Where Media Meets Communication
We decided to make the most of the splendid reception at the office of our client, Central Co-op.
We had a great day working with the team, putting them through their paces and supporting them to talk about the incredible work of this 180-year-old community-based co-operative business.
We’ve been working with this retail client for 5 years.
We’ve gone through the good times and the tougher ones.
We’ve supported each other to grow as organisations.
So we were chuffed when they told us:
“Abby and Jess consistently provide clear thinking and boil down complex matters, into concise guidance.
As media trainers they are industry experts, give honest and fair feedback in a safe environment.
They are the critical friends you want on speed dial.”
Be brave…
Putting myself out there on LinkedIn does not come naturally.
I’d 100% prefer to be behind the camera.
But I also understand that sometimes you have to get outside your comfort zone.
It’s thanks to Jess Mangold who prods me, our services and clients to always be better and braver.
This photo sums up my fear and her support beautifully.
And she is probably the bravest person I know.
Busy days for Team Mangold Consultancy.
Jess Mangold and Justin Clark were in leafy North London with our client the historic Alexandra Palace and Park, delivering a workshop to evolve their use of social media to better serve their visitors.
Abby Mangold headed to sunny Westminster talking with the UK Government Communication Service, finding out more about how they are using “Assist”, the dynamic AI tool transforming government communications.
Worth noting that their Crisis Communications Planning Guide and STOP Template are a fantastic resource for anyone interested in managing crises.
30 years of friendship with this beautiful woman Aliya Vigor-Robertson.
Turns out, all these years after University, we’re basically the same people, just with a few more stories to tell.
Here’s to all the ladies rocking it as Mums to teenagers and killing it at work too.
Walking onto the set of BBC Watchdog in Television Centre in 1997 was daunting.
As a Junior Clerk my job was simple – do whatever anyone asks and do it well.
It was always fast paced and often last minute – as you would expect when producing a live, weekly, consumer affairs programme for BBC1.
As I moved up the ranks to Researcher, Assistant Producer and finally Producer/Director there were a handful of people who took the time to teach me the skills I continue using today.
Matt Allwright is the best scriptwriter I’ve ever worked with.
Producing programmes for a BBC1 audience meant making every word count and finding an engaging way to keep viewers interested.
I use those same skills every day, helping clients communicate in a crisis which ironically, is often triggered by a call from BBC Watchdog.
And I think it’s fair to say that Matt Allwright and I continue to learn from each other to this day.
Dua Lipa, Fred Again, Coldplay, Gorillaz…
Being asked to run media and presentation training for Warner Music Group is one of the most incredible starts to the year Jess Mangold and I could have asked for.
Some of our happiest times together have been rooted in our shared passion for music.
So, 2 days of training down-to-earth, music industry experts was frankly a dream come true.
Thank you to Adam Merrett and the whole team for having us.
All the best Mangold Consultancy Team
We had a great day working with the team at Alexandra Palace and Park.
So lucky to have the chance to be in such an iconic British building, steeped in so much history.
I worked with Annie Robinson from the late 90s, initially as a researcher at BBC Watchdog.
What you see with Annie, is what you get in real life. She is tough and a class act. She knows what she wants and what she doesn’t want and it’s that approach which brought her success, originally on Fleet Street (at the time a heavily male dominated world) and latterly on BBC TV.
She’s well known for her sharp wit on The Weakest Link, turning every contestant to jelly but that was nothing compared to her legendary performances on BBC Watchdog.
In every interview, she manifested the ‘killer opening question’, and I learned so much from those on camera grillings. Particularly since I sat in the chair opposite her during programme dress rehearsals, assuming the role of the company spokesperson.
During live transmission, I watched as nervous leaders tried, and often failed, to hold the corporate line.
So now I media train people to assume the unexpected from the moment they walk into the studio, or even before – remember the series The Thick of It and Nicola Murray’s faux pas as she left the national newspaper interview?!
It’s true that interview styles and approaches have changed but I wouldn’t be doing my job with clients if I didn’t channel a little of my inner Anne Robinson.
What are your favourite interview moments?
What do we actually offer?
That’s a big question that we explore often: what makes us and the business, Mangold Consultancy, different to any other crisis comms and media training consultancy?
We have many USPs but the two main ones are that we’re journalist-led and insight-driven.
Let me explain.
– With over 25 years of experience in journalism (BBC, national newspapers and regional media), social media, politics and communications, we provide unique insights into how the media works.
– We can identify and anticipate solutions to potential issues before they arise and bring a cynical journalist’s perspective to our work, always questioning communications to ensure credibility.
– Over the last decade, we’ve honed our approach based on client needs and the ever-evolving social and media landscape.
– Senior leaders find peace of mind knowing that we have faced challenging situations as both journalists and communications specialists.
– Our experience and resilience allow us to ask the tough questions necessary for complete crisis preparedness and management.
Why does this matter?
It’s a fact that no organisation is too big to get it wrong. Many of the largest ones miss the most obvious issues. Near misses and tragedies often stem from a weak culture or lack of prep.
That is why we put our all into preparation, covering every scenario to ensure our clients feel fully equipped and ready for any situation.
At Mangold Consultancy, we’re passionate about helping organisations communicate effectively and manage their reputations. Our insight-driven, journalist-led approach ensures our clients are always prepared, credible and resilient.
I’ve honed my craft working with and listening to journalists.
My most valued moments? One of them has to be working with David Frost on Breakfast With Frost.
His mantra was to ‘Make Every Word Count’.
New to BBC TV in 1997 with very little experience, I was fortunate to learn so much by being in the presence of this TV giant.
As a programme runner I got to watch him reviewing every script, red penning superfluous words. It is forever burnt into my memory.
And today preparing communications in a crisis, I remind myself to ‘be more David’ and chuck out every syllable that doesn’t reinforce what needs saying.
Where do you need to “be more David”?
Quite an odd statement to make but with all the experience I had during 15 years at the BBC and my time since then working on the other side of the media in crisis comms – I eat, sleep and breathe interviews.
My sister, Jess Mangold, is the same after years as a print journo. We’re both voracious consumers of news, media and social content.
And of course it helps growing up with a Dad in the business, where dinners are filled with ferocious debate about current affairs.
Listening to big interviews constantly, across a range of formats and setups, we digest and analyse content and ask did that work? What went wrong? Why did they approach the interview that way?
Take the infamous example of BBC Newsnight, Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew. The work put into that – the preparation by the team including the fabulous Sam McAlister, meticulously researching and investigating – made for a jaw dropping interview. It’s not about attacking the interviewee as some have done in the past, it’s all about the preparation.
I approach every challenge from the perspective of a journalist and that’s how I deliver for my clients.
I can hardly believe Mangold Consultancy is turning 10!
– It’s gone so quickly, yet it feels like “Mangold” has been a part of my life forever because so much has been achieved.
– Over the past decade, we’ve had the privilege of working with some truly incredible brands, helping them transform how they communicate and manage their reputations. From navigating challenging media landscapes to global crisis simulations, our journey has been extraordinary.
– To celebrate this milestone, we’ve put together a video that sums up the last 10 years – our achievements, challenges and the wonderful clients we’ve partnered with. I’d love you to watch and share your thoughts.
Here’s to many more years of Mangold Consultancy.
And thank you to everyone who has been a part of our story so far.
Having sent undercover BBC camera teams into food businesses and having produced many programmes on failing food and production standards, we know what visiting journalists look out for on busy production lines. And the good, the bad and the ugly discoveries that can undo reputations.
But done in the right way, inviting cameras in can be a big win. Ahead of filming for BBC Inside the Factory, we visited one client’s production floor, before the crew and host Greg Wallace arrived.
Using our documentary maker’s mindset and an experienced camera operator, we spent the day filming with each team member on location giving them on camera experience and answering questions in the busy factory.
This hugely successful British snack company knew a prime-time TV slot was a huge opportunity, requiring careful prep to showcase the brand and its people. How did we help?
As the PR and marketing lead said: “Abby and her team put everyone at ease. The thought and preparation they’d put into the session meant that we got straight on with focussing on the team and making sure they had the practice and insight they needed to speak with confidence.”
Similarly, Channel 4’s Food Unwrapped asked to film with one client in their European factory. It was not an easy decision so our client asked us to help them take their assessment to the Executive Management Team.
First we:
Next we:
The client was thrilled with the final result which showed their manufacturing standards, their people and their brand in very good light.
Undercover filming is a very different experience but whether positive or negative we know how to advise, support and work with clients to achieve the best outcome possible because we’ve been on both sides of the camera.
Picture the scene – the original BBC TV Centre, we’re hours away from the latest episode of BBC Watchdog being broadcast.
Anne Robinson and I are on the hunt for a Diet Coke as we talk strategy for the imminent live interview with a nervous company spokesperson. And then we see the ACTUAL Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones…
It was a real joy to reminisce on the Godolphin and Latymer podcast – The Pod.
Hear this and other less name-dropping stories on The Pod, Old Dolphin Network.
I’m told it’s time for a (re)introduction.
Press play and let me begin!
🤗 Huge congratulations to our 4 fabulous clients recognised as inspiring industry leaders. Well-earned, richly deserved.
👀 Discretion prevents a public shout-out, but you know who you are!
For clients on the journey to awards, our media training is still a win – why?
💭 Reconciling opposing views in the office
👊 Confidence to answer difficult questions in front of an audience
⚖ Diplomacy to find centre ground in a professional stand-off
🏋♂️ Clarity to sell strengths in a VIP meeting
👉 Media training is a recipe for success in these situations and more.
🐶 Thanks to Betsy for wearing her award with such good grace.
The good ship Mangold Consultancy continues on a strong course, thanks to the team covering my watch during a recent stay ashore!
Here are some treasures discovered on my return…
Problem: Keeping the spokesperson’s muscle flexed.
Solution: Meet our clients with a fitness mindset to media training – regular sessions to grow the muscles needed by providing current, timely and relevant insight and examples of press performance done well.
Problem: Organisations are facing increasing scrutiny from unannounced visitors demanding a big ask of frontline teams who meet them.
Solution: Provide practical ways to keep pace with changing methods of scrutiny, which reinforce reputation management and protect staff wellbeing.
PS. Time out is an excellent way to take a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings and future course. Many thanks to Jess Mangold, Estelle Kinzett, Justin Clark, Amanda Coleman and Emma Davies for your “all hands on deck” approach!
Thank you to DALL-E Open Ai for this image.
It is weeks like this which keep us chomping at the bit.
*No puppies were harmed in the making of this film. In fact, they inspired this film, just by doing what puppies do best, when presented with a bone.