Episodes

  • Ep15 - Easter a long forgotten time of chocolate sausages, crisp beers and a tough edit

    Ep15 - Easter a long forgotten time of chocolate sausages, crisp beers and a tough edit
    Apr 26 2021
    So as ever Comms Vs is eggs-tremely late to the party - blame the fact Ben and Janine have a very strict sign off process (or slightly chaotic lives)

    The pair this time take a look at Easter, April fools day and NHS comms around vaccinations and lockdown easing.

    Needless to say there's a bit of celebrity, a bit of food chat and some TV recommendations from Radcliffe

    Hat tip to Northern Monk Brewery who pulled the ultimate double bluff on us and the rest of their fans and well done to Heck who made a truly delicious sausage.

    About the hosts

    Ben Ormsby is the Yorkshire editor of TheBusinessDesk.com and a PR practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in both agency and client-side roles. Janine Radcliffe is a communications and marketing specialist and now runs her own business called Radwood Communications. They met each other a number of years ago when they were both working in-house for a large public sector organisation and, despite each going their separate ways, they have remained good friends. Now, they speak every few weeks and record their ramblings for your listening pleasure.

    Keep in touch

    Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @CommsVs
    Email us: commsvs@outlook.com
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Bonus: A Burger King (Women's Day) Whopper

    Bonus: A Burger King (Women's Day) Whopper
    Mar 11 2021
    Yes, yes.... Comms Vs is like busses you get none and then two come in a week.

    BUT this isn't a proper episode it's a quick reaction to well the whopper of a fiasco that was Burger King UK's International Women's Day campaign.

    Enjoy
    Ben & Janine

    PS share your thoughts on it:
    Twitter & Instagram - @CommsVS
    Email - commsvs@outlook.com
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • Episode 14 - The expensive adverts bowl ... a very late look at the adverts around that Big NFL game

    Episode 14 - The expensive adverts bowl ... a very late look at the adverts around that Big NFL game
    Mar 9 2021
    So as ever Comms Vs is fashionably late to the party - blame the fact Ben and Janine are both oddly busy in the midst of a national lockdown.

    The dynamic duo or dullards (depending upon you view) take a look at the adverts that feature in the expensive advertising slots around America's biggest game the Super Bowl.

    Needless to say there's a bit of celebrity, a bit of emotion and a few giggles (and possibly a little bit of sexism).

    Hat tip to the advertisers including:
    Amazon
    Jeep
    Paramount
    Cheetos
    General Motos

    Aside from this they also share their Lockdown Lessons including some TV pics and a breath taking baking realisation!

    About the hosts

    Ben Ormsby is the Yorkshire Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com and a PR practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in both agency and client-side roles. Janine Radcliffe is a communications and marketing specialist and now runs her own business called Radwood Communications. They met each other a number of years ago when they were both working in-house for a large public sector organisation and, despite each going their separate ways, they have remained good friends. Now, they speak every few weeks and record their ramblings for your listening pleasure.

    Keep in touch

    Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @CommsVs
    Email us: commsvs@outlook.com
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Episode 13 - Winterwatch saving mental health in lockdown 3

    Episode 13 - Winterwatch saving mental health in lockdown 3
    Jan 26 2021
    Episode 13: Comms Vs Winterwatch & mental health in lockdown 3

    In this episode of Comms Vs., Ben and Janine discuss the importance of prioritising your mental health – particularly during a lockdown in January. They take a light-hearted look at the things that they – and their listeners – have been doing to keep themselves positive, such as limiting their exposure to negative news stories and enjoying the great outdoors. They also share the fun activities they’ve been doing to keep themselves entertained – including Janine’s newfound love of arts and crafts and Ben’s ongoing video game appreciation.

    Lockdown lessons

    Ben rediscovers his love of a sea shanty courtesy of folk band, The Longest Johns. Janine confesses her growing obsession with birdwatching but shows true dedication to the Comms Vs. podcast by missing the first episode of Winterwatch to record.

    Links

    •The Happy Newspaper - good news delivered to your door every 3 months: https://thehappynewspaper.com/
    •#Walkshire - Welcome to Yorkshire’s campaign to encourage more people to take up walking and enjoy the Yorkshire countryside: https://www.yorkshire.com/walkshire
    •Art in a box – Halifax art school providing all the materials you need to do an art class from home: https://www.theartworks.org.uk/home-learning
    •Okay Comics – independent book shop based in Leeds and specialising in graphic novels and comics: https://okcomics.co.uk

    Shout outs

    •Goodable - good news Twitter feed: @Goodable
    •Welcome to Yorkshire CEO, James Mason: @JamesMason_78
    •The Longest Johns – capella folk band and sea shanty sensations: @TheLongestJohns
    •Unstable Unicorns – strategic card game featuring unicorns and destruction – available to buy from Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith etc.

    About the hosts

    Ben Ormsby is the Yorkshire Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com and a PR practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in both agency and client-side roles. Janine Radcliffe is a communications and marketing specialist and now runs her own business called Radwood Communications. They met each other a number of years ago when they were both working in-house for a large public sector organisation and, despite each going their separate ways, they have remained good friends. Now, they speak every few weeks and record their ramblings for your listening pleasure.

    Keep in touch

    Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @CommsVs
    Email us: commsvs@outlook.com
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Episode 12: It’s Christmas… (advert time)

    Episode 12: It’s Christmas… (advert time)
    Dec 7 2020
    In this festive episode of Comms Vs., Janine and Ben discuss what makes a good Christmas advert and share their thoughts on this year’s offerings from the major supermarkets (and a few other Christmas advert giants).

    They also debate some of the big Christmas questions like ‘is it ever too early to put your decorations up?’ and ‘what do you leave out for Santa?’.

    So, grab a Baileys, put your feet up and sit back and listen to what may well be our last episode of 2020. Enjoy – and may your Christmas be merry and bright.

    LINKS

    Christmas adverts:

    •McDonalds – Inner Child:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJntbYytPz8
    •Lidl – Big on a Christmas you can believe in:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2waeUenMzYY
    •John Lewis – Give a little love:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUmPzwLNiMk
    •Coca-cola – Give something only you can give:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg4Mq5EAEzw
    •Sainsburys – Gravy song (part 1 of 3):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqtcpLywgRU
    •Tesco – No Naughty List:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CfrpexaCwg
    •Aldi – Kevin’s out in the cold:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL56Z5StIUY
    •Asda – That’s an Asda Price Christmas:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR_nRBy92oQ
    •Morrisons – Making Christmas Special:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KOaqfhnamA

    Honourable mentions:

    •Disney – From our family to yours:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl57Gy5X_Kg
    •Ayton Mini Market:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiRIfwygcLg

    Other:

    •Total Eclipse of the Heart - Literal Video Version:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsgWUq0fdKk

    ABOUT THE HOSTS

    Ben Ormsby is the Yorkshire Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com and a PR practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in both agency and client-side roles. Janine Radcliffe is a communications and marketing specialist and now runs her own business called Radwood Communications. They met each other a number of years ago when they were both working in-house for a large public sector organisation and, despite each going their separate ways, they have remained good friends. Now, they speak once a week and record their ramblings for your listening pleasure.

    KEEP IN TOUCH

    Follow us on Twitter: @CommsVs
    Follow us on Instagram: @CommsVs
    Email us: commsvs@outlook.com
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Episode 11.5 - a bonus... Ask Ben

    Episode 11.5 - a bonus... Ask Ben
    Nov 6 2020
    In this episode of Comms Vs. (which is a bit of a bonus due to both the plucky hosts being a bit distracted of late), Janine puts a whole host of questions from fans, herself and special guest, Matt, to Ben on the topics of PR and journalism - including whether he likes phone pitch and embargoes!

    Links

    - The NY Times article which explains off the record (or at least how they see it) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/02/reader-center/off-the-record-meaning.html

    About the hosts

    Ben Ormsby is the Yorkshire Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com and a PR practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in both agency and client-side roles. Janine Radcliffe is a communications and marketing specialist and now runs her own business called Radwood Communications. They met each other a number of years ago when they were both working in-house for a large public sector organisation and, despite each going their separate ways, they have remained good friends. Now, they speak once a week and record their ramblings for your listening pleasure.

    Keep in touch

    Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @CommsVs
    Email us: commsvs@outlook.com
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Episode 11: Photography permissions and the Jesus of soft drinks

    Episode 11: Photography permissions and the Jesus of soft drinks
    Sep 21 2020
    In this episode of Comms Vs., Ben and Janine are joined by commercial and brand photographer, Matt Radcliffe, and try their hand at photography with a challenge in honour of World Photography Day. Tasked with emulating their favourite image, they present their inspiration and creations to Matt – and he critiques their work. Take a look @CommsVs on Twitter to see the images described in this episode.

    Ben, Janine and Matt also discuss every comms person’s worst nightmare – photography permissions – in particular, the controversial copyright infringement lawsuit filed by photojournalist, Stephanie Sinclair, against the publication Mashable.

    Lockdown lessons

    Janine talks about her rediscovery of the homebuilding show, Grand Designs, and Matt shares his love of a good walk. Ben waxes lyrical about the joys of a SodaStream and Janine comes up with perhaps the greatest advertising slogan of all time…

    Links

    •Court Rules Photographer Gave Up Exclusive Licensing Rights by Posting on Instagram: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/court-rules-photographer-gave-up-licensing-rights-by-posting-instagram-1290170

    Shoutouts

    •Our fantastic guest, Matt Radcliffe – follow him @mattradphoto or visit www.mattradcliffephoto.co.uk

    About the hosts

    Ben Ormsby is the Yorkshire Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com and a PR practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in both agency and client-side roles. Janine Radcliffe is a communications and marketing specialist and now runs her own business called Radwood Communications. They met each other a number of years ago when they were both working in-house for a large public sector organisation and, despite each going their separate ways, they have remained good friends. Now, they speak once a week and record their ramblings for your listening pleasure.

    Keep in touch

    Follow us on Twitter: @CommsVs
    Email us: commsvs@outlook.com
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Episode 10: The Good, The Bad and The Anger Inducing .... Yorkshire Day review

    Episode 10: The Good, The Bad and The Anger Inducing .... Yorkshire Day review
    Aug 29 2020
    In this episode of Comms Vs., Janine and Ben discuss the most wonderful time of the year.....well not really, just Yorkshire Day!

    Highlighting the brands that got it right and those that just felt like a miss and in Ben's case made him pretty angry!

    It's all a bit of fun and features Sean Bean, a local chippy and some chatter about when it works to join an awareness day and when it feels wrong!

    About the hosts

    Ben Ormsby is the Yorkshire Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com and a PR practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in both agency and client-side roles. Janine Radcliffe is a communications and marketing specialist and now runs her own business called Radwood Communications. They met each other a number of years ago when they were both working in-house for a large public sector organisation and, despite each going their separate ways, they have remained good friends. Now, they speak once a week and record their ramblings for your listening pleasure.

    Keep in touch

    Follow us on Twitter: @CommsVs
    Email us: commsvs@outlook.com
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins