News imageWhen It Hits the Fan, When It Hits the Fan, Did Swatch PR Backfire?

When It Hits the Fan

When It Hits the Fan

Did Swatch PR Backfire?

20 May 2026

26 minutes

Available for over a year

Not every product launch comes complete with tear gas, police dogs and angry crowds.

But those were the scenes at various cities around the world as a new Swatch went on sale.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss whether the chaos that surrounded the launch was PR heaven or hell. Advisors are paid handsomely to try and create such buzz - but can too much hype be a bad thing?

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a PR path that is not well trodden. Because Pippa Middleton owns it and she doesn't want you anywhere near. The sister of the Princess of Wales is finding out being rich and famous is no use when it comes to matters of planning. It's all very public and trying to win over the locals is no easy matter.

Also, tall tales. The mysterious case involving President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China. They are, apparently, wildly different heights. But when seen side by side, they seemed to be exactly the same height. Are dark PR arts at play when trying to make the boss look dominant?

Producer: Duncan Middleton

Editor: Sarah Teasdale

Executive Producer: Eve Streeter

Music by Eclectic Sounds

A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4