Most PR departments and agencies we work with have excellent relationships with their target print media, and do a great job securing coverage. However, many find it more tricky to interest TV programmes in their stories. This is a shame, because there are undoubtedly thousands of stories out there which would work brilliantly on television, […]
Media training lessons about TV presentation style
This is extraordinary. And dare I say, most people couldn’t imagine this on British TV. A couple of thoughts: It’s a good example of how you cannot expect a presenter or reporter to be completely objective – however impartial they intend or are meant to be, you have to remember they are human, with their […]
Remembering D Day 70
Last week I was privileged to be asked to produce the highlights programme for the BBCs D Day commemorations, which went out on BBC2 on Friday evening, after nine hours of programmes on BBC1, which chronicled the commemorations along the Normandy coast. It was a moving and emotional experience for the entire production team, and tears […]
What to expect: TV documentary interview
We recently ran a one-to-one training course for a charity which was highly likely to be featured in documentaries and longer TV and radio items, rather than just in news stories. Of course TV documentary interviews are somewhat different to news interviews, so the head of PR wanted us to give our trainee some pointers […]
Sinead O’Connor vs Eddie Mair on TV
On Sunday, Sinead O’Connor appeared on the Andrew Marr TV show, in the regular end of the programme music slot. She was interviewed by briefly by Eddie Mair, and, it’s fair to say, didn’t appear to have enjoyed the process. Viewing the comments below the Youtube link, opinion is divided on who came off best […]
Guide to how to respond to TV investigations
On Friday, I got a call from a PR friend of mine, asking for my thoughts about a problem facing one of her clients. I thought it might be useful to share her problem, and the advice that I offered. The client had received an email from someone purporting to be from a TV company. In it, […]
BBC: in defence of public service
The BBC has come in for some major bashing since the broadcast of the ITV documentary about Jimmy Saville, and is generally deemed to be ‘in crisis’. The resignation of the Director General George Entwhistle came on Saturday afternoon as I was sitting in an outside broadcast truck outside the Albert Hall, preparing for the […]
The Art of the TV Interview
Recently on BBC4 there was a fascinating programme about the history of the TV interview, Frost on Interviews. In it, a string of famous interviewers – and interviewees – discuss the evolution of TV interviews, how different presenters and journalists approach their craft, what different types of interview are trying to achieve, and the art […]
Tweet tweet: a round up of the week's Twitter tips
Every day on Twitter, we post a PR tip. This can be about media interviews, media strategy, PR or video making – or indeed anything we feel may be useful and is media related. This week, our tips gave advice about doing TV and radio interviews. Remember if you refuse a media interview it can […]
Tweet tweet: a round up of the week's PR tips
Every day on Twitter, we post a PR tip. This can be about media interviews, media strategy, PR or video making – or indeed anything we feel may be useful and is media related. Here’s a round up of this week’s tips: 1. If you are taking part in a live broadcast, be flexible as […]
Stay in touch: social media