
Asides
Noticing What Was Always There
I’ve walked past them countless times without seeing them – two old plaques on a wall. Then one day, I actually looked… and fell headfirst into six centuries of local history, hidden in plain sight.
Artificial Intelligence
There’s much to unpack in Mary Meeker’s new AI Trends report – and it’s not easy reading unless you’re deep into the subject. This post offers plain-English summaries of the eight core themes and a downloadable, business-friendly guide.
Asides
In late May, time away in Chester and a side trip to Liverpool gave my wife and me moments to explore two very different cathedrals. One wrapped us in history and warmth. The other, though grand in scale, left us searching for spirit. Both offered space for reflection.
Innovation
Google’s Veo 3 generates realistic videos from simple text prompts – with sound, dialogue, and cinematic quality – that can mimic news reports and voices in multiple languages with stunning accuracy. A creative leap, or a deepfake disaster waiting to happen?
Communication
Marks and Spencer’s month-long cyber crisis is now less about systems and more about communication, and how it can make or break reputation. With media scrutiny high and brand trust wavering, this post explores why communication has become a critical risk.
Metaverse
The consumer metaverse may have stalled, but a new version is thriving in factories and warehouses. Discover how digital twins, spatial computing, and AI are reshaping industry – and what this shift means for communicators.
Communication
The Vatican’s continued investment in social media for Pope Leo XIV signals a smart strategic move to stay visible, credible, and relevant in a digitally connected world – and raises the question of how far this engagement could evolve across emerging platforms.
Studio6
Moving from WordPress to Ghost has many benefits – but I miss one key feature: child themes. Here's what Ghost does (and doesn't) offer for custom theme users, and how to safely manage your theme customisations without losing your changes.
Artificial Intelligence
AI tools are trained on English, but not the kind most people speak. This post explores how generative AI reinforces American norms, often at the expense of global linguistic diversity. So, whose English is it really speaking?
Public Relations
Washington PR veteran Phil Elwood joins David Yelland on the BBC's 'When It Hits The Fan' podcast to explore how public relations has "infected" politics and media. Witty and unsettling in equal measure, it’s a sharp look at spin, truth, and the power behind the curtain.
Analysis and opinion at the intersection of communication, technology, and life's evolving priorities.
A personal visit to Tyntesfield reveals more than Victorian grandeur – it’s a story of global trade, religious devotion, and architectural splendour. From guano riches to Gothic revival, this North Somerset estate tells a fascinating tale.
In a profession where announcing client wins is still often the norm, I've found greater value in discretion. Inspired by a recent post from Nina Sawetz, I explore why a lower-key approach can build stronger, more authentic and trusting relationships.
Traditional PR is under fire again. From "go direct" strategies to "perception warfare," communicators face a new reality: adapt, lead narratives, or be left behind. A reflection on the shifting ground in PR and reputation management.
During my early-morning catch-up with LinkedIn, I saw a striking image Zora Artis shared that stopped me mid-scroll. It was a stylised exchange with ChatGPT answering the question: "What is a warning you'd like to share with all humans?" The reply: "Don't outsource
Gartner predicts a marketing future shaped by AI assistants and machine-targeted content. As human attention shifts and algorithms take the lead, marketers must design for both people and machines. Are you ready for what’s coming?
ChatGPT’s new memory feature changes how we interact with AI. For communicators, it raises urgent questions about personalisation, privacy, and trust. This post explores the implications for our work, our organisations, and the future of digital engagement.
A personal reflection on how generative AI is evolving – from a productivity tool to a source of support, clarity, and purpose. Inspired by new HBR research and my own journey to rebalance work and life.
English may be a shared language between the UK and US, but differences in spelling, usage and pronunciation are growing – especially with global influence. Are we heading toward a homogenised 'International English'?
Creating an AI-generated action figure is a fun experiment in prompting, iteration, and creativity. It shows what’s possible with generative AI while also raising important questions about originality, IP, and environmental impact.
Quartz launched in 2012 with a visionary approach to digital-first business journalism. Twelve years later, its obituary was published. This post reflects on Quartz’s rise, innovations, and the missteps that led to its decline – from editorial ambition to AI-generated content.
The story of Dunster Castle spans nearly 1,000 years, from Norman fort to Victorian country house. I explore the castle’s rich history and share highlights from our visit to this remarkable Somerset landmark.
What happens when AI turns a blog post into a podcast? An experiment with Google’s Notebook LM created an AI-generated, surprisingly natural, audio conversation based on one of my posts. This post explores how it worked, and why AI audio could become a powerful companion to human-hosted content.