It doesn’t take a PR catastrophe or financial collapse for a company to find itself in the media crosshairs. In today’s volatile geopolitical climate, even staying silent or failing to take a clear stance on global events can trigger intense scrutiny. This year alone, I have already supported two ad-hoc cases where perceived trivialities led to massive media interest, jeopardizing the reputations of both the CEOs and their companies. In one instance, a leader’s awkward behavior at an event was captured on video and went viral. In the other, a photo surfaced showing a CEO – unbeknownst to them – with an individual known for dubious political statements. Regardless of the specifics, one thing is certain: speed is of the essence. When a topic is current and explosive, the media cannot wait. There is very little time to prepare statements or interviews. PR teams and executives who have undergone media training are best equipped for these acute situations.
At Eye Level with Journalists
The role of the media is to examine facts critically. Their questions often target accountability, mistakes, consequences, and numbers. In my media training sessions, I prepare communicators specifically for these high-pressure situations. I provide an understanding of how the media works and the nuances of different interview formats. Fundamentally, it is about delivering your own messages credibly and with control, even under duress. To be clear: not every question must be answered. However, from my perspective, the goal of media training should never be to stonewall topics entirely or to churn out empty phrases. The focus is always on respectful cooperation with journalists. Furthermore, unnatural or forced behavior only serves to diminish personal credibility.
Core Objectives of Media Training:
– Developing and Sharpening Core Messages: You will learn to formulate your most important statements structurally and use them intentionally, rather than getting lost in the weeds when answering questions.
– Handling Interviews Under Pressure: Using specific response techniques, you will practice maintaining calm and clarity, even when faced with unforeseen or provocative questions.
– Adopting a Professional Stance: We focus on how language, tone of voice, gestures, and facial expressions can help emphasize your statements.
– Managing Stress and Stage Fright: You will gain confidence through video analysis and simulations of real-world interview scenarios.
Individual and Group Training
We offer both confidential, tailored individual coaching sessions as well as group training for your team at our agency. Are you interested? Please contact me via email at ([email protected]). We would be happy to provide you with a non-binding proposal.
