Melanie Parker, a university recruitment professional, shares a hilarious mishap when student hospitality staff abandoned their posts at a high-profile university event to get drunk behind a skip. Eight students helping themselves to champagne and wine during a Vice-Chancellor's gathering led to a mortifying call from security and a scramble to manage the fallout.

• Worked at Leeds Becker University running a recruitment business placing hospitality students as event staff
• Students were supposed to be catering and waitressing at an important gathering with the Vice-Chancellor
• The student workers played "mind sweeping" (collecting drinks) "at a whole new level"
• Security called to report that eight students were "mortal" (hammered) behind a skip surrounded by empty bottles
• Had to pick each student up and remind them they were representing the university
• Managed to handle the situation without the Vice-Chancellor finding out
• Reflects that while mortifying, it wasn't as bad as it could have been if it had happened with external clients

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What does it take to turn a simple hashtag into a thriving community of 15,000 marketing and comms professionals? In this episode, Chris Norton sits down with Asif Choudry, founder of Comms Hero, to unpack the journey from a one-off event in Manchester to a nationwide movement. They dive into the early days of superhero-themed conferences, the backlash that almost derailed everything, and why treating a community as a long-term commitment, not a short-term campaign, is the secret to success.

Expect candid stories about embracing marketing mistakes, surviving Twitter trolls, and why authenticity matters more than perfection. From handwritten notes that sparked viral moments to the philosophy behind “Dare to Fail,” this conversation is packed with insights for anyone building a brand, running events, or navigating the ever-changing world of social media. If you’ve ever wondered how to create real connections in a digital age, this episode is for you.

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Ken Robertson, Paddy Power’s former Head of Mischief, was given one job: grab attention by any means necessary. Known for outrageous campaigns and a flair for chaos, he built a career out of toeing the line. But one particular stunt, his most ambitious yet, pushed things further than even he expected.

It all began when Ken Robertson staged a marketing stunt at the Vatican. He had Paddy Power set up betting odds at St Peter's Square during the 2007 papal conclave, which earned hourly coverage on Sky News. When Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2014, he returned to the scene with a new and provocative promotion: “Money Back if the Pope is Black.”

Then came the curveball.

When Dennis Rodman announced a visit to North Korea with the Harlem Globetrotters, Ken saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to blend spectacle with scandal. He arranged for Paddy Power to sponsor a basketball match between the United States and North Korea, set to coincide with Kim Jong-un’s 30th birthday.

What followed was a diplomatic headache.

• Kim Jong-un’s regime carried out a brutal government purge just weeks before the event
• The stunt drew scrutiny from institutional investors and even the United Nations
• Paddy Power was forced to pull out at the last minute
• The match went ahead without branding, and surprisingly, may have contributed to the eventual release of American prisoners
• The campaign drew inspiration from the “ping pong diplomacy” that once thawed tensions between the United States and China

What started as a cheeky Vatican stunt nearly became an international crisis. This is the story of how Ken Robertson's wildest idea flirted with disaster and might have done some unexpected good.

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