Blogs, insights and newsletters

The relationship between journalists and comms and PR professionals can often feel complicated. Some might say ‘strained’.

Are radio interviews part of your comms and PR strategy? The latest audience figures suggest they should be because more people are listening to radio than ever before.

Are you an accidental manager? There’s a good chance you might be. Research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) indicates more than 80 per cent of people who enter management positions have not had leadership and management training and regard themselves as accidental managers.

Have you heard about the tech giant plunged into crisis media management mode by its PR boss? The story has created headlines across the globe and triggered new debate about workplace cultures.

So, your public relations work has paid off, and you've got media interviews lined up. Or you think your organisation will soon be in the media spotlight.

Ever wondered just how bad a cyber-security breach could be for your organisation? Have you considered that it could shut down your business for days?

As venue openings go, it is hard to imagine how the Cop-op Live arena could have got off to a worse start. The new 23,500-capacity arena has been plagued by cancellations, postponed shows, falling air-conditioning units, unhappy fans and a high-profile resignation.

Print interviews continue to be a crucial component of our media training courses. But do people still read newspapers? When was the last time you bought a paper? Has print become a niche medium serving a rapidly shrinking audience?

Capturing great video has never been easier. Everything you need is in your pocket thanks to the meteoric rise of smartphones.

The poster boy of ESG is scaling back some of its commitments, including on plastics and diversity. What does this mean for other organisations?

Podcasts are booming. But how do podcast interviews differ from other media formats? And how can you make the most of the opportunity they present?

What can you learn from this attention-grabbing interview that irritated the journalists? Read the blog to discover our media training advice.

Find out what you can learn from this spokesperson about handling difficult questions from journalists in media interviews

Could you successfully handle a doorstep media interview? Or would you respond to the tricky format like this spokesperson?

Looking to improve your presentation skills? Discover effective techniques to overcome stage fright and deliver captivating virtual presentations with Media First.

Looking for new ways to reach your target audience? Social media influencers have emerged as an increasingly vital way for brands to improve their online presence and increase sales.

What can you learn from two spokespeople who excelled in their media interviews? Read this blog to find out.

Would you like to deliver your next presentation like a TED Talk pro? Read this blog to find out how.

Do you have holding statements on IT issues you can adapt and quickly put out to communicate and try to take control of the narrative? You might need them,

Read our blog to discover 5 crucial crisis communication lessons

What crisis communication lessons can you learn from the Red Bull Racing crisis? Read our blog to find out.

How confident would you feel leading your comms team through a crisis? Check out this article for expert tips and advice.

What happened when the company CEO lamented the company’s share price in front of journalists? And what can you learn from it?

What happens when a media spokesperson walks out of an interview? And how can you prevent it from happening? Read this blog to find out.

A typo in a Lyft press release told investors the ride-hailing company it expected profit margins to increase at a rate far higher than was real. How did it handle the situation?

Why is the media coverage so often dominated by negative news? It’s a question often asked by delegates during our media training courses. We’ve all seen examples of negative stories going almost instantly viral.

Pitching isn’t easy, is it? It can be hard to know which journalists to target. And it can be even trickier to grab their attention. The good news is journalists want to receive pitches.