It’s everyone’s worst nightmare. You’re in the middle of a presentation or coming to a critical point in a media interview, and suddenly your mind goes blank.

What on earth were you going to say? Where are you going with this? What the heck comes next?

During our media and presentations training courses, delegates often ask: “What do I do if my mind goes blank?”

In this blog that has been converted to audio, we look at why our brains can sometimes switch off at vital moments.

And we explore how you can overcome this common problem and get your media interview and presentation back on track. 

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

It’s probably a scenario familiar to many of you who work in comms or media.

Your pitch has gained a journalist’s attention. Great publicity and widespread coverage are only an interview away.

The only problem is the spokesperson has got cold feet and doesn’t want to be interviewed. Or they’ve stopped returning your calls.

It is a situation many of us in comms, media and PR have experienced. And is one that always leaves us with our heads in our hands.

In this blog that has been converted to audio, we explore how you can persuade reluctant media spokespeople.

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

On our media training courses, we regularly talk about the power and importance of examples in media interviews.

And there is little doubt they enhance interviews, regardless of whether they are for television, radio or print.

Not only do they add credibility to proceedings, but they also bring messages to life, help influence the direction of the conversation and enable the spokesperson to connect with the audience.

But not just any examples.

In this blog that has been converted to audio, we explore the value of personal stories. And discuss why it is crucial spokespeople and comms teams agree on how much of themselves they are prepared to share in interviews.

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Authenticity has become something of a buzzword in recent times.

It is a term applied to just about everything, from authentic leaders and marketing to, authentic furniture and clothing.

Although everyone seems to seek authenticity, few people can define what it is.

Look it up in the dictionary, and you will find terms like ‘genuine’, ‘accurate’, ‘reliable’ and ‘not a copy’.

When applied to people, it seems best defined as ‘being yourself’. But when it comes to media interviews it is not as simple as that.

In this blog that has been converted to audio, we look at what it means to be an authentic media spokesperson. 

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

We’ve already reached the final episode of the first series of The Media Landscape. 

Please let us know what you thought about these past 10 episodes by emailing James and Julia at [email protected]

To round up this series, Julia Belle looks at the latest developments surrounding the Royal Family, after a week in which Prince Andrew settled his sexual abuse lawsuit and police announced they were investigating Prince Charles’ charity.

She also looks at Big Jet TV – the channel that gripped the nation amid the Storm Eunice battering – and discusses the rise of wholesome, geeky content. 

And she is joined by Adam Fisher for the ‘Journo on the go’ section to discuss Elon Musk’s latest self-induced social media storm.

Please check out our sponsor – Media First – who provide bespoke media and communications training. You can learn more about them at www.mediafirst.co.uk

The Media Landscape is produced by Thirty Seven – a journalist-led content marketing agency. Check them out at www.thirtyseven.agency

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

In this, the penultimate episode of Series 1 of The Media Landscape, Julia Belle looks at the resignation of Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick and the challenges the service faces in rebuilding public trust.

Julia also explores Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream receiving criticism from its owners Unilever about its latest political post and whether the brand will now stop discussing issues where it ‘lacks expertise’.

And she looks at whether the decision by the boss of the Co-op to take unpaid leave to help her sons through their exams could see the brand face some difficult questions.

Sports journalist Tom Clayton joins Julia Belle to discuss the story of footballer Kurt Zouma and the distressing viral video of him kicking a cat. Are there different rules for footballers than other members of the public?

Please check out our sponsor – Media First – who provide bespoke media and communications training. You can learn more about them at www.mediafirst.co.uk

The Media Landscape is produced by Thirty Seven – a journalist-led content marketing agency. Check them out at www.thirtyseven.agency

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Welcome to the latest episode of The Media Landscape.

This week, Julia Belle looks at M&S and Aldi making peace over the cake war and what made the story grab so much attention.

Julia also discusses the Bank of England governor’s ‘don’t ask for a pay rise’ call.

And she explores whether rugby missed an opportunity to show it is an inclusive sport.

Julia is joined this week by TV and radio broadcaster Alex Morgan for the Journo on the Go segment to look at the Downing Street resignations, whether the Prime Minister is losing control and the mood around Westminster. 

You can read more about the background to the cake conflict story in this blog https://www.mediafirst.co.uk/blog/caterpillar-conflict-what-can-we-learn-from-the-legal-battle-gripping-the-nation/

Please check out our sponsor – Media First – who provide bespoke media and communications training. You can learn more about them at www.mediafirst.co.uk

The Media Landscape is produced by Thirty Seven – a journalist-led content marketing agency. Check them out at www.thirtyseven.agency

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Welcome to the latest episode of The Media Landscape.

This week Julia Belle looks at the trust issues surrounding the Met Police after it changed its mind over partygate and the surprising lack of awareness about major changes to the Highway Code.

She also discusses how a former government adviser boosted visitor numbers at a UK tourist attraction.

Julia is joined this week by Media First’s content editor Adam Fisher for the Journo on the Go segment. They discuss Spotify’s PR headache after Neil Young pulled his music from the streaming giant amid concerns about covid misinformation.

And they look at the phrase that saw a spokesperson go viral.

Please check out our sponsor – Media First – who provide bespoke media and communications training. You can learn more about them at www.mediafirst.co.uk

The Media Landscape is produced by Thirty Seven – a journalist-led content marketing agency. Check them out at www.thirtyseven.agency

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Welcome to the latest episode of The Media Landscape.

Amid another turbulent week in Downing Steet, you won’t be surprised that Julia looks at the latest goings-on with ‘partygate’ and the Prime Minister’s battle to avoid accountability.

She also looks at how Nestle found itself in hot water and its jarring “we apologise if” response.

And she asks whether a bid to cull train ‘Tannoy’ spam will hit the buffers.

Julia is joined this week by Lawrence McGinty, the former Science and Medical Editor for ITV News, for a look at whether the easing of covid restrictions happened too soon and what stories are around the corner.

Please check out our sponsor – Media First – who provide bespoke media and communications training. You can learn more about them at www.mediafirst.co.uk

The Media Landscape is produced by Thirty Seven – a journalist-led content marketing agency. Check them out at www.thirtyseven.agency

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.

Welcome to the latest episode of The Media Landscape.

This week, we are looking at Prince Andrew and his ongoing masterclass in how not to manage a crisis, why M&S decided to change the name of ‘Midget Gems’ and, following some high-profile apologies, how to say ‘sorry’.

And fresh from reporting from outside No10, we are joined by broadcast journalist Victoria Smith for our Journo on the Go segment, to discuss the latest government party revelations, how the Prime Minister is managing the scandal and the next crisis on the horizon. 

Please check out our sponsor – Media First – who provide bespoke media and communications training. You can learn more about them at www.mediafirst.co.uk

The Media Landscape is produced by Thirty Seven – a journalist-led content marketing agency. Check them out at www.thirtyseven.agency

Media First are media and communications training specialists with more than 35 years of experience. We have a team of trainers, each with decades of experience working as journalists, presenters, communications coaches and media trainers.