The Junction Box

The Junction Box: Seeing brands as stories

In the latest episode of The Junction Box, Ian Bolland is joined by Stone Junction’s managing director Richard Stone and Danny Herbert, brand strategist and consultant to talk about painting your brand as the hero. The wide-ranging conversation touches upon the transferable nature and applicability of narrative beats – using well known advertising campaigns and films as a reference point. They also touch upon the importance of good briefs and the impact of technologies, including artificial intelligence, can impact the practices in the modern PR world. Find out more about Stone Junction’s storytelling by visiting www.wechangeminds.com

The Junction Box: Coaching and mentoring

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by Caroline Law to discuss the role of coaching culture in a business. The pair discuss how this can be applied across a range of business, the differences between coaching and mentoring, and how the skills attained by public relations professionals at Stone Junction can help get the best out of your marketing campaign. To find out more about Stone Junction, visit the company’s website at www.wechangeminds.com [http://www.wechangeminds.com/]

The Junction Box: Why UK lobbying is broken

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by David Boot, Head of Public Affairs and LNER and Chair of the CIPR’s committee on Public Affairs. The pair discuss the current landscape for lobbying in the UK, the current legislation that governs the practice, the differences for individuals, companies and agencies, and the reforms he feels that need to take place. David also offers his advice on how to go about including public affairs in public relations campaign, demonstrating how to follow the rules, and how to be seen to follow the rules.

The Junction Box: The AI Evolution in PR and Marketing

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by Andrew Bruce-Smith, director of Escherman and Chair of the AI in PR Panel for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). Drawing on his extensive expertise in artificial intelligence tools, Bruce-Smith discusses the evolution of AI in PR and marketing, outlining how these technologies have transitioned from complex and specialised systems to accessible, everyday tools. He explains how the rise of user-friendly software has sparked a significant increase in adoption across the industry, transforming workflows and enabling professionals to achieve better results with greater efficiency. Bruce-Smith also offers practical insights into how businesses can effectively implement AI technologies into their communications strategies, ensuring they maximise opportunities while avoiding common pitfalls.

Case Study: Using a football manager to market science

Account manager Ian Bolland is joined by David Wallach, Head of Marketing at PolyScience. After meeting at Lab Innovations 2024 with Phil Parkinson, Manager of Wrexham FC, present on the company’s stand, the pair discuss how using a figure from a seemingly unrelated field can help generate interest at laboratory trade show. The pair delve into Wallach’s thinking in targeting Parkinson – which featured his Emmy Award winning background – how he went about it, and why such a daring marketing campaign can reap rewards.