The Grayling Media Podcast dives into the forces reshaping modern communications, from crisis management and AI to DEI, leadership and more, all through the lens of todayās fast-moving media world.
Each episode features insider perspectives from journalists, influencers and industry leaders on what really makes a story land, how reputations are built or broken, and why the rules of engagement keep shifting.
With newsrooms embracing AI, audiences demanding authentic representation, and interviews now spanning broadcast, digital, podcasts and social platforms, the pressure on leaders and communi
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In this episode of the Grayling Media Podcast, Heather Blundell, UK CEO at Grayling, is joined by Orianna Rosa Royle, Associate Editor at Fortune and one of the publication's most-read journalists.
Drawing on years of interviewing some of the world's most influential CEOs and founders, Orianna shares what she's learned about leadership, careers and the changing world of work. She also reflects on her own journey from experiencing homelessness while at university to building an award-winning career in journalism.
Together, they discuss:
Why attitude often matters more than credentials
What the world's top CEOs have in common
AI's impact on careers and entry-level talent
The biggest communication mistakes leaders make
What authentic leadership really looks like
Why hard work still matters in a changing workplace
Whether you're leading a team, building your career or thinking about the future of work, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest reflections.
Beyond the Ballot Box with More in Common
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 ā¢ Duration 01:01
Wales has just delivered one of its most seismic electoral results in a generation ā and the implications stretch far beyond the Senedd.
In this special election episode of ā The Grayling Media Podcastā , host SiĆ¢n Jones, Director of Grayling Cymru, is joined by Louis OāGeran, Senior Associate at More in Common, and Stewart Owadally, Campaigns and PoliticsDirector at Grayling, to deliver a sharp, unfiltered verdict on the Welsh election result.
They cover the scale of Labour's defeat, the rise of Reform and what it tells us about shifting voter sentiment, Plaid Cymru's path to government, and what it all means for businesses and organisations that need to engage with a completely new Senedd.
Whether you work in public affairs, communications, or simply want to understand what this result means for the future of Wales and UK politics, this is essential listening.
Want to understand what the new Senedd landscape means for your organisation? Get in touch with Grayling's Public Affairs and Wales teams to find out how we can help younavigate what comes next: publicaffairs@grayling.com / cardiff@grayling.com.
If you would like to hear more from Louis and the team, you can catch them on the brand new podcast from More in Common on The Opinion Brief Podcast.
Episode 25: Inside Regional Media with Rob Parsons & Alex Turner
Season 1 Ā· Episode 25
Friday, October 31, 2025 ā¢ Duration 46:44
Graylingās latest podcast dives into the regional media findings of ourĀ Truth, Trust and Tribes in a NewĀ Media AgeĀ report, producedĀ in partnership with More In Common.
Join panellists Rob Parsons (Executive Editor forLocal Democracy Reporting Service at Reach Plc), Alex Turner (Joint Managing Director of The Business Desk) and Katie Eborall (Director and Head of North at Grayling) as they unpack how local journalism is evolving, whatās driving regional newsroom priorities, and why comms professionals need to rethink their approach to media engagement outside the M25.
Download the Truth, Trust and Tribes in a New Media Age Report.
Episode 24: Sam McAlister on Truth, Trust and Tribes in a New Media Age
Season 1 Ā· Episode 24
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 ā¢ Duration 30:13
Is truth losing its appeal?
Building on our inaugural 2024 report, Graylingās 2025 edition ā Truth, Trust and Tribes in a New Media Age ā delves deeper into how power, politics, and Britainās evolving relationship with truth are reshaping todayās media landscape.
Grayling's UK CEO Heather Blundell joins Sam McAlister ā former Newsnight producer behind the Prince Andrew interview and author of Scoops ā for a sharp discussion on power, media, and Britainās shifting relationship with truth.
Together, they unpack the UKās crisis of truth, where only a third of people say they believe in objective facts, and explore how trust, technology, and tribalism are redefining how we seek and share news.
In partnership with More in Common, we surveyed 2,000 people across Britain to uncover new insights into how audiences find trustworthy information, interpret truth, and engage with media.
š Read the full report here.
[DefuseĀ® Podcast] When Crisis Hits: The Real Cost of Getting Reputation Wrong
Thursday, June 26, 2025 ā¢ Duration 57:37
Heather Blundell (CEO, Grayling UK) and James Clothier (Head of Crisis, Grayling UK) joined Phillip Grindell to discuss how reputation management has become essential protection.
Key insights: Most crisis failures stem from human behaviour under pressure, not poor messaging. Female executives face different reputation attacks requiring specific strategies. Social media breaks stories before traditional media responds. Video responses are replacing written statements as authenticity matters more than polish.
Heather revealed that proactive reputation management creates a competitive advantage, not just damage limitation. The conversation covers timing challenges, the importance of an external perspective, and why lawyers often make statements worse by stripping out emotion. They discuss how social media has transformed crisis response - young people get news from Snapchat, stories break on Twitter first, and video content is becoming essential.
The practical advice focuses on being honest, letting the light in, and demonstrating genuine change rather than just promising to "learn lessons."
Heather Blundellās Biography:Ā
Heather is the award-winning UK CEO of Grayling, a global PR firm,Ā responsible for 200 employees across nine offices.Ā
She has spent more than 16 years as a trusted adviser to some of the world's largest companies and prominent CEOs, guiding them through periods of significant change, disruption, and complex reputation and crisis issues.
Heather is also a regular media commentator in the national media.
James Clothier
James is Head of Crisis at Grayling UK, responsible for leading the crisis and reputation practice, alongside the firm's corporate division.Ā
Before joining Grayling, James spent two decades in senior editorial positions at The Sun and the Daily Mail.
Phillip Grindell Biography:
Philip Grindell MSc CSyP
Philip is the founder & CEO of DefuseĀ®
Philip has become one of the UKās most trusted leaders & advisors when it comes to fixated persons & threats to prominent people.Ā
Philip served as a senior Scotland Yard Detective for the Metropolitan Police for almost 30 years in specialist roles, including time spent seconded to British Intelligence on counter-terrorist investigations.Ā
Philip set & ran the Parliamentary Liaison & Investigation Team (PLaIT). The team responsible for the protection of politicians in the UK Parliament.
Philip has a MSc in Security Management and is a Chartered Security Professional
https://www.linkedin.com/in/specialists-in-protecting-prominent-people-and-brands-from-targeted-threats/Subscribe to 'Defuse News', for their weekly update of the week's events on theirĀ website.
Episode 23: Social Media, Online Safety and the Next Generation
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 ā¢ Duration 34:20
In this episode of the Grayling Media podcast, we explore one of the most pressing and complex issues facing Britain today: the impact of smartphones and social media on younger generations ā particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Host Tanya Joseph is joined by Anna McShane, Director and Founder of The New Britain Project, and Neil Kleiner, Managing Director of social-first agency Movement, to unpack new research findings, shifting public attitudes, and the evolving responsibilities of governments, brands, and parents alike.
Together, they discuss:
- Key insights from the New Britain Project's latest report on online safety
- How brands are adapting to ethical and empowering content creation
- The role of regulation vs. personal and parental responsibility.
Whether you're a policymaker, parent, educator, marketer, or simply someone navigating the digital age, this conversation offers valuable insights on shaping a safer, healthier onlineworld.
š Access the full report here: https://www.newbritain.org.uk/social-media
š§ Listen and subscribe for more expert perspectives.
Episode 22: Spring Statement 2025
Friday, March 28, 2025 ā¢ Duration 22:26
š§NEW EPISODE: Listen to Grayling's sharp analysis of the Spring Statement with a brilliant line-up of political and economic experts.Ā
Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor of The Times, and Grayling's Senior Advisers, John Lehal and Tanya Joseph, debate the impact and significance of the statement, and what it means for the country - including the challenges aheadamidst continued economic uncertainty.Ā
Catch it here!
Episode 21: International Women's Day: Lucie Cave & Rebecca Holman
Monday, March 10, 2025 ā¢ Duration 25:58
Did you know that at the current rate, women wonāt reach pay parity with men until 2158? Or that 40% of countries have seen gender equality stagnate or even reverse since 2018? The truth is, weāre far from achieving true gender equality, and in some ways, we're moving backwards.
Join Lucie Cave, Chief Creative Officer at Bauer Media and Entertainment Editor at ITV, Rebecca Holman, Digital Director at Grazia, and Heather Blundell, UK CEO of Grayling, as they discuss the growing backlash against DE&I initiatives, the urgent need for businesses to rethink their approach to diversity, and why having the right voices in the room isnāt just a moral imperative, itās key to long-term business success.
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Grayling UK Showreel
Friday, February 14, 2025 ā¢ Duration 01:38
Welcome to Grayling UK. We are the most integrated, networked agency in the UK, where diversity of thought is embedded in everything we do.
Episode 20: Harry Wallop & Lucy Siegle: The New Media Era in 2025
Episode 20
Thursday, January 30, 2025 ā¢ Duration 28:59
Kicking off 2025, Grayling has unveiled its 2025 trendsreport: Creating Advantage in an Uncertain World, featuring insights from business leaders.
In the first Vantage Point podcast of the year, Lucy Siegle, leading environmental journalist and Harry Wallop, award-winning consumer journalist join Heather Blundell, Grayling UK CEO to discuss key themes from the report.
They dive into the shifting media landscape, share top tips for building an authentic brand, explore how consumers will shape business decisions, and reveal their hopes and priorities for the year ahead.Download the full report here.
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