Media Training

Henry Kissinger once began a press conference asking, “Do you have any questions for my answers?” The joke got a good laugh, but the subtle message — that the secretary of state was always prepared for the media — is something every business executive should heed. Why is this so critical? Because oftentimes reporters come into interviews with agendas. They have the story written in their heads before they ask the first question. If you let them, the media will lead you down the primrose path, extracting from you quotes and information that don’t support your objectives or, worse, make you or your company look bad. Fortunately, Hayslett Group understands the Fourth Estate. A number of our seasoned practitioners once worked as reporters. We understand the mind of the reporter and what drives news coverage. In our tailored media-training sessions, we coach your executives on message development and delivery. We delve into what’s news and what’s not. We teach the do’s and don’ts of dealing with reporters, covering such topics as “off the record,” “deep background” and “no comment.” As part of our media training, we develop business scenarios that help prepare you for the real-life situations you’re likely to encounter in your industry. We conduct on-camera interviews to critique then hone your skills. We teach you how to handle the tough questions, and how to bridge from non-productive chatter or speculative questions to the key points you want to get across. Return to Services