It's not often my flabber is well and truly ghasted, but I've just learned that Guto Harri is to leave the BBC to enter the world of political PR. He's joining top PR firm Fleishman Hillard.Guto will be a big loss to the BBC political team but is a real catch for FH. He will be providing Board level counsel on political communications and public policy and will do a lot of media training and provide crisis communications advice.
In a statement Guto Harri said: “After a fascinating career in broadcast journalism, I am thrilled to take up an exciting new opportunity with Fleishman-Hillard. Playing my part in a dynamic, impressive team, wrestling with a broad range of tough and complex challenges is a daunting but inspiring prospect, and I look forward to it with relish."
There seems to be a lot of volatility in the political media at the moment, and a lot of disillusion. I know from my own contacts that there are quite a few political journos who are thinking about a career move like this one.
Guto had been tipped for the job that Andy Coulson now has. Somehow I think the job with FH will be slightly less pressurised! He's one of journalism's nice guys and I wish him well in his new career.
14 comments:
"Playing my part in a dynamic, impressive team, wrestling with a broad range of tough and complex challenges....."
Sounds like a complete and utter PR executive.
He's seen the writing on the wall, eh? And I'm not talking about graffiti, either. Things do not look good at Al Beeb nor many other broadcasting companies these days.
As for the BBC political team - that's a misnomer if ever there was one. I really cannot take Nick Robinson seriously any more. He carries on like a pantomime dame - both on and off camera. In fact I challenge anyone to name any individual in 'the team' with real gravitas, incisiveness or intellect.
More seriously, though, you're absolutely right to highlight the disillusion. What it signifies is that the politicians have won the media war. They are now turning their attention to bloggers. Beware!
I'm amazed. Guto is a top journo and would have been my tip to succeed Nick Robinson one day. I guess this leaves the field clear for James Landale....
Can you expand your comment, "There seems to be a lot of volatility in the political media at the moment, and a lot of disillusion", without breaking any confidences. Is it to do with New Labour and the spin or is the pressure of 24/7 news?
Howard, I think it's both those issues plus the constant demands to dumb down political news and make it more "accessible".
For the same reasons as "Idotes", I am also astonished that he was ever considered for a job with the Conservative Party. Are your sure about that Iain?
Iain
Are you banning comment on your piece on Waterson, then?
Indeed Iain. Guto's departure from the BBC is nothing short of a national loss. I was so moved I wrote a poetic tribute to this fine man.
Well, good riddance, sez I. One small victory for the Anti-Celt League. That apart, I thought he was a very poor journalist with a rotten delivery.
Robert Peston's another lousy voice. He's fine when he's giving a prepared piece, and excellent in relaxed conversation. As soon as he's interrupted or asked a direct question, however, it's suddenly: "er, um, er, well, (syllables s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d to infinity), um, er, well, (agonisingly long pause), um, well, er." He rapidly become impossible to listen to.
More money methinks....
Bring on Julia Hartley-Brewer.
Its long past the time when anyone from the BBC can be trusted to be decent , truthful and unbiased .
Surprised at your naivety Iain .
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Written before I realised he is celtic( welsh ) -
85% of all employees of the BBC should be English ie the same proportion of the British poulation
I bet the real percentage is <8.5%
I too am shocked and disappointed. I knew Guto personally and know him to be a thoroughly decent bloke (although with Welsh nationalist tendancies after a few beers in his university days):
http://caughtinthemiddleman.wordpress.com/2008/02/25/blairs-second-hand-babe/
I don't suppose now that he's joined Boris's team you're all going to claim he was a Tory all along. I wonder how many more closet blues there are at the Beeb (not counting Nick Robinson of course).
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