08:45 - 09:45
Registration & Networking Breakfast
Help yourself to drinks and pastries while you network with industry peers.
09:45 - 09:50
Welcome from PRWeek & Housekeeping Announcements
09:50 - 10:00
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Amber De Botton, Former Director of Communications, 10 Downing Street & Chief Communications Officer, The Guardian.
10:00 - 10:35
Panel Discussion: Imposter Content - Misinformation and Disinformation
With the decline of trust in traditional media and the rise of alternative information sources such as Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), join our speakers for an honest and open discussion about what the best strategies are for proactive monitoring and early intervention in emerging issues, and how corporate comms adapts to respond to live, rapid conversations outside of traditional media.
Using Sli.do this interactive session will gather and discuss the most effective proactive monitoring and early intervention strategies currently being deployed by your peers. Contribute your successful corporate comms tactics and walk away with immediate, actionable blueprints to protect your brand from the next digital crisis.
Talking points:
- The challenge of misinformation spreading rapidly on platforms without fact-checking.
- Strategies for proactive monitoring and early intervention in emerging issues.
Moderator: Amber De Botton, Former Director of Communications, 10 Downing Street & Chief Communications Officer, The Guardian.
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A and Session Changeover
10:40 - 11:00
Keynote: TBA
This session is reserved for one of our event partners. If you would like to take part as a keynote partner, please contact Payal Padhiar at payal.padhiar@haymarket.com.
11:00 - 11:15
Brand Case Study: TBA
Brand Case Study: Deep Dive
A leading brand shares the candid, 20-minute breakdown of their crisis comms. We’ll dissect their real-time monitoring and intervention strategy, followed by a fast-paced, direct Q&A with the Chair and the audience, designed to extract the three most critical takeaways.
Speaker: TBA
11:15 - 11:20
Q&A
11:20 - 11:50
Morning Networking Break
Please help yourself to refreshments and network with our event partners and industry peers.
11:50 - 12:25
Leading from the Eye of the Storm - Managing Your Team and Pressure from C Suite During a PR Crisis.
This panel discusses being in the ‘eye of the storm’ of a crisis and addresses strategies to help navigate the balancing act of managing pressure from your C-suite, your team and the wider business, during reputational fallout. As part of this session the audience will be asked to discuss with their peers and ask questions based on the following talking points:
- How transparent should leaders be with their teams during uncertainty?
- Managing C-suite expectations during the crisis and learning when to say no.
- Internal Communication vs. External Messaging.
- Learning and debriefing after the storm: Turning mistakes into growth moments for your team.
Moderator: Amber De Botton, Former Director of Communications, 10 Downing Street & Chief Communications Officer, The Guardian
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A and Session Changeover
12:30 - 12:50
Keynote: TBA
This session is reserved for one of our event partners. If you would like to take part as a keynote partner, please contact Payal Padhiar at payal.padhiar@haymarket.com.
12:50 - 13:05
Keynote: Positioning Business Resilience And Continuity In The Wake Of Crisis.
Expect a keynote on resilience followed by a Q&A with the chair and audience that will help you with key takeaways you can apply to your business today!
Talking points
- Comms contribution to business resilience
- Influence to the board level
- How to not just be reactive.
- How being confident in your comms can help drive credibility
13:05 - 13:10
Q&A
13:10 - 14:10
Networking Lunch
Enjoy a lunch that’s designed to break the ice and broaden your professional circle.
14:10 - 14:25
Brand Case Study: TBA
Expect a 20-minute presentation from a leading brand, followed by a 5-minute Q&A with the chair and audience, which will then be opened to the audience.
Speaker: TBA
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A and Session Changeover
14:30 - 14:50
SPEX Keynote: TBA
This session is reserved for one of our event partners. If you would like to take part as a keynote partner, please contact Payal Padhiar at payal.padhiar@haymarket.com.
14:50 - 15:15
Afternoon Networking Break
Take this opportunity to connect with industry experts and fellow attendees. Reflect on your learnings, exchange takeaways, and gear up for an exciting 2026.
15:15 - 15:40
In conversation with PRWeek: The Human Cost of Crisis - Mental Health & Wellbeing for Comms Professionals
Comms professionals often find themselves on the front lines of scrutiny, often bombarded with hate comments and negative news stories.
The pressure to manage your brand's reputation while navigating a constant stream of online hostility and misinformation can take a significant toll on mental and emotional well-being.
PRWeek sits down to have an honest conversation about how we can make things better for comms professionals, moving beyond the headlines to address the human side of crisis communications. As part of this session, the audience will be asked to use Sli.do and discuss with their peers the following talking points:
Talking Points:
- Spotting the Burnout - What are the early warning signs of stress in yourself and your team?
- Building a Support System - Create a resilient network and a culture of well-being.
- Post-Crisis Review - Conduct comprehensive reviews that prioritise the team's emotional recovery.
Moderator: Siobhan Holt, Deputy Editor, PRWeek UK
15:40 - 15:45
Q&A and Session Changeover
15:45 - 16:25
Panel discussion: Focusing on What You Can Control - Navigating geopolitics and crises you cannot control
Comms professionals massively risk reputational fallout if not careful when navigating polarised issues. Brands often become forced to take a stance on geopolitical issues.
This discussion will be an exploration of how you can navigate increasingly polarised global issues and address the challenges of maintaining an independent stance while addressing significant societal concerns.
Talking points
- Why does it matter?
- Balancing advocacy and neutrality in divisive issues & Managing political stances.
- Addressing cultural identity minefields and the dynamics of a now multigenerational workforce.
- Addressing stakeholder expectations in a charged public environment.
Moderator: Amber De Botton, Former Director of Communications, 10 Downing Street & Chief Communications Officer, The Guardian.
16:25 - 16:30
Q&A
16:30 - 16:40
Chairs Closing Comments
Amber De Botton, Former Director of Communications, 10 Downing Street & Chief Communications Officer, The Guardian.
16:40 - 16:45
PRWeek Closing Comments
16:45 - 16:45
Close of Conference