In public relations, success often depends on one quiet skill: knowing how to adapt. The best communicators read the room, sense the temperature, and adjust their tone without losing their message.

In this episode, we explore what it really means to be a PR chameleon – someone who can blend into the cultural landscape enough to connect, yet still stand out enough to be remembered.

Jessica Hope, founder of Wimbart, has built one of Africa’s most respected tech PR agencies by mastering that balance. From WhatsApp-based storytelling to navigating privilege, identity, and power across 54 distinct markets, Jessica reveals how empathy, adaptability, and emotional intelligence have become the true currencies of influence in global communications.

Listen For

4:36 How Do You Break the “One Africa” Myth in PR?
7:40 What Is Emotional Intelligence in African Business?
9:22 How Do Comms Channels Differ in Africa?
12:06 Should Brands Adjust Their Values in Africa?
16:26 What’s Africa’s Media Landscape Really Like?

18:30 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Jo Jamieson

Guest: Jessica Hope, Wimbart

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ted Talk Farzana mentioned

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg

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In this audience-driven “mailroom” episode of The Week Spun, the conversation opens with a provocative idea from the PRovoke Summit: AI is now being discussed in full-time equivalent (FTE) terms, signaling a shift in how agencies and organizations think about synthetic labor. Guest host Kim Sample, President of the PR Council, joins Doug Downs and David Gallagher to explore what this means for the future of work in PR.

From there, the trio digs into listener-submitted questions on everything from Apple’s conspicuous silence in the podcasting space, to why PR professionals struggle with personal branding, how fairness is driving consumer outrage, gender representation in politics, and the surprising TikTok-fueled backlash to a Halloween ad campaign from Hatch Sleep.

Audio Episode Chapters

1:51 What is a “synthetic FTE” and how is AI reshaping PR teams
4:29 Are brands finally taking owned content like blogs and podcasts seriously
8:11 Does Apple still care about podcasts or is their silence a statement
13:05 Why do PR pros struggle with confidence and self promotion
21:03 Does visibility for women in politics actually equal shared power

Video Episode Chapters

1:54 What is a “Synthetic FTE” and How Will AI Change PR Teams?
5:16 Are Brands Finally Getting Serious About Owned Media and Podcasts?
10:51 Does Apple Still Care About Podcast? Or Are They Quietly Quitting?
13:15 Why Do PR Pros Struggle With Their Own Personal Branding?
26:14 Does Representation Equal Power in Politic? Or Just PR Optics?

Guest Kim Sample, PR Council

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The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel

We publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it’s no longer available.

Folgate Advisors

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Afraid of posting on LinkedIn? You’re not alone, and it’s not about time or talent, it’s about confidence.

In this episode we look at why communicators, especially women, struggle to show up confidently on LinkedIn.

Fear, not time or skill, is the biggest barrier to visibility. PR professionals who are used to writing for others often stumble when the byline is their own.

From how to post authentically without oversharing, to navigating gendered expectations in professional visibility, to practical LinkedIn content strategies (yes, including algorithm hacks!), we’ve got smart, tactical advice for anyone looking to show up and stand out online. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome or just wondering what to post next, this conversation is your confidence booster and content guide in one.

Listen For

• 4:25 Why don’t communicators post on LinkedIn?
• 6:44 How do you stay authentic without oversharing?
• 9:40 Why is visibility harder for women online?
• 13:25 What’s a simple LinkedIn strategy?
• 16:07 Can you beat the LinkedIn algorithm?
• 17:59 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Tina McCorkindale

Guest: Jo Jamieson

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Rate this podcast with just one click

Follow Farzana on Substack

Follow Doug on Substack

Curzon Substack

Stories and Strategies Website

Curzon Public Relations Website

Apply to be a guest on the podcast

Connect with us

LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest

Request a transcript of this episode

Support the show