Real stories. Real results.
From media training and crisis simulations to consultancy, leadership development and AI-powered practice, hear what our clients and delegates have to say about working with Media First.
TESTIMONIALS
Results in their own words
Fantastic experience
Sarina Kiayani, a senior public affairs officer at Dogs Trust appreciated the advice from our highly experienced journalists.
Worked really well
Rebecca Gillick, a senior communications executive at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), has booked many face-to-face training courses with Media First. Here she discusses how her delegates enjoyed the first online training course she arranged.
Much better prepared
Matt Brocklehurst a branch transformation manager, from Nationwide, feels he is much better prepared for communicating effectively online after taking part in a Media First online presentations skills training course.
"I was quite nervous about the prospect of speaking on television and radio. But Media First have given me the confidence to be able to do it. I’m incredibly grateful to Media First. I learnt that people want to hear about people. I now look forward to delivering important student messages in broadcast interviews."
"I took the media first training because I had a little bit of experience in media interviews but found that I would stick to the script and not come across very naturally. I’d cling to facts and figures and I really wanted to improve my technique."
"I found the whole experience absolutely fantastic. I didn’t know what to expect but the instructors were really kind and gave really fantastic advice. I know my fellow senior public affairs officers found it really good as well. And now I feel ready to take on any media interview I might get as part of my job."
Transferable skills
Mamta Sighal, a commercialisation manager in the fast moving consumer goods sector and an Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Council member, felt that not only did she gain a good understanding of how to manage interviews from her online training, but that the skills she learnt would also benefit other areas of her work.
Bespoke training
Katie Scott-Kurti, Head of Reputation and Communication at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), discusses how Media First has helped her organisation by delivering a wide range of bespoke communication training over a number of years.
Authenticity
Paul Rooke, Executive Director at the British Coffee Association recognises the value of training by videoconference as an opportunity to get to grips with the technology and to experience this different style of interview that is becoming a key format for TV and radio media interviews.
"Working with Media First wasn’t just crisis consultancy and media training — it was confidence and clarity long before issues escalated.
Media First helped our team and senior leaders really understand where issues start, how quickly they can grow, and why early decisions matter.
Because we’d already thought through language, tone, and sequencing, we were prepared when scrutiny came. In some cases, that meant stories didn’t gain traction at all because we could respond clearly and quickly.
The support felt like a proper adult relationship — practical, calm and grounded in real experience. It strengthened our internal decision-making and helped ensure our communications team were supported by senior leadership, not slowed down by it.”
"I took the media first training because I had a little bit of experience in media interviews but found that I would stick to the script and not come across very naturally. I’d cling to facts and figures and I really wanted to improve my technique."
"I found the whole experience absolutely fantastic. I didn’t know what to expect but the instructors were really kind and gave really fantastic advice. I know my fellow senior public affairs officers found it really good as well. And now I feel ready to take on any media interview I might get as part of my job."
Confidence boosting
The President of NUS Scotland, Matt Crilly, was previously quite nervous about speaking to the media, but he is incredibly grateful for the techniques he learned with Media First, which have given him the knowledge on how to present himself better and the confidence to deliver important student messages to the media.
Tools and techniques
Amber O'Connor from the Institute of Engineering & Technology had an excellent day's training taking on board the range of tools and techniques to better understand the media and learning what journalists are looking for from her as an expert in her field.
Speak more naturally
Parveen Yaqoob from the University of Reading wanted to improve her interview technique and come across sounding more natural. This videoconference-based training gave her the opportunity to practice radio and TV interview formats, and she was pleased to learn some key new skills, including the bridging technique to get swiftly away from uncomfortable territory, the advantage of leading the conversation and the benefit of including a human example.
Stay in control
Global commercial director at Cotton Connect, Amol Mishra, gained a lot from the training and found it really helpful. It made him think about the way he positions himself, his pace when speaking, the messages he puts across and how he can use them to control the conversation.
Landing key messages
NUS President, Larissa Kennedy learned an an incredible amount and feels much better prepared following her 121 videoconference training session. She sees the techniques aimed at getting her point across and keeping control of interviews, as invaluable skills in the current media landscape.
Transferable skills
Pete Castle, from the communications team at the University of Reading, tells us why the skills and techniques he and his colleagues have gained from training with working journalist tutors have been so valuable.
Safe yet challenging
Barry Rees, General Manager of Oil, Gas & Terminals from Briggs Marine, appreciated the opportunity to rehearse in safe environment. To be tested and challenged and made to think before facing the media in the real world.
Become more relateable
NUS-USI President, Ellen Fearon, enjoyed learning new media techniques, particularly around message preparation and ensuring key points are relevant and relatable to the audience.
New perspectives
CEO of Yolt, Nic Weng Kan found that the training brought an unexpected angle and a new perspective on how to approach being interviewed by different media that he's not naturally a consumer of.
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