About this podcast
Get ready to embark on a ‘PR learning adventure’ with CRUNCH!
Three-time winner of the PR Institute of NZ’s ‘Small PR Agency of the Year,’ the HMC team provides practical wisdom to help business leaders turbocharge their reputation-building game.
Tune in to these 'crucial chats over lunch' - CRUNCH - for entertaining insights that will empower you to forge connections and relationships with those who matter most in your industry. Whether you are steering the ship as a visionary CEO, orchestrating strategy from the boardroom, or driving a dynamic communications team, the HMC crew is your ultimate partner for PR success.
Join us and our amazing line-up of experts as we dive deep into the trenches of reputational challenges. From building your brand, to encouraging staff loyalty, to handling issues and crises, the HMC team will equip you with proven PR strategies.
And that’s not all – buckle up for episodes that unravel the mystique behind the latest digital PR trends. Wondering if you should seize the trend or let it slide? We’ve got your back with insights that slice through the noise and deliver crystal-clear information you can use to succeed in your leadership role.
Ready to dive in even further? Visit the HMC at https://www.wearehmc.co.nz/crunch to learn more about our guests and download additional information on each episode topic.
CRUNCH – it’s a bite-sized taster on the topic of public relations and strategic communications. Dive in now!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 30 episodes
- How Do You Sell a Service People Don’t Think They Need? · 30 min · Season 4 Episode 9If you’re trying to grow a product or service that your audience doesn’t yet understand—or assumes isn’t for them—how do you change their minds without relying on a hard sell?…
- Launching Uber in New Zealand: From Controversy to Credibility · 49 min · Season 4 Episode 8How do you introduce a disruptive brand when the global narrative is already working against you? AJ Tills, Uber’s first employee in New Zealand, joins CRUNCH to reflect on the…
- From Ignored to Newsworthy: How to Earn Media Coverage · 39 min · Season 4 Episode 7Why do some businesses get media coverage while others struggle to get noticed? In this episode of CRUNCH, HMC Director Heather Claycomb is joined by Senior Account Managers Emma…
- Winning the Battle for Farmer Attention · 43 min · Season 4 Episode 6Whether you're marketing to NZ farmers or wanting to get a news story in front of them, they are harder to reach than ever before. The channels available are changing, plus…
- Build Your Leadership Brand on LinkedIn · 23 min · Season 4 Episode 5LinkedIn has become one of the most influential platforms shaping professional reputation, trust, and visibility. Yet many leaders still feel unsure about how to show up in a way…
- Five Crucial Steps to Take in the First Hour of a Crisis · 6 min · Season 4 Episode 4This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. When a crisis hits, the first hour can make or break your reputation. In this episode, Heather Claycomb…
- Bad Review! What Should I Do? · 8 min · Season 4 Episode 3This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. Got a one star review and feel a bit sick? You are not alone. In this episode we talk about what to do…
- How to Ensure Your Brand Shows Up in AI Search · 8 min · Season 4 Episode 2This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. Is your brand showing up when people ask AI for information on a product or service? Many people are…
- Media Relations: Is the Media Release Dead? · 6 min · Season 4 Episode 1This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. Are media releases dead, or do they still earn their place in your PR toolkit? In this episode HMC…
- 5 PR Forces That Will Shape Business in 2026 · 23 min · Season 3 Episode 4Businesses are facing a communications environment that is changing faster than at any point in recent memory. From AI-driven search and shrinking newsrooms to rising…
- PART 2: Unlocking AI Search: How Your Brand Can Rise to the Top · 21 min · Season 3 Episode 3The way people search for companies and products online is changing. This is part 2 in a two-part podcast series. In this episode our conversation explores communications tactics…
- Unlocking AI Search: How Your Brand Can Rise to the Top (part 1 of 2) · 21 min · Season 3 Episode 2The landscape of online search is undergoing a profound evolution, as consumers increasingly opt to bypass traditional search engines like Google in favor of advanced AI…
- Crisis Comms on the Frontlines: A PR Pro’s Journey in Global Aid · 31 min · Season 3 Episode 1The dialogue with Phil Johnstone is an enlightening examination of the critical role of communications in the realm of global humanitarian assistance, particularly during crises…
- Navigating the Minefield: Managing Corporate Reputation in a Distrustful Era · 37 min · Season 2 Episode 10Organisations today face a heightened risk of reputational damage due to an increasingly sensitive public that is quick to take offense at corporate actions and decisions…
- Keeping the Buzz Alive: Strategies to Maintain Communication During Tough Times · 6 min · Season 2 Episode 9This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. Effective communication is crucial for businesses looking to build trust and enhance their brand…
- Building Trust: The Key to Successful Business Relationships · 5 min · Season 2 Episode 8This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. Building strong relationships is a crucial tool for driving business success, as highlighted in this…
- Bridge the Credibility Gap: Aligning Identity with Reputation · 6 min · Season 2 Episode 7This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. This CRUNCH episode dives deep into the concept of the 'Credibility Gap', a critical topic for leaders and…
- Building Trust: A Crucial Step for Business Success · 5 min · Season 2 Episode 6This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. Building trust for any organisation is essential for fostering strong relationships with your audience and…
- Invest in Content: Build Authority and Drive Business Results · 5 min · Season 2 Episode 5This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans. As the saying goes, "Content is King!" But first things first - are you wondering, "How exactly do you…
- Skills to look for in a PR advisor: a conversation with Strahan Wallis · 31 min · Season 2 Episode 4Whether you're on a board or executive team, having a senior PR advisor by your side is a huge advantage when formulating business strategy, managing risk, working proactively to…







