The PR Hotline

Thea Chippendale
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The PR and marketing world is tough - we’re here to talk about it. The PR Hotline is hosted by Thea, Grace and Maja, who dive into real listener dilemmas from the world of PR, comms, and social. From nightmare clients to creative burnout, no topic is off-limits. Each week, we’re joined by a guest who helps us unpack the issue and share their own honest take. In the second half, they bring a campaign that caught their eye, and together, we explore what made it work and why.

Episodes

  1. The PR Hotline: How to Build Authority as a Freelance PR, Set Boundaries and Earn Respect (Without Changing Who You Are)

    12/12/2025

    The PR Hotline: How to Build Authority as a Freelance PR, Set Boundaries and Earn Respect (Without Changing Who You Are)

    In this episode of The PR Hotline, we’re joined by Saskia Fryer, a freelance PR consultant with a background in journalism, digital PR and traditional PR, to talk honestly about what it’s really like going freelance as a young woman in PR. From being talked over on client calls to feeling pressure to sound “older” or more corporate to be taken seriously, Saskia shares real experiences many PRs will recognise - and the practical ways she’s learning to handle them without changing who she is or burning out trying to prove herself. We discuss: - How to build authority with clients without acting tougher or older than you are - Setting boundaries as a freelancer - including when it’s okay to end a call - Why confidence needs to come before client conversations, especially around pricing - How to be assertive without being aggressive - The importance of community, mentors and shared resources when freelancing - How LinkedIn and TikTok can build credibility and attract better-fit clients This episode is packed with honest advice for freelancers, juniors, and anyone who’s ever felt underestimated in PR -whether you’re already freelance, thinking about making the leap, or simply want to feel more confident in client conversations.

    36 min
  2. The PR Hotline: How to Find Your Voice in PR, Build Authority and Confidently Step into Leadership Roles

    12/05/2025

    The PR Hotline: How to Find Your Voice in PR, Build Authority and Confidently Step into Leadership Roles

    In this episode of The PR Hotline, we’re joined by Saskia, Senior Associate Director of Digital PR & Content at EssenceMediacom North - and she delivers some of the most practical, reassuring career advice we’ve ever had on the show. If you’ve ever struggled with confidence in senior rooms, wondered how to step into leadership without burning out, or felt unsure about how to get taken seriously in a performance-led environment, this conversation is for you. Saskia breaks down: ✨ How to find (and trust) your zone of genius ✨ Why “acting like a leader before you are one” can be harmful - and what to do instead ✨ How to self-promote strategically ✨ The small projects that can help you prove leadership potential without doing the job above you for free ✨ How PR teams can earn their seat at the table by proving cross-channel impact ✨ The power of mentors, sponsors, and building your internal reputation We also dive into the pressure of promotions, imposter syndrome in young PR teams, and why being authentically yourself is often the most underrated leadership tool you have. This is a genuinely value-packed episode, filled with advice you can action immediately, whether you’re aiming for your next promotion or simply trying to feel more confident in the rooms you’re already in.

    44 min
  3. The PR Hotline: Why Digital and Traditional PR Need Each Other - and How to Bridge the Gap with Liv Winstanley

    10/23/2025

    The PR Hotline: Why Digital and Traditional PR Need Each Other - and How to Bridge the Gap with Liv Winstanley

    In this week's episode of The PR Hotline, we tackle a listener’s dilemma about the growing tension between digital and traditional PR team, where one side is chasing link targets and the other is focused on reputation and relationships. Liv Winstanley shares her experience working across both worlds, explaining what each does best, where friction often starts, and how to find that all-important middle ground. We discuss: - The biggest mindset and process differences between digital and traditional PR - Why metrics like “link volume” and “press clippings” don’t tell the whole story - How to communicate overlapping roles and avoid duplicated outreach - The skills digital teams can borrow from traditional PR (and vice versa) - How to build client trust when expectations, and KPIs, clash - Plus: a breakdown of Alix Earle’s Pantene partnership and what it reveals about influencer alignment and brand authenticity If you’ve ever felt the tug-of-war between links and legacy PR, this episode helps you find the balance, and build campaigns that do both.

    38 min
  4. The PR Hotline: Why Digital PR Isn’t a Quick Fix and How to Help Clients See the Bigger Picture with Gabriella Sheerin

    10/14/2025

    The PR Hotline: Why Digital PR Isn’t a Quick Fix and How to Help Clients See the Bigger Picture with Gabriella Sheerin

    In this episode of The PR Hotline, we’re joined by Gaby, founder of Gabriella Lucy PR, to tackle a persistent industry myth: that PR is a quick fix. We unpack a listener’s dilemma about a client pushing for a two-month campaign with eye-watering link targets, and dig into how to reset expectations without losing trust. Gaby shares exactly how she structures the crucial first month, explains why search impact takes time, and offers practical ways to move the conversation from volume to value. We discuss: - Why short bursts rarely deliver long-term visibility (and what to do instead) - How to use Month One for immersion, messaging, and media introductions - Explaining SEO timelines to stakeholders who expect instant results - Switching from static, monthly link targets to flexible, meaningful KPIs - When (and how) to say no to red-flag KPI clauses - Plus: a campaign breakdown of Airbnb’s pop-culture stays, what works, where it’s fatiguing, and why integrated execution matters If you’ve ever had to push back on “100 links in two months,” this episode gives you the language, the process, and the confidence to make PR work the way it should.

    39 min
  5. The PR Hotline: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Thrive in Your PR Career with Amy Irvine

    06/17/2025

    The PR Hotline: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Thrive in Your PR Career with Amy Irvine

    In this episode of The PR Hotline, we’re joined by Amy Irvine, Digital PR Director at Digitaloft, to explore one of the most common early-career challenges in PR: imposter syndrome. We unpack a listener's dilemma about feeling completely out of their depth after transitioning into PR, surrounded by experienced colleagues and overwhelmed by self-doubt. Amy shares how she navigated those same feelings in her own career and offers practical advice for juniors struggling to find their confidence in a fast-paced, high-visibility industry. We discuss: • Why imposter syndrome is so prevalent in digital PR • The power of asking questions and building a success log • How managers and agencies can better support junior staff • The importance of reframing discomfort as growth • Plus, a campaign breakdown of “The World’s Most Uncomfortable Underwear” – and why great ideas still need great execution If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong in PR, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and ready to push through.

    35 min
  6. The PR Hotline: What Should You Do After Being Made Redundant In An Agency with Maja Adam

    06/10/2025

    The PR Hotline: What Should You Do After Being Made Redundant In An Agency with Maja Adam

    Redundancy is one of the most emotionally complex experiences in agency life - and yet it’s something we barely talk about. In this episode, Thea and Grace are joined by Maja Adam, who shares what it’s really like to be made redundant from a London agency, from the first wave of shame and confusion to the unexpected clarity it can bring. Together, we explore why redundancies are becoming more common in PR, how to prepare yourself (even if it never happens), and what Maja wishes she’d done differently in her final few weeks, including why she now tells others to be just a little more selfish. We also talk about the practical and emotional challenges of job hunting, protecting your mental health while facing rejection, and how to rebuild your routine, confidence, and career path after a professional plot twist. 📌 Resources for anyone going through what we've talked about in this episode: UK: - ⁠ACAS – Redundancy Advice⁠ - ⁠Citizens Advice⁠ - ⁠Gov.uk – Redundancy Pay Calculator⁠ US: - ⁠Department of Labor⁠ - ⁠Unemployment Benefits by State⁠ Australia: - ⁠Fair Work Ombudsman ⁠ - ⁠Services Australia – Looking for Work⁠ - ⁠Lifeline Australia: Free mental health and crisis su⁠pport

    30 min
  7. The PR Hotline: How to Spot Toxic Culture in PR and Create Safer, Healthier Workplaces with Amelia Evans

    05/27/2025

    The PR Hotline: How to Spot Toxic Culture in PR and Create Safer, Healthier Workplaces with Amelia Evans

    ⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment in the workplace. Please listen with care. Toxic behaviour in agency life is still far too common, and when it comes from someone in a position of power, it often goes unchecked. In this episode, Thea and Maja are joined by PR expert and freelancer Amelia Evans to have an open, honest conversation about the realities of bullying, harassment, and power dynamics in the workplace. Together, we discuss why PR culture can sometimes enable harmful behaviour, how fast-paced environments contribute to pressure and burnout, and why it can feel so difficult to speak up, especially when there’s no HR team to turn to. Amelia also shares her own experience of calling out inappropriate behaviour from a senior figure, what gave her the confidence to do it, and the protections that are available for those who might feel powerless. We also talk about what real people-first culture looks like (beyond pizza Fridays and fruit bowls), the red flags you should look out for when joining a new agency, and how we can all play a part in making the industry safer and more supportive. Links to resources we talked about in this episode ⁠ACAS⁠ https://www.acas.org.uk/advice ⁠Nugget⁠ https://www.nuggetsavings.com/ ⁠Rights of Women⁠ https://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/sexual-harassment-at-work-information/ ⁠Lauren Spearman https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenspearman/

    29 min
  8. The PR Hotline: How to Master Switching Between Sectors Without Burning Out in PR with Charlotte McManus

    05/20/2025

    The PR Hotline: How to Master Switching Between Sectors Without Burning Out in PR with Charlotte McManus

    Struggling to juggle multiple PR clients at once? In this episode of The PR Hotline, we’re joined by Charlotte McManus, Digital PR Strategist at Digital Loft, to explore how to balance several clients across completely different sectors - without sacrificing creativity, strategy, or your sanity. Charlotte shares expert tips on: - How to switch between industries without losing momentum - Daily habits and tools for better time management in PR - How to handle “needy” clients without neglecting others - Avoiding campaign fatigue and keeping ideas fresh - What junior PRs should do when they’re new to a sector We also deep-dive into a standout digital PR campaign: Harley Street Skin Clinic’s How Much Is Your Job Ageing You? calculator. Charlotte explains why it’s so successful, how it drives coverage and SEO value, and what you can learn from it to improve your own PR strategy. Whether you’re an exec, manager or freelancer, this episode is packed with real talk and practical advice for anyone working in digital PR or agency life. 00:00 Introduction to Digital PR and Agency Life 04:59 Navigating Multiple Clients and Industries 10:03 Client Management and Communication Strategies 14:52 Time Management and Team Collaboration 20:09 Creativity in Campaign Development 24:53 Client Management Systems and Habits 26:02 Strengthening Skills Across Industries 31:02 Analysing the Harley Street Skin Clinic Campaign 40:16 Key Takeaways from the Campaign

    34 min
  9. The PR Hotline: How To Stay Positive and Protect Your Wellbeing When PR Never Switches Off with Kirsty-Elise Noonan

    05/13/2025

    The PR Hotline: How To Stay Positive and Protect Your Wellbeing When PR Never Switches Off with Kirsty-Elise Noonan

    Welcome to the first episode of The PR Hotline podcast. This week, we're joined by Kirsty Elise Noonan, a freelance PR consultant and founder of the Happy News Series on LinkedIn. Kirsty delves deep into the emotional challenges of staying constantly reactive in a fast-paced PR environment, sharing practical tips on protecting mental health. She also sheds light on a unique and impactful PR campaign: the Unburnable Book by Penguin Random House. You can view this campaign here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpsMsAMY4eM Tune in to explore how to handle the negative news cycle while maintaining a positive outlook and strong client relationships. 00:00 Introduction to PR Hotline Podcast 00:24 Meet Kirsty Elise Noonan 00:50 The Pressure of Staying On Top of Trends 03:44 Balancing Mental Health and PR Work 10:07 The Happy News Series 26:08 Campaign Spotlight: The Unburnable Book 34:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    35 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The PR and marketing world is tough - we’re here to talk about it. The PR Hotline is hosted by Thea, Grace and Maja, who dive into real listener dilemmas from the world of PR, comms, and social. From nightmare clients to creative burnout, no topic is off-limits. Each week, we’re joined by a guest who helps us unpack the issue and share their own honest take. In the second half, they bring a campaign that caught their eye, and together, we explore what made it work and why.

Information

  • Creator
    Thea Chippendale
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Show Website
    The PR Hotline