Seminars

Tough Questions Under Fire

 

Media Interview Skills for Leaders in the Public Sector

Are you prepared to work effectively with the media?

The fact is that most senior managers and executives will, at one time or another in their careers, be faced with the prospect of participating in a media interview, often in times of crisis. For many, this can be a daunting, nerve-wracking experience. But it needn't be.

Tough Questions Under Fire was designed to prepare you with the practical, proven thinking and performance skills you need to assess an interview situation, prepare a simple and purposeful interview strategy, and deliver calmly and effectively in a print, radio or television interview. In this hands-on, practical training program, you'll not only learn about these tactics and strategies, but also have the opportunity to practice them in a relaxed, comfortable and informal small group setting.

Topics to be covered include:

Understanding the Media

• How the media work - basic ground rules
• Common problems encountered in media interviews
• The facts of media life: realities of news reporting
• Why you should never interview unprepared

Dealing with Reporters

• The first 10 seconds: how to respond to the reporter's initial request
• 7 things you must know before granting or refusing an interview
• Decision guidelines: when to grant, defer, refer or refuse an interview
• How to negotiate interview terms
• Why you should never speak "off the record"
• How to avoid reporter "red flags"

Preparing for the Interview

• Issues analysis: assessing key issues and internal/external stakeholder positions
• Developing an interview strategy and key messages
• Anticipating reporters' questions and developing effective responses
• Supporting your key message and building credibility
• Making your remarks instantly quotable
• How to eliminate misquotes and avoid being quoted out of context

Delivering an Effective Interview

• Interview do's and don'ts
• 8 expressions you should never use
• How to get your key points across in spite of the reporter's agenda
• How to deal with common reporters 'tricks and traps'
• How to end an interview

This workshop is being presented by Emmerson Communication , a Toronto based consulting firm specialising in public relations, journalism, corporate communications and marketing.

A certificate of attendance will be issued for 6 hours of training

For information on presenting this program on an in-house basis,
please contact Emmerson Communication via email or directly at 416-447-0881