Facing the press: essential media training
This course prepares you for that most nerve-wracking of media tests: a grilling by reporters.
Taught by former Newsnight correspondent Madeleine Holt, this course will not only give delegates the tools to get their message across for newspaper and television interviews, but also to deal confidently with uncomfortable and difficult questioning.
For those in senior management - or anyone who has to be the public face of their company or organisation - this training is invaluable. It expressly aims to reduce the anxiety of going on live television and radio or being put on the spot by newspaper reporters. We can train clients either one-to-one or in a group of up to three people at a time.Madeleine Holt is a hugely experienced television reporter, who worked on the BBC's flagship current affairs programme, Newsnight, for ten years as culture correspondent. She regularly briefed Jeremy Paxman on how to extract crucial and controversial information from live interviewees, while asking tough questions herself as a reporter.
Senior managers or anyone who is going on live television or radio - either in a promotional or crisis-management situation - or having to brief newspaper reporters.
It is important that we know about the field in which the client operates, and the sort of questions they are likely to be asked by reporters and presenters. So we email them a form in advance of their training, asking them to give us the information we need to plan their course as efficiently as possible. Also, if they have already done media interviews, it is very useful for Madeleine to see examples of their work in advance.
Madeleine was culture correspondent on Newsnight for ten years. She did both investigative reports and interviews with everyone from George Clooney to Beryl Cook. She got a reputation for asking tough questions in the arts world – a sector not always used to such treatment. Her BBC career spanned 21 years. She has worked on all the main news programmes, among them Breakfast News and the main news bulletins (where she covered the death of Diana, Princess of Wales). She also worked as a business reporter and presenter for Business Breakfast and World Business Report on BBC World. She began her career in newspapers, then BBC local radio and the Today programme on Radio 4. Madeleine left the BBC in 2010 to move into reporter/presenter and media training.
Do I need to bring anything to the course?It’s advisable to bring a pen and some notepaper. Otherwise, all you need is a receptive mind and your energy and enthusiasm.
Is lunch provided?We keep you replenished with teas, coffee, biscuits and fruit. We don’t provide lunch – although there are a number of sandwich shops, cafes, restaurants close by, as well as a supermarket.
What if I have to cancel?If you cancel more than 10 working days before the course date, you will get a full refund. If you cancel with less notice, or once the course has been confirmed the full course fees are still due. We will however endeavour to get you onto to a future course as and when we have a spare space. Although this cannot be guaranteed and will usually involve you being offered the place at short notice, we have a great track record of making sure people get their training – even it takes a bit of time.
3 delegates
Times
10am - 5:30pm (Please arrive 15 minutes early on the first day for the course induction.)
Location
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be in writing and must be received at least 10 working days prior to the course date or the full fee will be charged. DV Talent reserves the right to cancel courses at any time (e.g. if there are insufficient enrolments) without liability, and delegates will be offered an alternative date or full refund. In booking a course, you are acknowledging you have read and accepted our Terms and Conditions.