“ADVANCED” Media Training? Really?

I’m sometimes contacted by clients who say they have an exceptionally high-level spokesperson within their organisation who needs “advanced media training.” He or she holds a lofty position, is experienced and competent in delivering media interviews and needs to take things to the next level. I have learnt to proceed with caution when this is the initial brief.

Does seniority = competent spokesperson?

I mean no disrespect – but more often than not, the communications advisor has mistaken the spokesperson’s seniority for their media competence. Yes, they will get through most interviews on superior subject knowledge, and general intellect and sometimes it’s combined with a bit of charisma too – but when things are stripped back, what they are lacking isn’t a super-charged technique to manage forensic interviews – it’s actually a fundamental process to follow from the preparation phase through to the message delivery.

Getting back to basics

So often, a session which was initially framed as “advanced” ends up with the spokesperson actually re-visiting their entire approach for preparing for a media interview and adopting what is for them a new but highly effective methodology.

That’s not to say there aren’t some spokespeople who benefit from advanced sessions – because there are but it’s surprisingly rare. Honest and clear communications between media advisor and trainer in the pre-training phase is what will save time, maximise effectiveness and determine the real format required.

For a confidential, obligation free discussion regarding your organisation’s media training requirements, please feel free to contact Luke Waters directly.

Communications consultant & Media Trainer Luke Waters has completed training in Crisis Communications at University of Technology Sydney and has created a specific training course around preparing organisations and spokespeople for a cyber crisis event. Luke is ready to discuss your media training and/or crisis communications needs on a confidential, obligation free? basis.

Luke Waters | 0418 147 157 | [email protected]

Saltwater Media Solutions

About Us

Luke Waters is ?the Founding Director of Saltwater Media Solutions, and is one of Australia’s most sought-after communications consultants specialising in:

• Media Training
• Crisis Communications Training
• Executive Presentation Training

https://www.saltwatermedia.com.au/

Luke Waters

Luke is highly experienced in developing and delivering communications training across a broad range of sectors. His decades of experience in communications (both as a journalist and consultant) deliver consistent, authentic and highly effective outcomes.

Luke has qualifications and/or formal training in:

• Crisis Communications
• Risk Management
• Workplace Training & Assessment
• Journalism

Contact Luke directly for an obligation-free, confidential discussion around your training requirement.