Creativity: be brave, not stupid

Episode 154 of the Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast podcast, hosted by PRWeek, titled "Creativity: be brave, not stupid" was published on March 19, 2026 and runs 45 minutes.

March 19, 2026 ·45m · Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast

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Summary

Creative bravery is the topic of PRWeek’s latest podcast.Joining PRWeek UK editor John Harrington this week are Ahalya Moxon, associate creative director at FleishmanHillard, and Shilpa Saul, partner at The Unmistakables.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.The idea for this week’s episode was sparked by comments from Nicola Green, Virgin Media O2’s chief communications and corporate affairs officer, at PRWeek’s Year Ahead Conference in January. Green said her brand’s “biggest fear is becoming undiscoverable”, meaning she’s keen to take “considered risks” that are “brave but not stupid”.Our podcast guests examine some recent and historic campaigns that have arguably crossed the line from ‘brave’ into ‘stupid’ and analyse why they fell down.They look at how campaigns can find that balance to be provocative enough to be remembered without drawing damaging criticism.The duo discuss whether there are times when ‘playing it safe’ is the best approach; whether there are generational differences regarding creativity; and stress the importance of having diverse perspectives when creating campaigns. Saul also argues that people are “losing the art of critical thinking”.Finally, the guests look at how to respond if a campaign receives heavy criticism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description

Creative bravery is the topic of PRWeek’s latest podcast.

Joining PRWeek UK editor John Harrington this week are Ahalya Moxon, associate creative director at FleishmanHillard, and Shilpa Saul, partner at The Unmistakables.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

The idea for this week’s episode was sparked by comments from Nicola Green, Virgin Media O2’s chief communications and corporate affairs officer, at PRWeek’s Year Ahead Conference in January. Green said her brand’s “biggest fear is becoming undiscoverable”, meaning she’s keen to take “considered risks” that are “brave but not stupid”.

Our podcast guests examine some recent and historic campaigns that have arguably crossed the line from ‘brave’ into ‘stupid’ and analyse why they fell down.

They look at how campaigns can find that balance to be provocative enough to be remembered without drawing damaging criticism.

The duo discuss whether there are times when ‘playing it safe’ is the best approach; whether there are generational differences regarding creativity; and stress the importance of having diverse perspectives when creating campaigns. Saul also argues that people are “losing the art of critical thinking”.

Finally, the guests look at how to respond if a campaign receives heavy criticism.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.