Comedy, Crisis, and Content That Matters: Career Lessons with Rob Hallam

Update: 2025-07-28

Description

In this episode of PR in the Real World, host Tony Garner sits down with Rob Hallam, founder and managing director of Bigtank Productions, to explore how storytelling, empathy and service-first thinking can elevate corporate video for purpose-driven brands.

Rob shares his unconventional career journey - from a shyness-shaking stint in a model shop and summers teaching martial arts at Camp America, to stand-up gigs and comedy characters on Men & Motors, including Reverend Bob. His breakthrough into media came via a bold pink envelope mailed to Granada TV, landing him a runner’s role that soon led to directing and presenting.

He explains how he transitioned from TV to founding Bigtank in 2005 with a belief that video should tell emotionally resonant, people-first stories. That ethos – ‘content that matters for brands that care’ - remains central to their work with clients across sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, education, and the public sector. Rob discusses how they distinguish between video that merely ‘looks good’ and content that shifts what audiences think, feel and do - the real benchmark of effectiveness for any PR-led visual storytelling.

Throughout the episode, Rob unpacks how PR professionals can reframe transactional briefs into emotionally resonant narratives that serve both audience and brand strategy. From filming quirky campaigns about electric cat litter trays to life-changing mental health videos, he emphasises that purpose and empathy must be at the heart of content creation.

Whether you're pitching your next big campaign, advising a client on video direction or navigating your own leadership journey, this conversation will shift how you think about storytelling, audience connection and long-term impact in PR.

Links & Resources

About Bigtank and Rob Hallam