartElevate Your Agency: Join the Latest Semester of PRmoment LeadersAre you a senior PR agency leader trying to navigate these exact friction points alone? You don't have to. The latest semester of PRmoment Leaders has officially kicked off, offering an exclusive, private community where over 30 agency bosses openly share challenges, benchmarks, and strategies.This semester features an unmissable masterclass lineup designed to solve modern agency pain points:Clara Biu (Allwyn UK): On the evolving talent profile required for modern in-house teams.Bruce McLachlan (Amazon): Revealing "10 things I wish I'd known when running an agency."Nicola Green (Virgin Media O2): On elevating comms to the board level without a CMO.Thierry Ngutegure (Six Chillies): On the intersection of SEO, data, and PR storytelling.Frankie Cory (Hello Tomorrow): On building a modern agency from scratch with AI at its core.Ben Smith (PRmoment): Breaking down macro-trends and insights from over 430 podcast interviews.Click here to learn more about PRmoment Leaders and secure your place for the next cohort!

On this episode, Ben Smith of BrightReach Sales and Tim Wehner of LendingOne join Andrew Smallwood to talk about what broker/owners need to know about building a business development function and winning business.

In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Ben Smith preaches from 1 Kings 21:17–29 in a message titled “Faithful in Every Season.”After Naboth is murdered and Ahab takes possession of his vineyard, the Lord sends Elijah to confront the king with a word of judgment. Ahab had sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord, and Elijah's message exposes the sin that Ahab may have tried to hide behind excuses.This sermon considers the call for God's people to speak truth faithfully in every season. Believers must be willing to confront sin, contend for righteousness, and declare the whole truth of God. Yet this passage also reminds us that God's purpose in confronting sin is not merely retribution, but repentance and restoration.Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 21:17–29Series: The Story of ElijahKey Themes: Elijah, Ahab, Naboth's vineyard, repentance, judgment, restoration, faithfulness, speaking truth, biblical preachingTo learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

Stay Ahead of the Comms Curve! As discussed in this week's news review, modern public relations requires a bold, adaptive approach to narrative building and corporate communication. To ensure your skills remain razor-sharp in an evolving digital landscape, don't miss PRmoment's AI in PR Masterclass. Learn how to ethically and effectively leverage cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools to supercharge your campaigns, streamline insights, and manage modern brand reputations.

On this week’s podcast, Tom Crook, Ben Smith and Paul Whitty share their experiences from this year’s Wood Festival before returning home and sharing their favourite new tracks for your enjoyment. Artist – Track [Album] [edit] radio podcast 819 – Right Click and Save As to Download The post Podcast 819 | Featuring The Milk Cartoon Kids, Getdown Services & John Bramwell appeared first on [edit] radio.

Better late than never: let's talk about Eurovision 2026. We'll discuss what happened in Vienna, what this means for the Contest going forward, and share our post-confetti plans. Also: BULGARIA?!

In this episode of the PRmoment Podcast, host Ben Smith sits down with the industry's veteran commentators, Mark Borkowski and Angie Moxham, to dissect the shifting boundaries of media integrity, agency workflows, and national political communication. Together, the panel delivers a timely analysis of an industry facing an existential crisis of trust.Here's the link to PRmoment's PR Masterclass AI in PR.1. The threat AI "make-believe" journalistsThe episode kicks off with a sobering discussion centered on tech journalist Rob Waugh's latest reporting in the Press Gazette. Waugh exposes an industrial-scale manipulation scheme where entirely fabricated, AI-generated journalist personas have successfully placed hundreds of articles across major global business titles. These ghost writers are systematically deployed to surreptitiously plug crypto schemes, tech startups, and corporate interests.Borkowski notes that while propaganda and astroturfing are legacy tactics, generative AI scales them to a terrifying degree. The panel recalls the recent Cannes Lions scandal, where an entry won a prestigious award using entirely fabricated media coverage out of South America, highlighting a systemic vulnerability where agencies prioritize superficial metrics over verification. Moxham points out that this "phantom press" is the inevitable consequence of traditional newsrooms being hollowed out by massive redundancies, leaving overstretched editorial teams vulnerable to automated deception.2. "Back to the Future": The PR revivalIn response to this rising tide of automated noise, Moxham champions a radical return to traditional PR foundations—a strategy she calls "back to the future." As algorithmic content compromises independent media, the panel predicts a massive audience backlash that will drive consumers back to trusted, verified heritage brands.For PR practitioners, the antidote to AI replication is raw human connection. Moxham sharply critiques the modern tendency of junior agency staff to act like "monkeys on a typewriter," hiding behind digital data and email grids. Instead, she urges a revival of "white-eyeballing it"—picking up the phone, pressing the flesh, and stepping out of the office to build deep client and media rapport. Borkowski echoes this, identifying a generational deficit where younger professionals struggle to navigate real-time phone conversations, even as overstretched journalists operate like "galley slaves" with little time to meet. Ultimately, the panel agrees that personal networks are the only asset guaranteed to survive a career, suggesting modern alternatives like personalized WhatsApp voice notes to maintain a high-touch human presence.3. Political Vacuums and the Power of the SoundbiteShifting to national politics, the conversation turns to the brewing leadership crisis within the Labour Party. With the party locked in a high-stakes strategic vacuum ahead of a pivotal, by-election, Moxham views Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as Labour's strongest candidate to stabilize market confidence and protect the country's recent economic growth metrics.Analyzing the broader communication landscape, Borkowski argues that while figures like Keir Starmer are fundamentally decent, they struggle because they project robotic corporate brands. Conversely, populists like Nigel Farage excel because they understand that modern audiences react emotionally to punchy soundbites rather than structured paragraphs. Farage operates masterfully as a "soundbite man," fearlessly voicing the exact grievances an unsettled electorate is thinking. The panel concludes with a stark warning: Reform UK is poised to deploy its deep pockets and sophisticated social media apparatus to destabilize Labour's By-election campaign.

Title: Dressed For BattleSpeaker: Pastor Ben SmithDate: 10th May 2026Location: Adelaide, Australia Summary: "The strength that we find in the Lord by the Spirit comes from the softness of the attributes of the Spirit, not the hardness." This episode takes a close look at the armour of God in Ephesians 6, and why God's approach to spiritual warfare looks nothing like what we might expect. Drawing from Ephesians 6, Isaiah, the Psalms, and the story of David and Goliath, the episode works through each piece of the armour and explains what it actually is and where it comes from. The girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the rest are not things we manufacture or maintain on our own. They are given to us, and their power comes not from human force or strategy, but from the character of God Himself. The episode also follows the people of Judah, who were offered the quiet waters of Shiloah but chose military alliance instead, and paid for it. That contrast between trusting God's provision and reaching for worldly strength runs through the whole message. When Hezekiah led Israel to rest in God rather than fight in their own strength, they won without lifting a finger. The same principle holds today. Key Points: Spiritual battles cannot be won with carnal methods. Trying to fight them that way means defeat before you start. The armour of God is not your armour. Every piece of it, truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, comes from God and is received, not earned. Strength in spiritual warfare comes through softness, prayer, trust, and the Spirit, not through force, arguments, or self-reliance. Reference Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-18 Isaiah 11:1-5 Isaiah 59:16-17 Isaiah 8:5-8 Isaiah 30:7, 15 Psalm 18:30-35 1 Samuel 17:38-40 2 Chronicles 32:8 John 9 (Pool of Siloam) Hebrews 13:7 Listen to the entire Podcast Revival library by visiting https://podcastrevival.com The Revival Fellowship is a Bible-directed, Spirit-filled Church and we welcome visitors to our meetings at any of our locations worldwide. To find your nearest venue visit https://therevivalfellowship.com © 2026 The Revival Fellowship. All Rights Reserved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forever Faithful, Genesis 11:10–32Genesis 11:10–32 may appear at first to be a simple genealogy, but this passage is a profound testimony to the faithfulness of God. After Babel, the biblical narrative moves from the nations to the line of Shem leading to Abram, showing how God is preserving His word and advancing His redemptive plan.In this sermon, Ben Smith preaches from Genesis 11:10–32 and shows three encouragements for the church:God is faithful throughout history.God is faithful regardless of man's corruption.God is faithful forever to His word.This passage reminds us that nations rise and fall, the faithful may drift, and truth may be polluted and confused, but God remains faithful to remember His covenants and accomplish His will through His power.Scripture Passage: Genesis 11:10–32Series: GenesisSermon Title: Forever FaithfulTo learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

Spain has been ride-or-die for Eurovision since debuting in 1961. In this episode, we'll be taking a look at how Spain's original approach to the Contest may have informed their decision to not attend the festivities in Vienna for the first time in 65 years. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social. Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

This PRmoment podcast looks at the PR pitch market in the UK and the PR M&A activity for April 2026.PRmoment founder Ben Smith interviews Andrew Bloch.Andrew also runs the advisory firm Andrew Bloch & Associates.Pitch Market - Trading has been generally positive and the market remains resilient, with many agencies out performing expectations. However, operational pressures are evident, including slower client response times and higher-than-expected inflation causing rising costs and impacting profitability. Transparent conversations around value, output, and outcomes are becoming increasingly critical as both sides navigate a more complex and cost-sensitive landscape. Agencies will be closely monitoring the impact of global events but for now, many are benefiting from momentum built in Q1, which shows little sign of slowing. By month-end, most agencies should have a clearer view of the year ahead.M&A Market - M&A activity points to a market increasingly driven by capability consolidation, specialist expertise and tech-enabled differentiation. Large holding groups are continuing to make targeted acquisitions to deepen strengths in high-growth areas such as social, influencer, sports marketing and experiential, with a clear focus on building more connected, end-to-end communications ecosystems. Private equity remains active in backing platform-building businesses and specialist agencies with strong vertical expertise, particularly where there is an opportunity to internationalise, professionalise or bolt on proprietary tech and data assets. We are also seeing growing value placed on owned technology, data and creator/influencer platforms as acquirers look for defensible IP and measurable ROI. Alongside strategic and PE-led deals, founder succession and management buyouts continue to shape the independent agency landscape, while newer niche businesses are increasingly carving out value through highly defined audience propositions before either scaling independently or becoming attractive acquisition targets. Overall, the market remains robust for differentiated assets that combine specialist sector expertise, scalable international reach and technology-led or measurable service offerings.

Trumps Always Chickens Out. Als puntje bij paaltje komt, haakt president Trump af en zet hij zijn dreigement niet door. Een uitdrukking die je als belegger héél véél hebt gehoord. Er komt nu een bij: NACHO. Klinkt lekker, maar dat is het niet. En heeft te maken met de Iran-oorlog die diezelfde Trump is gestart. Not A Chance Hormuz Opens, dat is waar je als belegger nu rekening mee moet houden. Dat is waar we het deze aflevering over hebben. Het scenario dat de Straat van Hormuz voorlopig dicht blijft. Een redelijk realistisch vooruitzicht, nu de vredesgesprekken tussen Iran en de VS zijn geklapt. Met NACHO moet je rekening houden met een lange periode van hoge olieprijs én inflatie. Hebben we het ook over Air France-KLM. Dat gaat verdwijnen. De naam dan, lezen we in De Telegraaf. Topman Ben Smith wil op overnamepad en wil meer luchtvaartmaatschappijen toevoegen. Waardoor de naam Air France-KLM niet meer past. Goed moment voor ons om te kijken naar dat nieuwe concern dat ontstaat. Is dat dan eindelijk een goede investering? Ook in deze aflevering: een spannend verhaal over insider trading. Een netwerk van advocaten gaf maar liefst 12 jaar lang informatie aan elkaar door over enorme deals op Wall Street. Een explosief verhaal. Over explosief gesproken: we bespreken het aandeel Rheinmetall. Het Duitse defensiebedrijf gaat niet lekker op de beurs, terwijl het juist zou moeten profiteren van al het leed in de wereld. Te gast: Corné van Zeijl van Cardano. BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie. Van Musk tot Microsoft en van Ahold tot ASML. Wij vertellen je wat beleggers bezighoudt, wie de markten in beweging zet en wat dat betekent voor jouw beleggingsportefeuille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Ben Smith, Sr. preaches from Genesis 11:1–9 on “The Deadly Pride of Man.”Genesis 11 records the rebellion at Babel, where the people sought to build a city, make a name for themselves, and resist the command of God. This sermon shows that Babel was not merely a story about a tower, but a warning about the deadly pride that draws the human heart away from God.This message considers: - The pride of ability - The danger of elevating preference over obedience - The pride of self-sufficiency - The desire to control worship apart from God - The pride of mastery - God's sovereign judgment over human rebellion - The call to repentance, humility, and obedienceThe Tower of Babel reminds us that human ability is a gift from God, not a replacement for God. Man is not master over his mind, his life, or his future. The faithful response is to humble ourselves before the living God and live.To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

We probably don't talk about it enough but we've all benefited from the increased depth and breadth of public relations which has developed over the past 20 odd years. This change has probably been most vividly illustrated in consumer public relations. Which is why it's going to be so interesting to talk to today's guests: Charlotte Brooks MD, Mischief and Dan Deeks-Osbourn, head of strategy, Mischief as we compare consumer PR now, to 20 years ago, when Mischief was born.Mischief is one of a small band of consumer PR shops in London that have surfed the wave of creative and cultural relevance for the last 20 years. Current clients include Samsung, Just Eat, Eon, Ocado and Coca Cola. Currently 35 people work at Mischief and it is part of the MHP Group. On the show this week we talk about the evolution of consumer public relations and strategies for sustained agency success.Before we start, do check out our next PR Masterclass: AI in PR. Here are the themes:Is AI making PR more efficient, but less effective?What are the AI implementation trapsWhich media titles control ChatGPTWhy AI is winning the copyright warWhat is PR's Missed AI OpportunityWhy AI means that you will need to redesign your PR team's workflowHow newsrooms are using AIHow are in-house PR and comms teams using AI?Check out the full speaker line-up on  https://www.prmasterclasses.com/masterclass/pr-masterclasses-ai-in-prHere is a summary of what Charlotte, Dan and PRmoment founder Ben Smith discussed on the show:What was consumer PR like 20 years ago? And how does that compare with consumer PR today?Is what made a consumer PR firm great 20 years ago, still the same today?Is consumer PR more powerful now than in 2006?Why are PR budgets not increasing in line with the increased depth and breadth of work?Why PR makes marketing distinctive.Why is most consumer PR bought by CMOs? What happened to the in-house PR managers/directors? How has Mischief managed to keep itself relevant as a consumer PR for 20 years?What's the secret of client retention for PR firms?What will consumer PR look like in 20 years time?Evolution of PR landscapeModern public relations requires integrated multi-channel strategies rather than legacy media coverage focus. Effectiveness is now proven through sales impact rather than outdated metrics.Strategy in AI eraAlgorithms and Large Language Models demand clear messaging and constant, always-on creativity. Teams must balance generalist account management with specialized expertise in content and data analysis.Agency growth and retentionLong-term client retention relies on consistent impact and transparent partnerships. Agencies must reject complacency to maintain creative standards while expanding influence within broader marketing departments.

Ben Smith, the former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News and co-founder of Semafor, joins Preet to discuss today's media industry, covering the news, and his latest venture.Then, Preet answers listener questions on preemptive pardons, paternity leave for the Vice President, and…his favorite potatoes.In the bonus for Insiders, Preet and Smith discuss the decline of thoughtfulness, parent-child competition, and the trouble with wanting to be liked.Join the Insider community for access to bonus content from Stay Tuned and weekly episodes of the Insider podcast hosted by Preet and Joyce Vance. Head to cafe.com/insider to sign up. Thank you for supporting our work.Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available on our website.You can now watch this episode! Head to CAFE's Youtube channel and subscribe.Shop Stay Tuned merch and featured books by our guests in our Amazon storefront.Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on BlueSky, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 833-997-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eurovision is an expensive enterprise, and the Netherlands has been one of the Contest's largest financial supporters. In this episode, we'll be taking a look at the financial impact of Netherland's absence from Eurovision 2026. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social. Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Today we're chatting to Zeno's Sarah Ogden and Thomas Bunn about its Clarity 2030 report. The report identifies a fundamental shift in the PR sector suggesting we are moving from the "Information Age" (where PR focused on distribution and volume) to the "Intelligence Age" (where PR must focus on strategic counsel and business outcomes).The report suggests PR has a Readiness Gap - in essence it is saying that currently public relations does not possess the skills required for the future this report predicts.This is a study across N America, Europe and Asia.Before we start, do check out our next PR Masterclass: AI in PR. When I put together the speaker lineup for PR Masterclass: AI in PR, I make sure we invite speakers who are actually doing it. Not just talking about it.Check out the full speaker line-up on  https://www.prmasterclasses.com/masterclass/pr-masterclasses-ai-in-prHere is a summary of what PRmoment founder Ben Smith discussed with Sarah and Thomas on the PRmoment podcast:What is PR's readiness gap?What are the skills PR people have, and what are the skills the Clarity 3030 report predicts PR people will need? And what are the skills people with therefore no longer need in PR, according to this report?What are your other top 5 findings of the report?In the report it predicted 40% of current people working in PR will leave the sector. What was the justification for that prediction?What were the main geographical differences coming through in the report?How does Clarity 2030 view the evolving role of agencies in the PR ecosystem?Likewise, how does the report predict the role of the in-house team will change?The report suggests AI will automate the tactical 'heavy lifting' by 2030. If the tasks juniors traditionally use to 'cut their teeth' disappear, how does Zeno—and the wider industry—plan to train the next generation of strategic advisors who have never had to do the tactical groundwork?Top FindingsThe Strategic Pivot: By 2030, "Media Relations" will no longer be the primary KPI for top-tier PR. Instead, Strategic Counsel and Reputation Risk Management are cited as the top priorities for business leaders.The Talent Mismatch: There is a significant lag in "Business Acumen." The report finds that while PR pros are excellent at storytelling, they are often unable to speak the "language of the boardroom" (finance, operations, and data analytics).SummaryMeeting discussions analyzed the PR sector readiness gap and the necessity for strategic business advisory evolution.Industry Readiness Gap ChallengesThe PR sector faces a significant readiness gap, with 29% of professionals feeling unprepared for the shift toward strategic advisory roles. High-pressure environments and insufficient investment contribute to projected talent departures.AI Integration and SkillsCommunications teams are pivotally involved in AI adoption, yet lack necessary internal tools. Prioritizing emotional intelligence and creativity remains essential for overcoming the deprioritization of traditional tactical skills.Strategic Evolution of RolesAgencies must transition to providing deep business intelligence while in-house teams adopt strategic growth advisor positions. Training programs require fundamental restructuring to emphasize critical thinking alongside AI literacy for junior talent.

Days ago President Trump signed an Executive Order allowing expanded research and access to psychedelic treatments for metal health disorders, specifically allowing access for veterans to seek treatment using Ibogaine. SIMON talks to former Navy SEAL and Ibogaine recipient, BENJAMIN SMITH about what he experienced and how his life has changed since. Don't miss this fascinating conversation!!! AMBIO.life

In this episode of our spring 2026 season of The Publisher Podcast, we're joined by Ben Smith, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Semafor. Ben has previously worked at publications like the New York Times and Buzzfeed, before joining Justin Smith to co-found Semafor in 2022. The publication, which distills the news for global audiences, has launched industry-leading events, pioneered their own article format, and reached profitability in its third year. Ben spoke to us about how their audience and approach has evolved since launch, where they see opportunities and red lines for AI, where he sees paid content fitting into their business model, and how their exclusive CEO newsletter is going. He also shares his advice for anyone looking at launching a news start-up today. Read the key takeaways from this interview, find our weekly newsletter and more on voices.media  

Max Tani and Ben Smith sit down with bestselling author and journalist Patrick Radden Keefe to discuss his gripping new book, London Falling. Keefe reveals how he finds his projects, and navigates his new, unexpected status as a celebrity journalist. They also discuss the art of true crime storytelling, adaptations of his work for film and TV, and how compelling human drama lies at the heart of every interesting topic. Sign up for Semafor Media's Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media  For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com. Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com

Slovenia has struggled to find momentum and consistency on the Eurovision scoreboard. In this episode, we take a look at how rule changes—especially around who qualifies—has impacted Slovenia's ability to succeed at the Contest. Hvala, Ne Summary Slovenia and the Relegation Era (4:39) One Semi to Rule Them All (11:32) Semi Finals go to Pot (15:17) Slovenia vs. the Televote (25:39) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social. Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Welcome to the PRmoment podcast and on the show today we're chatting to Jim Donaldson about the news that WPP might sell Burson.Previously Jim was CEO UK and Middle East at Fleishman and held senior roles at both Weber Shandwick and Hill & Knowlton. He is now a non-exec to a raft of independent PR firms including Woodrow, Schon&Co and Matlin PR.Before we start, don't miss our new PR Masterclass: AI in PR.Check out the full speaker line-up at  https://www.prmasterclasses.com/masterclass/pr-masterclasses-ai-in-prAt PRmoment we usually let these industry navel gazing moments go, as most of the time, the news has been widely covered elsewhere but I've found the level of paranoid PR commentary linking PR's future to the Burson deal pretty nauseating.I get the need for self appointed PR thought leaders to feed the algorithms but much of the analysis of this potential deal seems ill informed.PRmoment founder Ben Smith put this alternative scenario to ex WPP and Omnicom executive Jim Donaldson about the reasons behind WPP's plans to sell Burson:WPP needs to grow.It still has quite a bit of debt (total net debt £2.17 billion) and its revenue has decreased in recent years. Sources: https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/3530066 and https://www.fidelity.co.uk/factsheet-data/factsheet/JE00B8KF9B49-wpp-plc/financialsCirca 84% of WWP's revenue comes from ad agencies, which it now calls its Global Integrated Agencies. PR is 9%. (including Ogilvy PR and Burson.) https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=1323-17477290-1Q8TEVR2NNFQVT91FOUCPOQ2BFAd agencies' market has been decimated by the social media owners and they are petrified about what AI is likely to do to their business models.None of the WPP board have any PR experience, and frankly, they've got bigger problems right now. https://www.wpp.com/en/about/our-leadership/the-wpp-boardBurson is a potentially salable asset and WPP can then use those funds to invest in the renewal of its main source of revenue - advertsing agencies.Here's a summary of what Jim Donaldson and PRmoment founder Ben Smith discussed:Does Jim agree with our alternative hypothesis to the reasons WPP might sell Burson?Jim identifies the "huge market shifts" impacting the marketing holding groups currently.Was WPP always a reluctant PR firm owner? Many of the deals where Sorrell acquired a PR firm, included a larger ad agency and the PR firm was a much smaller part of the deal.How salable is Burson as an asset? Does it have growing or declining revenues?Jim describes the holding groups as “a side show” to the most important, mainly positive trends happening in PR at the moment.

This week's PR News review covered Donald Trump's foreign policy, the resulting and global chaos before moving on to disucss NASA's Artemis mission for its public relations.Trump's foreign policy rhetoricMark Borkowski and Ben Smith centered on whether Donald Trump's actions were aimed at selling war or peace?Borkowski argued that Trump failed in the propaganda war with Iran by not achieving a clean exit.Global vulnerability, the Axis of chaos and increased defense spendingParticipants discussed the global chaos caused by single figures and the growing vulnerability to modern warfare. Governments need to communicate the necessity of a stronger defense, possibly through increased taxation or fund reallocation away from welfare and health.NASA's Artemis mission PR masterclassNASA's Artemis mission to the moon was praised as a PR masterclass due to its precise choreography and positive global impact. The mission served as a strong beacon of positive human ingenuity and counter-narrative to political chaos.It also served as a "reminder to us all of when America used to have a more positive role in the world."Melania denies Epstein rumoursBorkowski and Smith discuss why Melania Trump felt the need to make a statement denying rumours she had any connection with Epstein, when there were no rumours she had any connection with Epstein!

Ep 121: In Episode 121 of the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben Smith and Curtis Worcester revisit the evolving world of cryptocurrency and digital finance with returning guest Tyler Frederick. Since their last conversation, crypto has moved further into the mainstream with ETFs, institutional adoption, and new innovations like stablecoins and tokenization. Tyler breaks down what's changed, what's coming next, and what retirees should actually pay attention to, without the hype. The episode also explores real-world applications, security risks, and scams, helping listeners understand how this technology may impact their financial lives, even if they never invest in it directly. Chapters: Why Cryptocurrency Matters Today [00:00] Meet Tyler Frederick and His Background in Crypto [02:00] Understanding Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Basics [08:30] How Crypto Has Evolved Since 2021 [14:30] Stablecoins and the Future of Digital Money [16:30] Tokenization and Faster Financial Systems [19:45] Risks, Volatility, and Investing Considerations [14:50] Scams, Security, and Protecting Your Assets [28:30] The Future of Crypto in Everyday Life [41:15] Retirement Success and Final Thoughts [43:45]

Iceland's television broadcaster RUV turns 60 this year and 2026 is also their 40th anniversary of entering Eurovision. We take a look at why it took 20 years for Iceland to join the party, how the country helped push the Contest into a more modern mode, and why they won't be in Vienna this year. Icy Reception Summary History of Iceland Speedrun Any% (4:51) 1986: Iceland Joins Eurovision (19:38) Iceland's First Decade at Eurovision (27:03) Pall Oskar / Paul Oscar (29:30) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social. Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Presenting Sponsor Thirdzy!  https://thirdzy.com/JAZZYPromotion Code for 15% off: JAZZYEveryday we take a break from the busy work day to catch our breath, hang out with friends and talk about the world of Sports, Entertainment and specifically CrossFit. Today we talk about what does Ben Smith have to say, should all cheaters be punished? What is one thing you would change about QF is given the ability to change one and only one thing?

This week, President Trump announced that the end of the Iran war may be in sight, while news outlets report the US is deploying thousands of troops to the Middle East. Then, Democratic governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear hints at a 2028 presidential campaign while making jabs at Vice President JD Vance. And, book publisher Hachette found that a book that they were about to publish was 78% AI-generated. Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss these headlines, and then Clarissa speaks with Ben Smith and Isaac Bledsoe from the American Institute for Boys and Men to discuss the trend that fewer men are going to college. What's to account for the shifting demographics in college attendance? REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE: Getting Men Re-engaged in College by Isaac Bledsoe and Ben Smith CT's education reporting GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Isaac Bledsoe is a senior research assistant at the American Institute of Boys and Men (AIBM) with an interest in transitions to adulthood, as well as fatherhood and family. Isaac was a research assistant at the Urban Institute, supporting a national survey of Early Head Start directors and a study to understand and improve parents' experiences with Georgia's child care subsidy program. Ben Smith is a researcher at AIBM with an interest in male labor market decisions and educational outcomes. He previously worked as a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation where he frequently focused on issues related to labor, employment, and financial decision making. His research provides an in-depth, ethnographic look at the ways some Americans manage day-to-day financial volatility. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Producer: Clarissa Moll Associate Producer: Alexa Burke Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boycotts, jury overhauls, technological shifts, major protests, religious and political violence, hot pants... Ireland had a lot to deal with when it hosted Eurovision for the first time in 1971. All Kinds of Everything Summary Ireland at Eurovision (0:39) The State of Eurovison 1970-1971 (4:33) RTE presenting Eurovision in Color (13:53) Protests and Politics (22:29) Wrapping Up (35:43) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social. Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

This morning we're breaking down the latest news in the ever-unfolding Jeffrey Epstein saga as Bill Clinton testifies about his relationship and involvement. What will be revealed? What has already been confirmed? And what does this mean for the broader web of powerful names connected to this case? And let's be honest, while past presidents are being questioned, many Americans are wondering whether people currently in power (looking at you, Donald Trump) will ever face meaningful scrutiny or accountability for their own connections. Then we pivot to a bombshell media shakeup: Netflix has reportedly backed out of a bid for Warner Bros., clearing a path for Paramount to acquire it. What does that mean for the future of media consolidation? Who controls what we watch and how worried should we be. Joining us to unpack it all is Founding Editor of Mediaite.com Colby Hall along with Semafor's Max Tani and Ben Smith. This episode is sponsored by 120Life. Go to https://120Life.com and use my code DON for 20% off. Try it risk-free for two weeks. If your blood pressure doesn't come down, you get a full refund. This episode is brought to you by Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/donlemon and use code donlemon at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! This episode is sponsored by MSI. Donate today Text LEMON to 511511, or https://MSIUnitedStates.org This episode is sponsored by Wildgrain. Right now, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box - PLUS free Croissants for life - when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/LEMON to start your subscription today. This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at https://SHOPIFY.COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump getting brutally mocked at a major German festival in Düsseldorf and Meiselas interviews Semafor's Ben Smith about Trump's crashing presidency. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've been talking about the Paramount Skydance/Warner Brothers Discovery/Netflix Billionaire Boys Club Spectacular for a few days now. But it's really worth digging into the details to understand how all of this could reshape our media diets – and our politics. If Netflix buys Warner Bros. Discovery, that could be very bad news for Hollywood. But if Paramount buys Warner Bros. Discovery, the Trump-supporting Ellisons would own: CBS, CNN, HBO, Paramount, DC Studios, TNT Sports, Warner Bros., Oracle and a whole bunch more. It's basically a big, complicated mess — so to unpack what it means for consumers and why on earth President Trump is involved, we spoke to Ben Smith. He's co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor, and host of the Mixed Signals podcast.And in headlines, Trump brings his economic message to the American people on the first stop of his affordability tour, the Supreme Court hears arguments over campaign finance limits, and will Americans follow Australia's footsteps and ban social media for children?Show Notes:Check out Mixed Signals – https://tinyurl.com/ycxvkz6fCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.