Food comms: 'let's flip the script' - PRWeek podcast

Are food PR stunts dead? PRWeek podcast

Episode 144 of the Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast podcast, hosted by PRWeek, titled "Food comms: 'let's flip the script' - PRWeek podcast" was published on January 15, 2026 and runs 38 minutes.

January 15, 2026 ·38m · Beyond the Noise - the PRWeek podcast

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Summary

What’s the secret to getting comms and messaging right around food in the post-HFSS world? PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast takes a look.Our guests this week are comms and food expert Mallika Basu, a strategy adviser at Blurred and author of the book, 'In Good Taste: What Shapes What We Eat and Drink – And Why It Matters'; and Harvey Choat, MD of food and drink PR agency Nexus.Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen in the browser above or on your favourite platform.The government’s 'unhealthy food' ad ban, via the HFSS (high fat, sugar and salt) regulations that came into force on 5 January, prohibits any online advertising of HFSS foods and limits TV ads to after 9pm.Speaking to PRWeek journalists John Harrington and Evie Barrett, our guests discuss what impact the ban has had to date and how clients are reacting.They look at how food brands can build genuine loyalty under the new rules, how influencer marketing is likely to change, and how brands can grow organic engagement.Basu and Choat examine wider issues of food and communications, particularly around the promotion of healthy foods. They ask, among other things, what has happened to Veganuary - and what's the future of food stunts?The duo also discuss some of their favourite food comms campaigns of recent times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description

What’s the secret to getting comms and messaging right around food in the post-HFSS world? PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast takes a look.

Our guests this week are comms and food expert Mallika Basu, a strategy adviser at Blurred and author of the book, 'In Good Taste: What Shapes What We Eat and Drink – And Why It Matters'; and Harvey Choat, MD of food and drink PR agency Nexus.

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

The government’s 'unhealthy food' ad ban, via the HFSS (high fat, sugar and salt) regulations that came into force on 5 January, prohibits any online advertising of HFSS foods and limits TV ads to after 9pm.

Speaking to PRWeek journalists John Harrington and Evie Barrett, our guests discuss what impact the ban has had to date and how clients are reacting.

They look at how food brands can build genuine loyalty under the new rules, how influencer marketing is likely to change, and how brands can grow organic engagement.

Basu and Choat examine wider issues of food and communications, particularly around the promotion of healthy foods. They ask, among other things, what has happened to Veganuary - and what's the future of food stunts?

The duo also discuss some of their favourite food comms campaigns of recent times.

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