Media Training (TV, Radio, Press)
Our Distinctive Approach
Our approach to media training is constructive it is designed
to increase familiarity, skills and confidence in media
interviews. We build confidence and skill levels by starting
with an understanding of the environment and the fundamental
reasons for media interviewers’ positions. We gently
increase the difficulty level through the training.
Typically we use a well known TV journalist to carry out
realistic interviews.
Clients tell us that after our training they see media
appearances as opportunities to impress rather than
necessary evils to be endured.
Benefits and Needs
A major benefit of appearing in the media, especially on
TV, is the opportunity to leave an audience with
an impression of what you are like as a person. If you do
not take that opportunity, the value of your personal
appearance is greatly diminished. We are equally able to
deal with the full range of client abilities, from worst to
best, and often find it is the better people going in who
get the most from what we do. We have very experienced media
interviewers who can use a variety of different styles to
meet the varied needs of your people.
Location
At your offices means minimum "down time"; going off site
means minimal distraction; and at the TV studio means
maximum training effect.
Studios cost more, but the extra benefits are
significant. Learning about the environment is half of the
work, and if you are to face direct hostile questions, you
must be comfortable with the feel of a studio. A greater
sense of realism makes the training more focused, and
reduces surprises when clients go to actual interviews. The
heat, the buzz and the technology can intimidate unprepared
people. We can mimic some of these features without a
studio where budgets are limited.
Personality Change
Most people have pre-conceptions about what should and
should not be done when being interviewed. We believe that
you should do exactly what puts you at ease. Nearly all
media interviewees are victims of "Jekyll and Hyde"
syndrome, completely changing personality. They are no
longer the relaxed, articulate people they were five minutes
before the interview! Our job is to eliminate that
personality change. We show you how to "be yourselves at
your best".
Who Should be Trained?
It is only cost-effective for clients who are the media
representatives of their firm to be groomed for media
interviews. Few corporate spokespeople actually appear on TV
or radio, so media training should be strictly limited to
those who are likely to be interviewed, and anyone who
supports that function. It is important for these people to
have recurrent training, in order to maintain a high level
of performance, and to be media-ready on topical issues. |