Most PR departments and agencies we work with have excellent relationships with their target print media, and do a great job securing coverage – but when it come to TV coverage it’s a different matter. This is a shame, because there are undoubtedly thousands of stories out there which would work brilliantly on television, if […]
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 […]
TV investigations: how to respond
On Friday, I got a call from a PR friend of mine, asking for my thoughts s one of her clients was the subject of TV investigations. 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. […]
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 […]
Obama: a masterclass in TV interviewing
On Sunday, an interview was broadcast between President Barack Obama and Andrew Marr. http://youtu.be/xWuuNfc2Gto In the interview, President Obama provided a masterclass in how to conduct an interview. It was pre-recorded, so of course we don’t know how much or what was edited out. But my guess would be not much, since the time Andrew Marr was […]
Five top tips to help you get featured on TV
There’s no doubt about it – TV coverage is fantastic exposure for your business, your event, your organisation. Just look at the viewing figures: Over 4 million people watch the One Show About 1.5 million people watch BBC Breakfast Up to 2 million people watch Loose Women on ITV And even regional TV news programmes […]
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