The Media Coach

Hi John,

There's been a big story this week about alleged WhatsApp messages from former Health Secretary Matt Hancock. For me, the issue has not been about the messages, but about how they were revealed.

Isabel Oakeshott worked with Mr Hancock on a book about the government's strategy during the worst of the Covid pandemic. As soon as the book was published, she decided to write an article in the Daily Telegraph revealing their content.

Though she's claimed "public interest", it's an unusual way for. journalist to behave, and I doubt very much if anyone will ever take her into their confidence again.

This week, Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan signed off in style, quoting the fictional "Anchorman" Ron Burgundy as he said.

"I hope I've managed to serve you well. It has been an absolute privilege. Thanks for making this career so worthwhile. You stay classy planet earth."

Murnaghan has also worked for the BBC and ITN during his career, but retired from Sky News this week where he thanked viewers for enabling him to have such a rewarding career.

He added "And finally, as the saying goes, some news about me. After 15 years, this has been my final programme for Sky News, the best organisation in the UK, which you already know, for its coverage and analysis but also for its dedicated and inventive hard-working staff so many of who have become close friends."

Good luck to him.

My radio guest this week is an absolute legend.

As lead singer of The Hollies, Allan Clarke presided over one of the greatest pop groups to emerge from the early 1960s British Rock revolution, when music began to shake the world. With their soaring, distinctive harmonies, brilliantly crafted songs and cultivated musicianship, their extensive back catalogue remains one of the most enduring and celebrated in popular music history.

30 Top Ten UK hits, 26 US chart singles, worldwide tours and songs that would become staples of radio across the globe followed - ‘I’m Alive’, ‘Carrie-Ann’, ‘Bus Stop’, ‘Look Through Any Window’, ‘The Air That I Breathe’ and the No.1 ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’. But as that song says...the road is long, with many a winding turn.

He's returned to the studio to record a new album with his lifelong pal Graham Nash, and they sound better than ever.

Listen to our chat in the Media Coach Radio Show.

And of course, my show features a superb new song by Allan, featuring his old friend Graham Nash.

The MediaMug this week is Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert cartoon strip.

Mr Adams, who is white, said black Americans were part of a "hate group" and white people should "get the hell away" from them.

Dilbert's distributor immediately severed ties with Mr Adams. While Andrews McMeel Universal values free speech, the company said, they ''will never support any commentary rooted in discrimination or hate".

Mr Adams says his career is destroyed and most of his income will be gone by next week after The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and other publications dropped the popular cartoon.

It's his own fault.

Every speaker, and many people who rarely speak, have been placed in a situation at an event where they are asked to "just say a few words".

It's a phrase that can strike terror even into the stoutest heart. But if you take a deep breath and know how to handle such a request, you will be thanked profusely.

So here's what to do.

Firstly, ask what the purpose of the "few words" is. It may be a vote of thanks, a tribute to someone who has recently passed or a request to buy tickets for the raffle. The important thing is to know why you are speaking.

Next, find a quiet place to prepare a few notes. Use a notebook or your phone to note down:

Avoid any of the following:

Then stand and deliver. Use notes if you need them. Keep it brief, and smile. You'll be great.

Some years ago, President Bill Clinton found himself in a spot of bother after spending a little time with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky.

As soon as he realised how much trouble he was in, the President knew who to call - Lanny J Davis, his go-to person for handling communications about problems.

Lanny coined the phrase "Truth To Tell: Tell It Early, Tell It All, Tell It Yourself"

It's an invaluable mantra, and should be on a plaque in the office of anyone who might get caught up in a controversial issue.

So how does this apply to you? I hope you never get caught up in any scandals, of course, but the thinking behind Lanny's phrase is useful for any media interview.

Tell it Early - By making yourself the primary source of information on any issue, you invite the media to keep returning to you for the definitive view of what is happening.

Tell it All - You don't have to say everything you know about an issue. But being open and honest, and supplying as much information as you can, will prevent others from speculating or taking over the story.

Tell it Yourself - If you are the focal point of.a story, you need to be at the centre of communication about it.

Take Lanny's advice, and you'll always be ahead of the media game.



What's your online persona? Is it the same as your real-life persona? (Hint: It should be). Of course, some people want to hide who they are online, often for dubious reasons, but if you're in business, it makes sense to be the same person everywhere.

There's a tendency for comments to be more pointed and direct online than they would be in a face-to-face conversation. That's always seemed strange to me. The person or people you are talking to are as real as you are, with the same feelings and sensibilities. Why not extend the same respect as you would to someone you met in person?

If you're in business, it's even more important to be authentic. The people you react with online are potential or existing customers. If a customer walked into your office, you'd offer them polite service. The fact that you are chatting to them online makes little difference. The only distinction is the way you are communicating.

Everything you do online and offline should be consistent - from your profile picture to the way you speak about your products and services. It's arguably even more important to be polite online, since there is likely to be a much larger audience for any poor service.

Just be the same everywhere. It's that simple.

Things never go wrong on the BBC. Honestly....

If you're looking for a speaker or MC this year, just get in touch. I now have all inclusive pricing.