Category: LinkedIn Posts

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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 Team 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.

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Mangold is 10 years old

Mangold Consultancy celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024.

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.

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My Anne Robinson x Ronnie Wood Sandwich…

Godolphin & Latymer The Pod

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.

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How to make someone really stop and listen

How to make someone stop and listen

How do you make people stop and listen?

After years spent preparing for interviews, both asking and answering questions. And even more following the big news interviews, I wanted to summarise what makes me really listen:

1. Paint me a picture – literally. Use language with colour, imagery and stories to help me make an emotional connection with what you are talking about.

2. Vocal power. Use your tone of voice, pauses and stress on critical words, to make it feel like you’re talking directly to me.

3. Hold my hand. Lead me through what you’re saying by keeping it simple, impactful and ultimately memorable.

Image credit: Magda Ehlers

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I hate doing video…

I hate doing video
  • I hate listening to my own voice.
  • I hate having to watch it back.

And I know lots of people feel exactly the same way.

Given that I train others how to speak on camera I’ve forced myself to take my own medicine and now – I’m actually starting to enjoy it, a little!

Here’s what I’ve learnt and what you need to know…

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Get comfortable with your sound bites

You've got no idea what you're bloody talking about!

When it comes to media training, we often see our clients fighting to convert wordy corporate messages into convincing sound bites.

So how do you get comfortable with what you’re saying?

Practice with the corporate message, a bit, and then abandon it and practice saying it like you’re talking to a friend.

Remember why you’re doing the interview – to promote, rebut or disrupt – keep a laser focus on your why, through every twist and turn of the interview.

Finally don’t be afraid to repeat yourself. Not like a parrot, but by using examples to explain your points in different ways.

Contact me if you’d like any more media training tips.

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We train award winners!

Betsy the Dog - Award Winner

🤗 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.

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Don’t be a loser

Don't be a loser

Don’t read this if you’re a loser…

Every time you stand up to present in front of peers or strangers, you should practice.

Every time you agree to talk to a journalist about you or your business you should practice.

No great presentation came from winging it.

Good interviews don’t happen by chance.

Winners practice… don’t be a loser.

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Space Shuttle Learnings

Space Shuttle - The failure to imagine the consequences of failure are catastrophic

Tell your boss to watch this Space Shuttle documentary…

📢 Are you the lone voice nudging senior colleagues about crisis planning?

🤔 Are there known issues too trifling to confront amongst all the “business as usual”?

Watch ‘The Space Shuttle that Fell To Earth’ on BBC iPlayer and tell your bosses to do the same, if you want to get crisis communications at the top of the agenda.

👍 Congratulations to Mindhouse Productions, this brilliant 3-parter, sensitively told a difficult story, which among many things shows why a culture of open communication matters. And is as important as crisis preparation.

🚀 Even if you are not in the business of space flight, speaking out, seeking answers and encouraging conversations, will help avoid issues becoming devastating crises.

And give me a shout if your crisis comms nudge could do with a shoulder.

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Thank you Leslie Nielsen (Dr Rumack) and the iconic Airplane!

I am serious… and don’t call me Shirley!

Comedy is a useful ice breaker in crisis communications planning when we ask everyone to think the worst… no… the very, very worst.

And this quote is a reminder of everything that shouldn’t happen when things get serious. Why?

  1. Doctors don’t fly planes. If you want to know who is at the helm in moments of difficulty, do the thinking before the bad stuff happens.
  2. Preparing for the worst improves the likelihood of a better outcome, I promise you it’s worth the investment.
  3. Crisis planning is seriously fun, but never funny. Being invited to join companies at the start of their crisis comms planning is the best part of our job.

If crisis comms planning is making you seriously nervous, let us help you move it off the to-do list.

https://youtu.be/Qo7qoonzTCE?si=ytI6tC5C0qYeeEXD
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Too Much Passion

Too Much Passion?

Can you have too much passion?

🏆 With awards season upon us, it is worth remembering that behind every good speech is a lot of performance.

Kate Winslet has years of acting experience to draw on.

🔓 So how do the rest of us unlock our best when presenting to others?

🌟 For me, it’s about Producing your Performance, something I learnt working with legendary BBC talent.

🎭 Kate’s passion creates an emotional reaction – even when speaking from notes – so find the passion in your presentation and take it to your audience.

And get in touch if you’re up for unlocking your presentation passion.

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Good Ship Mangold ahoy!

The Good Ship Mangold

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.