Is Man City's PR Bananas?

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There are some crises that flare up and then disappear almost instantly. And then there are those that rumble on and on and on. Welcome to Manchester City's world. It is now a month since the devastating verdict against the club - when it was found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules and using 'sham' contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £800m. The club continues to deny any wrongdoing and is appealing. But while that process runs and runs, how do you keep the PR wheels moving? When you're in perma-crisis, how do you ignore the external noise and focus on arguably the most important job - keeping everyone inside the organisation onside? On the extended edition on BBC Sounds - food, bras and pants. The very staples of M&S. But who's doing all the selling? It seems their programme to use 'ordinary' employees as mega-influencers is working a treat. David and Farzana discuss how companies are increasingly trying to use their own shop-floor staff to do the PR heavy lifting, to appear more authentic and relatable. And if you're reading this surrounded by tinned goods and bottled water, there's a chance you've listened to the Government's Be Ready campaign. In short, we've been giving a list of things we should stockpile in case of emergency - and unsurprisingly, some of those goods are flying off the shelves. But has the messaging changed? There's been little talk of 'panic buying'. Instead, it feels like people are being commended for taking sensible precautions. Are we now living in such uncertain times that it's becoming easier to persuade the public to change their behaviour without spreading fear? Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4