A new episode of The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast features leading publicist Simon Jones of Simon Jones PR.
Hosted by Blinding Talent founder Mark Adams, the conversation dives deep into the business of pop, from reputation management to the enduring power of albums.
Jones reflects on his career with clients including Ant & Dec, One Direction, Little Mix, Geri Halliwell, Blue, Mis-Teeq, Louise and RAYE, while challenging conventional industry thinking.
He reveals how a two-decade partnership with Ant & Dec remains his professional cornerstone and recalls One Direction’s Leicester Square premiere as “the biggest the UK has ever seen,” marking a moment when a record went to number one “in 90 countries within minutes.”
Challenging the idea that albums are outdated, Jones argues that artists still need full bodies of work to build loyalty and identity, describing RAYE’s success as proof that authenticity breaks through.
He also discusses repositioning Louise for a Top 10 comeback, the strategic role of queer audiences in modern pop, and the importance of integrated campaigns that combine press, radio, streaming and social media.
Looking to the future, Jones warns about AI’s potential to recreate deceased artists and the ethical implications that could follow.
“Simon’s career maps the last 25 years of UK pop,” said Mark Adams. “What I love here is the playbook: earn trust, set the tone, and build a body of work.”
Jones added: “To break, as a solo act, a returning star or drag artist, you need authenticity and a plan. Find the lane where you can win and keep hitting that door until it opens.”
The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast featuring Simon Jones is available now on all major platforms.
