Training people to handle the media used to be very straightforward - it focused on improving skills for interviews in the traditional media. Today, it's far more complex.

Dark Star Media Director, Andy Hitchcock traces the journey of how we've redefined the techniques to sharpen your message and enhance engagement using adaptive techniques redefined for the digital age.

Media Training

The Challenge

You want your message to resonate with the broadest possible audience, but how can you deftly navigate the turbulent waters of modern media engagement?

Are you able to ensure your message is conveyed effectively without falling victim to oversimplification or being reduced to a decontextualised soundbite?

Are your spokespeople confident enough under pressure to deliver your message?

The Solution

Our Media Training, delivered by professional journalist trainers, is an engaging, interactive and rewarding experience.

We help you to understand how to plan and deliver a media interview, to 'road test' your media messages, we analyse and coach your delivery, as well as polishing performance on camera and on mic in a supportive and nurturing environment.

There's a raft of practical recorded exercises - and contemporary insight into the structure of the modern media landscape.

Transforming Media Skills into Business Success

Contemporary Media Training from Dark Star Media can also produce huge spin offs for other business communication with clients, customers and stakeholders.

Our techniques reveal how to focus your thoughts, offer clarity and make an impact in any situation where time is limited.

Through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, we empower you to master the art of communication in the media with confidence and impact.

Typical Training Programme

Introductions, outcomes and objectives

We start by looking at delegates’ individual experiences, gaining insight into their personal perspective. From there, we establish clear objectives, and look at how we can use the techniques we'll learn to expand our communication skills in other business arenas.

The Digital Media landscape

We explore how social media, blogs, podcasts, and digital publications have reshaped media, demanding real-time responses. We also examine how the gathering and delivery of news content has changed over the years - driven by the concept of 'Digital First'.

Core Communications Skills

We walk delegates through a clear framework with a unique preparation and delivery technique for simplifying complex information to ensure that messages resonate with diverse audiences. We show how this can help sharpen your messaging skills in meetings, with stakeholders, clients and customers. There's also guidance on handling tricky questions and making sure your message cuts through.

Being Interviewed on mic and on camera

Participants begin testing their skills in a series of hands-on practice through simulated interviews which take up the bulk of the sessions. These are replayed for detailed analysis. Trainers provide constructive feedback on content and how delegates are coming across, highlighting body language, strategy, performance as well as other non-verbal aspects of their delivery.

Multiple Practical Exercises

In a typical day's training, participants can expect to complete four distinct interviews - on camera, online, and in person. The session begins with a live radio interview, followed by a recorded TV interview, a live ‘News Channel’ online interview, and concludes with either a live TV interview or an online/print interview.

Conclusions

The training ends with a review of the day's key learnings, encouraging participants to reflect on their progress. After the session interviews are uploaded for future viewing and review - and delegates receive a comprehensive online course notes package to support their learning.

Media Training

The Challenge

The Solution

Transforming Media Skills into Business Success

Typical Training Programme

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