Tag: journalist

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Media training unfairly gets a bad rep

Tony Blair and Jess Mangold

Media training unfairly gets a bad rep.

Why?

Because of the reputation of trainers who choose intimidation and aggressive tactics leaving leaders scared to speak.

Actually with this approach, everyone loses:

– the public who rightly expect to hear from those responsible when something goes wrong
– the comms team
– the spokespeople themselves

Our media training is supportive and empowering, it’s not always an easy ride but it will give you confidence.
And we do it like this because we know exactly what it’s like to be on both sides of the microphone.

Like Jess Mangold here, interviewing then Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

If speaking to a journalist feels daunting, you’re not prepared. Let’s change that.

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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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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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The Business of Local Newspapers

The Business of Local Newspapers

Local newspapers have long teetered on the edge of survival, at risk of relegation to a picture postcard England past, where cub reporters cover village fetes, write the splash on local crime and all before tea time. So the announcement that local publisher Johnston Press is being bought out has triggered further analysis on the future for local news. Facebook has stepped up with a suspiciously well time announcement of £4.5m, to hire and train 80 people as community reporters. Johnston Press is reportedly one of three local publishers in conversation with the social media giant.  Continue reading “The Business of Local Newspapers”

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Mangold Consultancy just got a new Mangold!

Jess Mangold

Very excited to welcome Jess Mangold as a Director, bringing a fresh and complimentary set of skills and experience to Mangold Consultancy.

Jess’ has a brilliant combination of journalism and communications experience.  A trained newspaper journalist who has worked across daily regional and national print titles, she’s also got a mean black book.  Continue reading “Mangold Consultancy just got a new Mangold!”