This week on BBC Radio4's When It Hits The Fan: @davidyelland.bsky.social & I discuss: 📱Hunter Biden's comeback & radical honesty effect on a damaged brand 🚀Storytelling battle behind SpaceX & the AI IPO race 🧸And why Elmo discovered that trying to please everyone can sometimes backfire

In all my 28 years working across comms and entrepreneurship, I have learned that some of the most interesting conversations happen when there is no agenda. That's the idea behind #TheBaduelBrief, a new salon series bringing together leaders from business, media, and comms.

Just back from Istanbul and the 3rd Global Islamic Economy Summit I moderated a panel with @goyucel.bsky.social on Islamic finance. This sector has a strong story, the challenge is making it land with people outside the immediate community Wonderful to share the room with leaders and old friends

This week, I share a few thoughts on M-shaped talent, London's reputation challenge, communicating complexity, and three stories from BBC Radio 4's When It Hits The Fan. Link in comments. Have a read, and subscribe if you like what you see.

This week’s Baduel Brief is out 🗞️ I share stories from BBC Radio 4’s When It Hits the Fan including my weekly musings in the link below 👇 Would love to hear your thoughts 🤔 www.linkedin.com/pulse/connec...

This week in @cipr.co.uk : 1 Minute 👇 🥳 Celebrating Volunteers’ Week and recognising the people who help keep the CIPR thriving 🏛️ An update on lobbying reform 🎖️ CIPR Fellowship nominations are open Watch the full video. Links in comments

In Istanbul this week for the 3rd AlBaraka Forum. Looking forward to chairing a discussion with Dr Gökhan Yücel on how media narratives shape perceptions of Islamic finance, and why trust remains one of the sector’s most important communications challenges.

I'm in Istanbul this week, so the brilliant @laurenbeeching.bsky.social joins @davidyelland.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's When It Hits the Fan. 🛢️ BP's chairman sacking and the PR war that followed 📱 Why companies now hire comms advisers to manage redundancies 📺 Rebekah Vardy's reality TV comeback

This morning's briefing from @thehalotrust.bsky.social offered valuable insight into its work to make Sri Lanka mine-free and the long-term process of rebuilding communities after conflict. Thank you to Chef Karan Gokani and the Hoppers London team for hosting. More on HALO's work below 👇

Does AI have a PR problem or does PR have an AI problem? I share a few observations in my latest newsletter. Link in comments. Have a read, and subscribe if you like what you see.

A pleasure to attend India Week, organised by EPG London, and hear Sir Vince Cable discuss his book Eclipsing the West The conversation focused on India's growing role in a changing global order and the broader geopolitical shifts that are reshaping the decades ahead.

This week on When It Hits The Fan, @davidyelland.bsky.social and I look at the CEO who described his staff as "lower value human capital," questions about the late Queen, and what the Gemma Collins campaign tells us about influencer PR. 🎧 Now on BBC Sounds, Spotify and Apple via comments.

In last week’s Baduel Brief, I share stories from BBC Radio 4’s When It Hits the Fan, alongside news about @podcastshowldn.bsky.social, and a nice old school PR dinner with @cipr.co.uk & @lewissilkin.bsky.social Have a read and subscribe if you like what you see. open.substack.com/pub/farzanab...

In his latest piece for @einpresswire.bsky.social, Curzon’s David Olajide explores why the future of media relations is no longer just about coverage but trust. As AI increases the volume of content online, trust becomes harder to earn and easier to lose. Link in comments.

In this week’s When It Hits the Fan, @davidyelland.bsky.social and I discuss the politics of height From Trump and Xi to camera angles, we discuss how image management still shapes perceptions of power at the highest levels Now on BBC Sounds, Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🎧 Link in comments

This week in @cipr.co.uk : 1 Minute 👇 🏛️ Lobbying reform and Baroness Hayter’s Private Members’ Bill ⚠️ New report: Reputation, Risk and Resilience 🎖️ Reflections from our Past Presidents Lunch 🗳️ Final call: President, Board and Council applications close 5pm today Links in comments.

First time at @podcastshowldn.bsky.social yesterday and the energy around the industry was palpable Joined Molly DeMellier and @achangeoftune.bsky.social to discuss how PR helps podcasts become cultural moments and why long-form interviews create different reputation risks from traditional media

In this week’s When It Hits the Fan, @davidyelland.bsky.social and I discuss Pippa Middleton’s very public planning dispute and why local WhatsApp groups may now matter more than press releases. Now available on BBC Sounds, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 🎧 Links in comments.

Old school PR at its best. IRL. 🍽️ Last night’s @cipr.co.uk Corporate Executive Dinner with @lewissilkin.bsky.social explored soft power and why more communicators need geopolitical fluency Good conversation. Good people. My kind of evening. More on Corporate Affiliates in comments.

This week on BBC Radio 4's When It Hits The Fan, @davidyelland.bsky.social and I look at the Swatch x AP launch that sparked chaos worldwide, Pippa Middleton's dispute with the Ramblers, and the optics of power between Trump and Xi. 🎧Now on BBC Sounds, Spotify and Apple. Link in comments.

Delighted that @curzonpr.bsky.social is partnering with @iwmi.bsky.social, a leading authority on water systems A UN-backed report earlier this year warned the world has entered an era of 'water bankruptcy' Yet water receives far less public attention That is the gap strategic comms helps close.

Last week on When It Hits the Fan, @davidyelland.bsky.social and I talked about why Pope Leo's Nike trainers became a big story, and why human stories resonate with the public. What stories do you think we will be unpacking this week? 🎧 Link in comments.

Last week in The Baduel Brief, I shared stories from BBC Radio 4’s When It Hits the Fan, alongside news shaping the world of PR and communications. Have a read, and subscribe if you like what you see. open.substack.com/pub/farzanab...

@cipr.co.uk nominations close this Friday. If you’re considering President-Elect, Board or Council, this is your reminder. You don’t need to have everything figured out before stepping forward. The profession needs different voices around the table. See link in comments.

Nominations are now open for the 2027 President-Elect, Board of Directors, and Council. Those elected will shape how the CIPR responds to the issues defining public relations today, including advocacy, ethics, professionalism, and more. Learn more: bit.ly/4ddAWRS

This week in @cipr.co.uk: 1 Minute 👇 🔊 New Engage podcast, worth 5 CPD points 🗳️ One week left to apply for President-Elect, Board or Council 📝 Professional Standards opportunities now open Watch the full video. Links in comments.

Yesterday, @cipr.co.uk Past Presidents gathered for lunch at the RAC for the first time in 20 years, since Lionel Zetter hosted a similar event during his presidency. An important opportunity to reflect on leadership and the role volunteers play in strengthening our profession.

I’ll be speaking at @podcastshowldn.bsky.social next week on how publicity shapes podcast growth and influence. Looking forward to the conversation with Molly DeMellier and Joni Deutsch. 📅 May 20, 2:50 PM 📍 BDC, Islington Do say hello if attending.

This week on BBC Radio 4's When It Hits the Fan, @davidyelland.bsky.social and I look at resignation pressure, the Pfizer CEO on AI, and Pope Leo’s very human PR moment. 🎧 Now on BBC Sounds, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Link in comments.

Last week @davidyelland.bsky.social and I unpacked the King’s speech to Congress and the careful communications behind it. Then this cartoon from the very talented Neil Kerber landed in my inbox and made me smile. Link in comments if you missed it. New episode today at 4 pm on BBC Radio 4.

Delighted that @curzonpr.bsky.social is working with Sir Vince Cable on the comms campaign for Eclipsing the West, his latest book on the rise of China and India and the implications for the global order. Named one of the @financialtimes.com's Best Books of 2025 in Economics. Link in comments 👇

Just started my new weekly LinkedIn newsletter! Every Friday, I’ll be sharing stories from the hit @bbc.co.uk.web.brid.gy Radio 4 podcast When It Hits the Fan, along with news from the world of PR. Have a read and subscribe if you like what you see. www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-k...

Elections remind us how closely business, politics and public trust are connected. Earlier this year, I joined the Business and Democracy Commission launch panel to discuss the growing political pressures facing organisations. Full recording in comments.

This week in @cipr.co.uk : 1 Minute 👇 📄 Easy Wins, Empty Gains on lobbying reform 🎖️ Congratulations to our newest Fellows ✍️ Welcome to the new Influence Editorial Board members Watch the full video. Links in comments.

Country branding is not just about promotion. It is about credibility. This week I joined @cipr.co.uk International to discuss how nations shape, defend and reposition their narratives. Full discussion and further reading in comments.

This week on BBC Radio 4's When It Hits The Fan, @davidyelland.bsky.social and I go behind the scenes of King Charles' state visit to Washington. His speeches drew standing ovations, but the real story is the team, discipline and planning behind them. Links in comments

"If you could boil down your PR career into one bumper sticker, what would it be?" - @davidyelland.bsky.social My answer: Keep your distance. Don't get pulled into the emotion of the moment. New When It Hits The Fan podcast episode is now live. 🎧 Link in comments.

Updates in this week's @cipr.co.uk: 1 Minute 👇 🗳️ Nominations now open (President-Elect, Board, Council) 🎓 Welcome to our new Chair of Examiners 🏆 Excellence Awards shortlist announced Watch the full video. Links for more info in comments.

Farzana Baduel joins BBC Radio 4’s When It Hits The Fan www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...

In this week’s episode of BBC Radio4's When It Hits the Fan podcast, @davidyelland.bsky.social and I discuss: * FBI crisis communications * Michael Jackson’s legacy PR * Tim Cook’s Apple exit 🎧 Link in comments

Delighted to be joining @davidyelland.bsky.social as co-host of BBC Radio 4’s When It Hits the Fan. I’ve listened since it launched. To now be part of it, and the BBC Radio 4 family, is a privilege. Each week, we will be unpacking the biggest media crises and controversies. 🔗 Link in comments.

Q1 at Curzon: From Davos to global policy forums, we contributed to conversations shaping business, trade and reputation. A quarter defined by: ⬜Global engagement ⬜ Partnerships ⬜ Sustained growth 👇🏾

Last night at the inaugural CIPR Midlands Awards in Birmingham. A clear reflection of the strength of the PR community in the region. Congratulations to all the winners.

In this week’s @cipr.co.uk ‘1-Minute’ 👇 🎥 First Quarterly Progress Livestream (30 April) with Dan Gerrella 🎤 2026 Annual Conference launch 🏛️ New research on support for tougher lobbying rules 📊 Final call: State of the Profession 2026 Watch full video. Links in comments.

Last night I attended the launch of John R. Childress' Culture 4.0. Childress argues that culture is no longer a soft consideration. It sits at the centre of organisational resilience and deserves the same rigour as finance, operations and risk. Looking forward to reading my autographed copy.

Earlier this week, I attended the launch of Texas’s new trade office in London. For the UK, this signals deeper capital flows and stronger commercial ties. "Watch out, Wall Street, Y'all Street is here."

Strong communications is not just about messaging. It is about alignment with the business. In this week's episode of Stories and Strategies, Jonah Burke reflects on why planning, measurement and judgement matter for comms leaders working with the C-suite. Full episode via links in comments

Last week, I joined @cipr.co.uk first Corporate Affiliate event of 2026. A valuable discussion on the challenges shaping communications, including our lobbying and advocacy work. To become a Corporate Affiliate, check link in comments

Next week, I’ll be joining the @cipr.co.uk International Group to discuss how countries build and communicate their narratives. An important conversation on perception, strategy and global positioning. 📅 30 April | 12:00 BST Free registration link in comments.

Today I'll record my final episode of Stories and Strategies, and it feels like the right moment to say thank you properly. My partnership with the podcast continues until mid‑May, so if you haven’t checked it out, there’s more to explore. (1/9)