Category: LinkedIn Posts

Posted on

Where our love of music and media training collides

Music fans Abby Mangold & Jess Mangold

Thank you to all those speaking out about AI in the creative industries with the hashtag #MakeItFair campaign.

Your diverse views are transforming technical stuff into human speak, clearly explaining what this technology is and why it matters to artists and fans alike.

When we first started working with music industry leaders a few years ago, the position on AI was still evolving and the language to make it understandable to everyone was something we discussed at length in media training.

Since then IFPI has joined with others, including PPL, to speak about the threat to creative livelihoods and Warner Music Group is among the world’s largest music companies backing a campaign that opposes the UK government’s AI copyright exception proposal.

Musician Paul McCartney and Gina Neff, Professor of Responsible AI at Queen Mary University – just some of the names recently making their case across multiple front pages and broadcast bulletins.

As a music fan I care deeply about this issue.

As a media trainer, I am hugely impressed by those taking the time and thought to tell this story.

Posted on

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.”

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Spoiler alert. Crises are nothing like disaster movies

Disaster Movie. Photo Credit:IGN

Spoiler alert. Crises are nothing like disaster movies.

Disasters (unlike the Rock) don’t fall out of the sky.

99% emerge from issues which have been bubbling for some time. People are aware and assume someone else will fix it or it will ‘just go away’.

Surprise – there are no silver bullets (or the Rock suddenly appearing to save the day). Solutions come step-by-step, from the A – Z of preparation and a tonne of hard work in ‘peacetime’.

Real heroes don’t look like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Well, some might but universally heroes are the people doing their jobs well, who know their organisation and have the empathy and communication skills needed to act in difficult situations.

Full transparency I’m a huge disaster movies fan (nothing to do with the Rock)

Photo Credit: IGN

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Tom Mangold has worked in media for 70+ years – what would you ask him?

Abby & Tom Mangold

This is my Dad, Tom Mangold.

  • He’s an award-winning journalist and author.
  • Reporter on circa 120 episodes on BBC Panorama.
  • He’s 90 and STILL working.
  • He cycles every day.
  • He continues to inspire me and our work at Mangold Consultancy.

If you asked him, he’d tell you I stole everything I know from him. I will neither confirm nor deny this.

I’m going to film interview content with Dad and share it online.

We tend to talk about:

  • the state of journalism and television
  • crisis communications
  • media interviews
  • “news” on Social Media
  • rubbish spokespeople

Watch this space for unique insight from someone who has worked in the media industry for more than 70 years!

Posted on

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.

Posted on

The bravery of those who speak out against appalling behaviour

ITV News uncovers multiple claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour by Gino D'Acampo

For the last couple of months I’ve been supporting a close friend as she worked with Sejal Karia and the team at ITV News to reveal the appalling behaviour of Gino D’Acampo.

Some of her friends and family told her not to take part, that it might ruin her career, that it was too risky. If I’m honest that was my initial reaction too.

But as we talked and reflected on the disgusting comment he made to her as she was trying to do her job in the early 10s, I realised that I needed to support my friend with whatever decision she made.

We need to stand with the people who are brave enough to call out these ‘celebrities/talent’ who think they can get away with behaving anyway they want.

And we need journalists and producers working tirelessly for months to gather the evidence to tell these stories, despite the constant threat of legal action if they publish anything.

Thank you to all the people brave enough to call out these perpetrators.

Reference image from ITV News report “ITV News uncovers multiple claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour by Gino D’Acampo“ February 2025

Posted on

What keeps you awake at night?

What keeps you awake at night. Photo by cottonbro studio at Pexels

It is never easy asking people this question when you meet for the first time.

But tasked with writing the crisis communications guidelines for new clients, we have to take the plunge, so we know early on where they could be exposed from a reputational perspective.

4 years on from asking one client this question, we are their retained crisis communications agency, available 24/7 responding to calls, and working with the whole team to test and reinforce their crisis communications protocols.

Tough questions = good results.

Photo by cottonbro studio at Pexels

Posted on

We all learn from mistakes

Learn from mistakes. Photo by Luis Cortes on Unsplash

So here are some errors in crisis communications that we’ve seen:

• A 9-5 mindset: Crisis management is round-the-clock. Use peacetime to prep and improve how you manage a crisis.

• Fear of asking the obvious: Who, what, when, where, why. If any of this is unclear then ask. Often other people have the same questions.

• Slow sign-off: The bigger the business the greater the challenge. To avoid approvals becoming a bottleneck, nominate who is signing off and stick to it!

• No clear crisis comm process: Without it, you’re playing catch-up and reacting rather than managing the situation.

Address these, and you’ll be better equipped to handle crises with confidence.

Photo by Luis Cortes on Unsplash

Posted on

What is retained crisis communications support?

What is retained crisis communications support? Photo Vlad Deep at Unsplash

Our team is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

We are hands-on in a crisis: using 20+ years in national journalism, global crisis communications and social media expertise.

AND, if you remain crisis-free we use your retainer to grow team resilience, since any time not used for actual live crises goes toward preparation.

You can choose from

• workshops to assess reputational risks
• crisis simulations to test your team and processes in a safe space
• media training on camera
• social media management to handle challenges online

Retained crisis communications support = knowing you and your team are prepared for the unexpected.

Photo Vlad Deep at Unsplash

Posted on

Learning to face the unexpected

Abby Mangold presenting to clients

Having worked on multiple crises, I now accept I will always face the unexpected.

And in the most serious crisis, even experienced ‘crisis mature’ teams need guidance. What do I remind them about?

• The good – zero in on the basics, ensure up-to-date contact lists and access to all communication channels. With little notice small tasks make a big difference.

• The bad – hone in on detail at the expense of the big picture. Details matter, nominate someone to confirm the specifics. You must assess the immediate impact of the crisis, while keeping the long-term reputational effects in clear view.

• The ugly – collapse into a fit of jargon and industry speak at your peril. In a crisis people need to see people. Be human.

Posted on

45+ spokespeople and counting

Manchester photo by William McCue Unsplash

In the five years since we started media training one client, they have invited us to lead sessions with:

• 47 people
• in three UK offices including Manchester
• plus virtual meetings from mainland Europe
• on a multitude of corporate, legal and financial matters

It is the clients we know best who keep us on our toes!

We love learning from them while sharing our knowledge to bring their professional expertise to life for the press.

Abby & Jess Mangold in Manchester

Manchester photo by William McCue Unsplash

Posted on

What if you’re faced with a megalomaniacal spokesperson?

What if you are faced with a megalomaniacal spokesperson?

What if this megalomaniacal spokesperson won’t listen to your advice about managing a media interview?

Even seasoned spokespeople recognise the benefits of new tips and practice for media presence and interview skills.

Here’s how to make the case to your spokesperson if your comms advice is challenged:

-The competition for airtime is fierce and your time is precious. A few rehearsals now will save huge amounts of time over the medium to long term and reinforce your profile as a great spokesperson.

-You are a seasoned pro and your objective is to ensure your message reaches your audience. Trying new ways of delivering your message helps you be heard and understood by more people.

-You are setting an example for others. By making time for media training, you demonstrate the value of preparing for the press.

Can you risk colleagues going on the record without media training first?

Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash