We started the podcast back in December 2022 and have since launched three seasons; two featuring conversations with guests and friends from the Digital PR industry and another comprising of 11 mini-episodes with some of our PR team sharing their knowledge and experiences. You can find all the episodes below – do have a listen if you missed any or read on to find out more about the hosts, Lou and Steve.
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Latest episode:
The Perfect Pitch with Maddie Davies
Maddie and Steve delve into the intricacies of crafting effective pitch emails, discussing why they are crucial in securing media coverage, and how they differ from traditional press releases.
Seasons 1 & 2
Creativity with Mark Rofe
Digital PR expert, Mark Rofe is known for his creative and unconventional campaigns. He shared his insights on creativity in the digital PR industry, emphasising the importance of solving problems in a fun and playful way and highlighted some of his favourite campaigns, such as the Duolingo tattoo translation service and the German rail network's Doppelganger Destinations campaign.
Listen to Mark's episode now Reactive PR with Sophie Rhone
We chat all things reactive PR and newsjacking with experienced digital PR specialist, Sophie Rhone. The episode covers off the importance of putting clients at the centre of conversations and reaching a larger audience through timely and relevant content - and lots more!
Listen to Sophie's episode now Agency Culture with Luke Cope
Luke Cope, co-founder of Bottled Imagination, shared insights into how he approaches company culture as a start-up agency, emphasising the importance of creating a culture based on values and employee input rather than just superficial perks like ping pong tables. The episode covers off changing expectations and a shift towards work-life balance and individualised motivation strategies for employees.
Listen to Luke's episode now Relevancy with Gisele Navarro
We chatted with Gisele Navarro, co-founder of Neomam, renowned for exceptional hero content, delving into relevancy and how it's evolved over the years, relating to link building and content creation. We covered off the challenges of defining relevance, especially when it comes to balancing SEO needs with brand messaging and so much more.
Listen to Gisele's episode now New Business with Mark Perkins
The incredibly experienced Mark Perkins shares his insights on the evolving landscape of digital PR, focused on new business pitching, including what makes a successful pitch. We spoke about ideas being crucial but not the sole factor in winning a client - and loads more!
Listen to Mark's episode now Strategy with Sophie Coley
We spoke to Propellernet's Director of Strategy, Sophie Coley, about digital PR strategy, exploring what constitutes a PR strategy and highlighting the importance of understanding the "why" behind our actions. Plus lots more!
Listen to Sophie's episode now Digital PR in the US with Bri Godwin Huyke
Bri Godwin Huyke talks us through digital PR in the US and how many clients lack a foundational understanding of its benefits. We touch on the differences in pitching styles between US and UK journalists and lots more!
Listen to Bri's episode now A Client's Perspective with Amy Smithers
Amy Smithers, Head of Communications at GetAgent, shares her extensive background in journalism & digital PR, particularly within the property sector, and explains her transition from agency to in-house roles.
Listen to Amy's episode now Crisis Comms with Andy Barr
Andy Barr, CEO of 10 Yetis Digital, shares his insights on digital PR, crisis communications and the evolution of the field, including the importance of links and SEO in modern PR strategies. There's practical advice on handling PR crises and so much more!
Listen to Andy's episode now Freelancing with Isa Lavahun
Isa Lavahun, seasoned freelance search strategist, shares her journey from working at Propellernet to becoming a freelancer, highlighting the pros and cons of each role she has taken on, including her experiences in both agency and client-side positions.
Listen to Isa's episode now RTO or WFH? With Mary Hickey and Rich Leigh
We're joined by Mary Hickey, Senior Digital PR Manager at North and Rich Leigh, Founder and CEO of Radioactive PR. The episode dives into the ongoing debate about remote work versus in-office work, particularly in the context of the post-pandemic world. Throughout the episode, we explore the pros and cons of different working arrangements, the impact on creativity and collaboration, and the challenges of retaining talent in a competitive market.
Listen to the episode now Journalists with Katie-Ann Gupwell
Katie-Anne shares her journey from Wales Online to The Daily Star, where she covers a diverse range of topics including health, beauty, fashion, and real-life stories. Hear about Katie-Anne’s typical working day, her shift patterns, story pitching processes and tips for PRs.
Listen to Katie's episode nowMinisodes
Twitter with Abi Bennetts
Lou catches up with Digital PR Director at Propellernet, Abi Bennetts. They discuss the pros and cons of using Twitter or X for Digital PR, building your personal brand and tips and advice for using the platform in your day-to-day.
Listen to Abi's minisode now AI with Raquel Pinto
Lou grabs a quick chat with Propellernet's resident AI whizz, Digital PR Executive Raquel Pinto. Raquel uses AI throughout her work practices, from planning to campaign ideation, and is a huge advocate for AI experimentation across her various social media channels. If you're looking for some great AI insights, you've found the right place.
Listen to Raquel's minisode now Finding Your Niche with Maddie Davies
Steve is joined by Digital PR Director Maddie Davies, for a chat about how tapping into your client's niche can give a fresh perspective on current events, awareness days, pop culture and seasonality. They cover off finding an in for your client to get their voice heard above the noise, especially if their offering is seemingly unrelated.
Listen to Maddie's minisode now Ideas with Richard Paul
Steve is joined by Richard Paul, Propellernet's PR Creative Director. This time it's all about ideas, with conversation topics including creative campaigns, how to overcome an ideas block, and what Richard does in the shower that Steve does in the car....
Listen to Richard's minisode now Back To Basics with Stephanie Finch
We're taking it all the way back to basics with the age old question- what is Digital PR? We call on Digital PR Director Steph Finch, who has been in the game since link building was even called link building. Hailing from a totally digital background, and bringing over 10 years of experience to the table, Steph talks about what advice she'd give to people wanting to enter the industry, her favourite campaigns, and why she doesn't actually like the term 'Digital PR'.
Listen to Steph's minisode now Digital PR Personalities and Managing Mental Health with Abi Bennetts & Richard Paul
Digital PR Director, Abi Bennetts and PR Creative Director, Richard Paul have a bumper conversation about PR personalities and managing your mental health. They delve into burnout red flags, conscientiousness and why sometimes, the best thing to do to protect your mental health at work is to walk away. Enjoy!
Listen to the minisode now Team-first culture in a remote-first world with Alessandra Carriban
Steve is joined by Digital PR Manager Alessandra Carriban, to talk about all of the ways in which the Propellernet PR team, and the agency at large, keep team momentum up when many of us are apart.
Listen to Alessandra's minisode now Client red & green flags with Stephanie Finch
What makes the perfect client relationship? Steve sits down with Digital PR Director and industry veteran Stephanie Finch, who’s put together a list of client red and green flags to look out for. We also talk They talk early signs of a good client, behavioural patterns and breaking down how the PR world has changed over her many years in the industry.
Listen to Steph's minisode now Digital PR in Germany with Lena Thees
Steve chats to Lena Thees, a Senior Digital PR Executive at Propellernet who specialises in the German market. Lena shares insights into the differences between the German and UK media landscapes, highlighting the formality and longer lead times in Germany and loads more.
Listen to Lena's minisode now Wonky career paths with Chloe Tickner
Not everyone in Digital PR has a traditional or linear career path. But will that set you back in the short, medium or long term? Steve chews this over with Chloe, covering off her intriguing career journey. They discuss the benefits of having a varied career path, including the ability to bring a unique perspective to client work - and loads more.
Listen to Chloe's minisode now The Perfect Pitch with Maddie Davies
Maddie and Steve delve into the intricacies of crafting effective pitch emails, discussing why they are crucial in securing media coverage, and how they differ from traditional press releases.
Listen to Maddie's minisode nowMeet the Hosts
Louise Parker
Louise has been back with us at Propellernet since August 2021 – we say back with us because she also had a four-and-a-bit year stint which started in 2018! She heads up the PR team and hosts the podcast alongside Steve.
Steve Baker
Steve is one of Propellernet’s long-timers, having joined us in November 2011. Fun fact: he also commentates for Brighton and Hove Albion so if you really enjoy his dulcet tones on the podcast, you can hear more on the club’s social channels. Alternatively, you can imagine him voicing his answers to some questions we put to him and Lou, below…
[Q]: What’s your favourite thing about doing the podcast?
[S]: “I honestly love every aspect of it but I refuse to give a sit on the fence answer so i’m going to say, meeting lots of interesting people from our industry and beyond.
“When me and Lou first discussed the podcast, one of the many things that motivated us was actually getting to chat to people that we admire and picking their brains on the state of the industry.
“I meet people from our industry briefly at events and awards dos but it’s a genuine privilege to get to sit with them for an hour or so and have their undivided attention and insight.”
[L]: “I agree – it’s definitely meeting the different guests – me and Steve invite on people we admire and who are doing really interesting work (or have very interesting opinions!) and getting to pick their brains is fascinating.”
[Q]: What’s your least favourite thing about doing the podcast?
[S]: “Absolutely no doubt in my mind that it’s the editing process.
We have a wonderful producer who makes things easy but we still have to edit and by the third listen, I am so bored of my own (and Lou’s) voice that it’s painful.
It’s a bit like when you stare at a word for long enough and it ceases to have any meaning at all.”
[L]: “For me it’s the technical issues. To be fair, we have an amazing podcast technician who runs things very smoothly but on the odd occasion there is a mic issue or something it can be a bit painful! Steve has to do a lot of ad-libbing…”
[Q]: What’s been your favourite episode so far?
[S]: “That’s akin to asking me who my favourite child is! Thinking about it, it’s not remotely like that and is a very reasonable question.
“I honestly don’t have an out and out favourite but, again, to avoid sitting on the fence, I’ll say Isa Lavahun. We used to work with her so not only was it lovely to see her again, it was incredibly intriguing to learn about her career path and the freelance world. I don’t have any experience of that so I learnt a lot.”
[Q]: What have you learned from doing the podcast?
[L]: “I’ve really stared to appreciate our industry more – digital pr is booming at the moment and with it, a lovely community has blossomed. So from the guests giving up their time to be on, to anyone that listens and comments and shares the pod, it’s lovely to see the support from all our fellow digital PRs.”
[Q] And what what do you make of being called the ‘Kirsty and Phil’ of digital PR?!
[S]: “On the one hand i’m absolutely crushed by this because Kirsty and Phil don’t seem particularly cool or cutting edge but, on the other, they’re incredibly successful broadcasters who have done 40 series together.
“If me and Lou do 40 seasons of the podcast then we’ll be doing something right (or wrong, dependent on your point of view).”
[L]: “Hahaha I love that! Watch this space for our TV debut!”