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Taking my own medicine: The Navigating Crisis Comms panel

Abby Mangold at The Media Society's Navigating Crisis Comms panel at The Conduit

Taking my own medicine…

In April I took part in The Media Society’s Navigating Crisis Comms panel. It was pleasure to sit alongside Anoushka Mutanda Dougherty, Scott Langham and Simon McCoy who was chairing.

We took a deep dive into crisis, media & social media with some interesting and pertinent anecdotes from the whole panel.

Like many of the people we train, I also get nerves in the run-up to speaking. But I’m happy to report that lots of preparation (including being grilled by my teenage kids the night before) and some focused breathwork meant I thoroughly enjoyed the whole event.

Thanks also to Nigel Dacre, Sue Ellis, Alex Sinker, and Asha de Lanerolle at The Conduit for looking after all of us.

 

If you’d like to hear more about how we help people prepare for high-pressure conversations, whether that’s a panel, a press interview or a crisis, get in touch or find out more about our media training.

Join the discussion on LinkedIn »

 

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What my father taught me about media interview preparation

Tom Mangold & Abby Mangold

My Dad, Tom Mangold, always said, “When I sit down in the chair opposite the interviewee, I need to know even more than they do.”  That is something he did, and it’s the standard I bring to media interview preparation today.

He spent decades as an investigative journalist with BBC Panorama. Working on the kind of stories that took months, even years to produce.

I grew up watching him prepare. Files everywhere. Notes covering every surface. Questions written, rewritten, scenarios mapped out. He’d know the story better than the person who’d lived it.

It’s not about catching people out. It’s about knowing the facts.

When you know the subject as he did, the interview changes. You’re not fishing. You’re not guessing. You’re having a conversation with someone who can tell you’re not winging it.

The people I work with now, executives preparing for media interviews, spokespeople getting ready for a crisis often ask how much preparation is enough.

I tell them what I watched my father do for 40 years.

You prepare until you know it better than the journalist sitting opposite you.

Not to control the conversation. To be credible in it.

That’s the difference between someone who sounds like they’re following a script and someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.
Preparation isn’t about perfect answers.

It’s about understanding the story so well that you can have a real conversation about it.

My father knew that. It’s why journalists trusted him, and why the people he interviewed, even when the questions were difficult, respected the process.

The best interviews aren’t performances. They’re conversations between two people who’ve both done their homework.

If your spokespeople need to walk into an interview knowing the story better than the journalist does, that’s exactly what we help build. Get in touch to find out more about our media training and presentation skills sessions.

Join the discussion on LinkedIn »

 

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Understanding crisis communication from a journalist’s perspective

PR Week - Burson Marsteller appoints Watchdog producer for crisis comms

Year: 2012. When I made the jump from BBC to crisis communications.

15 years producing undercover investigations for programmes like Watchdog taught me how journalists think, how they work and what they’re looking for when they ask questions.

That’s the foundation of everything I do now. Training spokespeople isn’t about teaching them to dodge questions, it’s about understanding what’s coming and being prepared for it.

The best crisis communicators I work with think like journalists. They know what the story is before the reporter does. They anticipate the follow-up questions. They understand what will get used and what won’t.

That doesn’t come from reading a media training handbook. It comes from knowing how the other side operates.

I’ve now run Mangold Consultancy for over a decade, but this is still where it all started: understanding crisis communication from the journalist’s perspective first.

If you’d like your spokespeople to think the way journalists do, not just prepare for them, get in touch to find out how our media training works, or learn more about the team behind Mangold Consultancy.

Join the discussion on LinkedIn »

 

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Walking a half marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support

Abby Mangold and Betsy at Old Harry Rocks

Last month Jess and I took part in a (walking!) half marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Jess inspired me to take part in the Thames Path Mighty Hike after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025.

She received brilliant care and treatment is going well, she is thriving. This walk is to celebrate her brave journey over the past year and to say thank you to the people and organisations who continue to help her and others facing cancer.

Today, almost 3.5 million people in the UK are living with cancer, a figure that’s growing steadily. Macmillan’s goal is to be there from diagnosis through every step of the journey.

As part of my preparation for the event, my gorgeous Betsy (pictured) and I walked the stunning 15 mile round trip from Bournemouth to Old Harry Rocks. I won’t lie, the last 3 miles – into the wind on the beach were tough but we made it.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated. If you would like to make a donation, please follow the link below.

 

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What 15 years at the BBC taught me about crisis communications

Abby Mangold Media Interview

I spent 15 years at the BBC making undercover programmes like Watchdog, before moving into crisis communications.

Programmes that required journalists and lawyers and Directors of Communications all wanting different things. All under deadline pressure. All wanting to protect something – the story, the legal position, the organisation.

That’s not so different from crisis communications. You’re just wearing different hats.

The undercover work taught me how to stay calm when things are moving fast. How to manage difficult conversations with people who are angry or scared. How to balance competing interests when there’s no perfect answer.

In a crisis, you need both sides. You need the journalist’s instinct to know what the real story is. And you need the comms person’s discipline to think about how it lands with your audience.

 

Curious about the team behind Mangold Consultancy and how that background shapes our approach to crisis work? Get in touch, or find out more about our crisis management services.

Join the discussion on LinkedIn »

 

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Are our people ready? Why practical preparation is vital for spokespeople

Abby Mangold of Mangold Consultancy

I’ve been doing this work for over 25 years now, and the conversations I have with new clients almost always start with the same question: “Are our people ready?”

They ring because something is happening or about to happen that needs a spokesperson.

  • A product launch.
  • A difficult announcement.
  • An interview opportunity.
  • Sometimes a crisis that’s already started.

And the underlying question is always: “Are our people ready for this?”

Not “do they have the key messages.”

Are they ready? Can they handle the difficult questions without sounding evasive? Do they know where a journalist is heading before they get there? Can they sound like themselves under pressure not like a script?

If the answer to any of those is “I’m not sure,” that’s when we start working together.

Most of the work I do falls into three areas.

  • Media training preparing spokespeople to handle interviews, difficult questions and high-pressure moments without sounding robotic or exposed.
  • Crisis communications working alongside leadership teams when something has happened that needs managing carefully and quickly.
  • Executive profiling helping senior leaders find their voice, which holds up under scrutiny.

It’s not theoretical work.

Instead, it’s practical, it’s rehearsal, it’s watching yourself back and seeing exactly what needs fixing before the moment actually matters.

If you’re in that position, where you’ve got people who need to be ready and you’re not entirely sure they are, that’s the work we do.

And it’s worth getting it right.

If you have an upcoming announcement or a difficult conversation on the horizon, don’t leave your reputation to chance. Explore our corporate communications services to see how we can help your leaders find their voice.

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Crisis comms sisters: Our superpowers at work

Abby and Jess Mangold - Crisis Comms Sisters

2 sisters working together?

Crisis superpowers, journalistic expertise, snacks 🥜

This is how Jess Mangold and I make it work…

Jess on Abby – “She puts people at ease within seconds, finding common ground and camaraderie, even in high-pressure crisis situations”

“Seamless makeup application for being on camera. What she doesn’t know about this topic is not worth worrying about.”

“Bringing and holding people together in a crisis, uniting individuals and the group. It’s her crisis communications superpower.”

Abby on Jess – “Her prep is second to none. Training notes, research, making time to practice – you name it, she’s prepped!”

“Snacks! Jess is not one to go hungry, so she avoids team energy dips by always having a healthy snack squirrelled away in her backpack.”

“She’s great at remembering reports she’s read, or experiences as a journalist; neatly sliding them into conversations with clients to add colour and demonstrate our expertise.”

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Pretty proud of this one

Pretty Proud: Abby Mangold & Jess Mangold: "They are the critical friends you want on speed dial"

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.”

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Be brave

Be Brave - Abby Mangold & Jess Mangold

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.

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Busy days for Team Mangold Consultancy

Jess Mangold, Justin Clark & Abby Mangold

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.

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Two friends talk parenting & business

Two friends talk parenting and business

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.

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What did dodgy washing machines & Matt Allwright teach me?

Matt Allwright & Abby Mangold

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.

  • Where I used 20 words, he could say it in 10.
  • Where I struggled with structuring a 5 minute film, he knew the narrative before I’d put pen to paper.
  • Where I battled to make broken washing machines look sexy – he always had a clever, and often funny, treatment.

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.

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A dream come true – training music industry experts

Music Industry Training with Warner Music Group

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.

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The rain actually stopped!

Rain stopped play at Alexandra Palace and Park

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.

Abby and Jess Mangold at Alexandra Palace and Park

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What I learned from Anne Robinson…

Anne Robinson

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?

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What do we really offer?

Mangold Consultancy Crisis Simulation Meeting

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.

Journalist-led:

– 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.

Insight-driven:

– 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.

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What David Frost taught me

David Frost

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”?

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Journalism runs in our blood

Abby Mangold and Jess Mangold in meeting

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.