Making your mark on the media means sharp thinking and considered corporate communications, both through written word and strategic live media interviews. At Pearl Comms, we have years of experience supporting clients with both their written communications, and in preparing them take their message live on air.

Addressing your audiences on live broadcast TV or radio can be daunting, but as with anything, the key to success is being prepared. One of the Midlands’ largest social housing providers, Black Country Housing Group (BCHG), approached us with one goal: to make sure the Board media-ready and prepared to tackle any eventuality.

Involved in multiple high-profile developments and regeneration projects, BCHG understood the need to solidify its media messaging and be prepared for any questions or comments a fierce interviewer may throw their way… and they came to the right place.

Despite running our media training sessions for years, every client requires bespoke preparation. Before any training is undertaken, the first step to a successful session is understanding what our client is looking to achieve: it may be crisis training – understanding how to take a potentially damaging situation and handle it in a calm, confident and compassionate manner. Others may wish to nail their messaging approach – which strategic messages align with which media moment, and how do we clearly and effectively communicate them?

The session with BCGH had three main targets:

1. Understand the role of media interviews and how to correctly approach a live broadcast scenario.
2. Be able to deliver strategic corporate communications around ongoing projects, funding, and wider policy announcements.
3. Prepare experts to successfully handle potentially tricky or contentious situations with ease and confidence.

The challenge with any training session is ensuring all parties feel both supported and challenged throughout. There are no silly questions, and it was our role to ensure the BCHG board left the session feeling well prepared to handle any situation, as and when they happen. That’s the thing with a crisis, you don’t always know when one is going to crop up.

Armed with a top team of trainers and tech, we staged a full-scale media experience day at BCHG’s head office. The session began with some hands-on theory around preparing messages, the different types of interview, what to expect from a broadcast situation and how to control the interview.  

Briefed with example scenarios, each of our delegates were primed with the opportunity to step in front of the camera and experience a “real life” interview with The Times’ Business Reporter, aka, our PR Director, Nick Brown. Not only did he give them a bit of a grilling (within reason), but this exercise helped demonstrate the importance of knowing your messages and ensuring that the delivery is spot on.  

Six hours later, BCHG Board left prepped and ready to go live on the airwaves. Each delegate was able to test their skills and boost their confidence in front of the camera, whilst learning some dos and don’ts along the way…  

Looking to take your comms to the next level and master any broadcast media opportunity that comes your way? Get in touch.