Twenty-Seven Years of Media Training

Even the most talented communicators, and certainly those with less developed skills, need to grow and hone their capabilities. After all, organizations communicate best through the voices of their people.

That’s why a significant consultancy has grown up to help professionals and executives become more effective speakers as they take on important communications responsibilities.

I’ve been a proud member of that consultancy for more than three decades, most of that time with Burson-Marsteller. I’ve worked with thousands of fascinating people from just about every industry, profession and position in government. I’ve also had a chance to work with — and learn from — exceptional colleagues in the public relations and public affairs business, handling major issues, crises and marketing campaigns. My colleagues have included a number of fine media trainers, from Gail Quattlebaum who first hired me at Burson to John Sorrells and Larry Shainman (to name only two), ex-reporters who helped shape the Burson media training product.

As a former college professor of speech, I have a nunaced sensibility of how people learn, combined with a strong perspective about clarity and persuasiveness, two essentials that underlie all effective communication. My background has meshed well with John, Larry and the other former reporters I’ve workd with over the years. Together, we have strengthened a clear, step-by-step technical approach to media training that, time and again, has been successful in practical situations.

In my posts to this blog, I want to expand the dialogue I’ve had with my colleagues, PR clients and those I’ve coached for over 30 years and hope I will hear from many who, like me, are facing new training challenges every day.