The Media Landscape

Media First  are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Apologies – or the lack of them – never seem to drift too far from the top of the media agenda.   Accountability matters whether it is a business or an individual. But all too often, ‘sorry’ seems to be the hardest word to say.   The latest evidence of this is provided by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who created a media training case study on how not to handle an interview when under scru...

The new year is supposed to be a time of new starts. But Boeing has found itself facing a familiar PR and crisis media management headache at the beginning of 2024. The company’s reputation was again forced into a tailspin when part of the fuselage – known as a door plug – tore off while the aircraft was travelling at around 16,000 feet. It's the latest instalment in a damaging and long-runni...

How can you tell that a spokesperson has given a great media interview? Well, if the journalist replies to one of their answers with “gosh”, it could be a clue they have done an excellent job. That’s what happened at the end of an interview that grabbed our attention this week. To read the original article this audio blog was created from, click here . Media First  are media and communications tra...

It’s almost the time of year when we review the best and worst interviews of the past 12 months. The list has been compiled (and we’ve checked it twice) ahead of our masterclass in December, which you can register for here .   And then along comes a late entry. To read the original article this audio blog was created from, click here Media First  are media and communications training specialists w...

Do you remember the CEO who gave an emotional press conference when her business was at the centre of a massive data breach?   Well, whether it’s just unlucky or accident-prone, barely a year after the worst data breach in Australian history, Optus and Kelly Bayer Rosmarin are back in the crisis communication spotlight.   The telecommunications company’s frail reputation has been further battered...

Have you heard the story of the driver who was ‘kidnapped’ by his electric car? The gripping tale of the runaway car that ran red lights and roundabouts before being rammed by a police van has been everywhere. It has featured in national newspapers, websites and radio programmes. And it offers some media training lessons. To read the original article this audio blog was created from, click here ....

You don’t have to be the biggest football fan to know there has been a lot of controversy recently.   “Significant human error” resulted in a perfectly good goal being ruled out in a showpiece match between Tottenham and Liverpool.   That mistake has filled airtime, column inches, social media channels and WhatsApp feeds.   Then, just as it seemed the story might be running out of impetus, a key f...

Radio can grab attention like nothing else.   When a spokesperson delivers a compelling interview, people quickly switch from hearers to listeners.   But the same is also true of spokespeople who deliver poor interviews.   And there was an interview on LBC last week that grabbed our attention for all the wrong reasons.   To read the original article this audio blog was created from, click here . M...

So, there is another ‘cake gate’ crisis. And this one doesn’t involve a Prime Minister and lockdown restrictions. Instead, former Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley has found herself at the centre of a viral scandal, numerous damaging headlines and unwanted press attention over what has been dubbed ‘cake-gate’. And, as providers of crisis communication training, we think there are lesso...

There are many ways a media interview can veer off track. Having too many messages, failing to prepare, using jargon, being evasive and losing your cool when faced with challenging questions are some ways an interview can start to go wrong. But what about when a spokesperson starts to ask the journalist questions? To read the original article this audio blog was created from, click here . Media Fi...

It is a question increasingly being asked amid accusations of posturing for profit and virtue signalling. And a recent story that has received plenty of attention has brought it to the forefront again. While much of Europe has been affected by soaring temperatures and wildfires led to holidaymakers being evacuated in some countries, the banking affairs of former MEP have gripped UK headlines. To r...

Imagine if your approach to a media interview was described as ‘wasting airtime’.   Or if the presenter wrapped it up by saying, “It is an interesting policy – even if we don’t quite understand it.”    And the newspaper reports that followed suggested you have been ‘skewered’.    With feedback like this it’s easy to understand why media spokespeople need ongoing support and media training ahead of...

It is a story that has grabbed the headlines. It has trended on social media. And has seen interventions by politicians. So, what can we learn from it?  To read the original article this audio blog was created from, click here . Media First  are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working a...

We’ve been talking a lot lately about podcasts . As well as guiding you through how to get started with your podcast, we’ve also explored how to prepare spokespeople to appear on this format. And, if you needed any evidence of why that preparation is so crucial, an interview that grabbed our attention provided the perfect example. To read the original article this audio blog was created from, clic...

We watch and listen to a lot of media interviews and public appearances.   There are always media training and public speaking lessons people can learn from them.   And this week has been particularly memorable, with the comments made by several spokespeople grabbing headlines, dominating social media and even impacting share prices.   To read the original article this audio blog was created from...

Media First  are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Media First  are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Media First  are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

To make the most of media opportunities and raise your company's profile, you need spokespeople who can communicate your message with clarity, confidence and composure. To do that, even the most experienced spokespeople require plenty of support.   Much of that support comes from realistic media training that prepares them for the different challenges posed by broadcast, print and online inte...

Media First  are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Strong public speaking skills are increasingly crucial. They can help motivate people, inform, persuade and influence.    They can also help with career advancement. And speaking at events can help position you as a thought leader.    But few people enjoy public speaking.   Speaking to a live audience can feel nerve-wracking and invoke imposter syndrome feelings.    The good news is you can develo...

If you follow us on LinkedIn or TikTok you may have seen some posts containing examples of infamous interviews and the lessons you can learn from them.   The ones shared so far include Robert Downey Jnr walking out of a Channel 4 interview, the PR manager of S Club 7 storming on set and ending an interview over a question about money and the boss of a water firm providing an example of how not man...

Most of us had probably given This Morning little thought before. After all, it’s on when we are working. But it has been hard to escape during the past few weeks of intense speculation, revelations and rolling coverage? What can brands learn from the crisis?  To read the original article this audio blog was created from click here .  Media First  are media and communications training specialists...

We know you understand the main benefits of media training . It helps your spokespeople communicate with clarity and confidence, making the most of media opportunities and giving attention-grabbing interviews. They learn practical techniques to answer difficult questions from journalists and bring messages to life in a way that resonates with the audience and compels them to take action. It helps...