Our Dad, Tom Mangold, gives a unique explainer on why today’s media and journalism needs to adjust.
Tom Mangold: “If a bear sh*ts in the woods…”
The best thing about a great interview
The journalist does their homework. For a great interview, the interviewee must do theirs.
This is why every spokesperson should do their prep.
Truth in the media… and where to find it
Abby Mangold speaking with Journalist Tom Mangold about truth in the media and where to find it.
Can we trust anyone in the media in 2025?
Why this veteran journalist says Media Training is ESSENTIAL
Being interviewed isn’t as easy as it sounds. And media training always helps.
Here’s a candid explainer on one approach to media training with Tom Mangold.
This is Tom Mangold
Tom Mangold is an award-winning journalist and author.
Reporter on circa 120 episodes of BBC Panorama.
He’s 90 and STILL working
He cycles every day
At his heart, this man is a journalist. And he’s also our Dad.
Earlier this year I asked people what they’d like to ask him. It felt like the right time to put HIM in the hot seat for a change.
So, we sat down and discussed – media, truth, interviews, social platforms, crisis.
To kick things off, here’s his take on his craft.
So you’re new to speaking to the media… this one’s for you!
So you’re new to speaking to the media…this one’s for you!
Lessons from Media Training and all the newbies out there.
Where our love of music and media training collides
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.
Media training bloopers!
A couple of bloopers…
This one is for all the wonderful people we train who worry about making mistakes when presenting or being interviewed.
It happens to all of us!
A splendid reception for media training at Central Co-op!
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.
Pretty proud of this one
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.”
They say never work with animals, kids and family
They say never work with animals, kids and family.
Well I broke all those rules when I interviewed my Dad, Tom Mangold, with a cameo by Zak!
Thanks to everyone who suggested questions to ask this ‘veteran broadcaster’!
Jess Mangold and I are busy editing together the highlights, more to come very soon…
Someone just told me media training is easy
My thoughts after it was suggested to me recently that running media training is easy.
Tom Mangold has worked in media for 70+ years – what would you ask him?
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!
Tips to boost business confidence
2025 is going to be tough.
So business confidence really matters.
Here are some of my thoughts as a business owner following a challenging report from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
I’m happy to talk to you for free if you need it, just get in touch.
A dream come true – training music industry experts
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.
What keeps you awake at night?
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
What is retained crisis communications support?
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
What kind of journalist were you?
Jess and I are often asked this.
People’s interest veers between fascination and horror. I am hugely proud of these roots and the lessons I earned, such as…
• People love being asked about themselves. Thoughtfully chosen, well-timed questions allow people to share something about themselves, cracking open a door to their world.
And with the privilege of being invited in…
• it pays to listen closely. The tone of voice, the pace at which they speak. These are as important to what someone is saying as the words they use.
• And with that always ask the obvious – who, what, when, where, why, how – sometimes twice to be sure you have truly understood.
Every journalism job added to the skills I use in crisis communications and media training now.
And I was pretty chuffed to make it into the papers myself once while filming for a BBC Airport special from Edinburgh Festival!
45+ spokespeople and counting
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.
Manchester photo by William McCue Unsplash
What if you’re 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