Media Training Update w/c 11th May

Edition 534

Good morning. It’s Monday 11th May.

Who doesn’t relish a few pithy social media stats to kick off the working week?

Uncertain, given the febrile state of UK politics, but currently scheduled for the week ahead…

Monday: Starmer’s “re-set speech”.

Yvette Cooper attends meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Tuesday: Cannes Film Festival opens with honorary Palme d’Or awarded to director Peter Jackson.

Wednesday: King’s Speech sets out legislative priorities at the State Opening of Parliament.

Thursday: Donald Trump begins two-day visit to China.

Friday: Man in court over Golders Green attack.

Saturday: FA Cup final: Chelsea v Manchester City.

Eurovision grand final.

Sunday: Final week of the Women’s Six Nations.

Lunchtime reading….

The Pulitzer Prizes are the most prestigious awards in journalism, and the new set of winners was announced last week. Among the work honoured: coverage of US immigration, the war in Gaza, Epstein, the harms of social media to children, a school shooting and how Trump has used his position for personal financial gain and to exact vengeance on his perceived enemies.

Pointer has a summary and links to all the winners. I’d recommend taking 10 minutes out of your day, pick one at random and have a read.

I clicked on Aaron Parsley’s personal account of survival and loss, written days after the Texas floods. 


It’s super writing.

…how to plug a book on air 

Working with an author last week reminded me again that effectively promoting a book on air is a constant balancing act. Provide enough content but don’t give away the shop. Plug the book but don’t sound like a salesman…

1) Let your personality come through in the interview.

However good your content is, if I don’t warm to you it’s unlikely I’ll part with £12.99.

2) Be introduced in exactly the way you want.

Do everything in your power to ensure the presenter name-checks the book so you don’t have to.

3) Don’t shoehorn in awkward references.

“I pondered the answer to this very question while writing my new book…”

4) Do shoehorn in natural references.

“I worked out I’d travelled over 12 thousand miles in the course of researching this book and what I noticed time after time was…”

5) Go on air when there’s a news agenda you can tap into.

Channel 4 News won’t dream of booking you unless there’s a news peg to justify the interview.

Footnotes:

You The Editor

A fortnight ago we asked if editors were getting it right on Trump. The result: 38% of you said yes – the 3am newslines on Truth Social shouldn’t be ignored. 62% of you voted no – his dominance of the news cycle with words rather than actions is wrong.

Thanks to all those who took the time to vote.

“The Mouth From The South” 

 Ted Turner, who started CNN and changed TV forever, died last week aged 87.

“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgment. He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognise him and his impact on our lives and the world.” CNN Chairman Mark Thompson 

I’d recommend this article from Lisa Napoli who has (literally) written the book on Turner.

On This Day: The Daily Sketch newspaper – founded in 1909 – was published for the last time on this day in 1971.

Our Week: Jodrell Bank, London and Brighton for us this week.

The Mutt Photo:

Be part of the MMB. Thoughts on this week’s content, or interviews you’ve seen, heard, or (best of all) done, please let us know.

Back next Monday. Have a super week,



All at Inside Edge