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Media Training

For when the phone rings or a journalist is on your doorstep

Want your business to be Seen, be Heard and be Understood?

You need to be able to speak confidently first…

You’re on the couch in a TV studio. You met the breakfast show hosts 30 seconds ago…

Cameras are rolling from all angles, and they’re pointed right at you.

You don’t know where to look. Lights are blazing.

We’re counting you out of the ad break in… 3, 2, 1. Now you are live on air!

Hundreds of thousands of people are tuning in and listening to your every word. This interview will most likely be published online and on social media, meaning wider and longer lasting circulation for your brand.

The impact of national media coverage can be profound. The way you respond to questions from journalists could make or break your reputation and, most importantly, customer trust.

Which is why being able to communicate confidently is absolutely critical.

So, how do you prepare before your brand is in the headlines?

Media training courses & online Media training workshops

Executive Media Training Broadcast Strategy Workshop Half day media training workshop

Media training in Sydney, Melbourne & online

Our ON AIR Media Training courses, developed by Founder Jessica Ridley, ensure that you're prepared and can control the narrative when the phone rings or a journalist shows up at your doorstep. Participants are put through their paces with practical training activities, learning how to navigate their way through an interview, delivering key messages succinctly and with authority.

Sessions can include

  • Navigating the evolving media landscape 

  • Mastering interviews across  TV, radio, print, podcast and socials

  • Dealing with media requests 

  • Crafting compelling key messages and responses

  • The power of storytelling 

  • Clear and confident communication under pressure

  • Building trust and authenticity on camera 

  • Tackling tough questions with ease 

  • Memory tools and breathing techniques

  • Vocal variety and the use of pause, tone and emphasis 

  • Ad Libbing with impact 

  • Realistic TV and radio interview scenarios 

  • Autocue and improvised video training 

We give you lots of options 

  • Exclusive training either 1:1 or up to four participants for a half day session 

  • Exclusive group sessions for up six participants over a full day 

  • Come to a real TV studio, or we can come to you 

  • Delivered face to face, or virtually (we also facilitate hybrid group sessions) 

  • Open group media training workshops

Our Approach

No two businesses are the same. Which is why we take the time to understand your unique challenges and opportunities. We custom-build every single session.

  • Elevate your media abilities and command the spotlight

    Designed for CEOs and executives with some degree of media exposure prior to training, this is a transformative experience that equips you with the skills to excel in all media interactions and communicate with authority.

    We cover a wide range of topics:

    • Understanding the media landscape

    • Strategies for dealing with difficult journalists

    • Handling sensitive topics

    • Executive presence and communication style

    • Staying on message under pressure

    • Dealing with difficult questions

    • Positioning yourself as an expert

    • Media crisis simulation and role play interviews

    We recommend that all sessions be conducted with the assistance of a professional news-trained camera crew. We also offer virtual training sessions that maintain the same level of excellence and effectiveness.

    The content of what is discussed during the session remains confidential and is treated with the utmost discretion. You will be supplied the only copy of any interview clips, along with comprehensive debrief notes and future recommendatons

    Based in Sydney and Melbourne, our executive media training is available nationwide to meet your specific needs.

    Due to the bespoke nature of this training, pricing is available upon application. Contact us for a personalised quote.

  • Learn what it takes to shine on screen and get your message across

    These are for anyone who could be a media spokesperson for a business or organisation - or simply wants to be a better communicator.

    Hosted in a real TV studio, you will learn how to think like a journalist, understand what they want and learn how to pitch your unique story to them for successful news coverage.

    We’ll put you through your paces with practical training activities, designed to teach you how to navigate live or prerecorded interviews for TV, radio, print - and your own social media channels.

    Our facilitators take the time to understand what it is you are trying to say - then help you articulate that message clearly and concisely.

    You will leave feeling confident and ON AIR ready.

  • Unlock the secrets to achieving impactful media coverage through broadcast channels.

    Designed for anyone keen who is keen to understand how newsrooms operate, how to foster strong relationships with busy journalists and get cut-through attention for your brand.

    Key highlights of this workshop include:

    • An in-depth breakdown of the newsroom structure

    • Identifying newsworthy angles

    • Crafting compelling broadcast stories

    • Tailoring pitches to different audiences

    • Adapting content for different broadcast formats

    • Building relationships with broadcast journalists

    • How to prepare for broadcast interviews

    • Devising a strategy for an upcoming media launch / event

    This is an interactive 2 hour face to face or 90 minute virtual session.

 

Fill in this short form for a quote

Behind the lens of a television studio recording camera.

1:1 or corporate media training sessions…

Meet our media skills trainer Corporate Video Production Presentation Skills Training Public Relations

Meet our Principal Trainer...

Jessica Ridley has worked for Australia’s largest commercial TV and radio networks - Channel 9, Channel Seven and radio station 2GB. Jessica has developed a reputation as a highly engaging and versatile journalist, having spent the past decade waking up to a 3AM alarm for breakfast television on both Sunrise and more recently the Today Show. 

During this time she has covered major news events including the COVID-19 pandemic, state and federal elections, bushfires, floods and high profile court cases, while also working on finance, business news, technology, health and real estate stories. Jess has also worked as a news producer, making decisions about what goes on air. 

Jessica trained in Broadcast Journalism at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), after completing her communications degree with PR and advertising majors. 

She has a strong understanding of how the national news cycle works and now helps her BTW Media clients learn how to secure reputation-building media exposure. 



Seen and heard on…

 

Every person leaves feeling equipped and media ready

  • "I want to say THANK YOU for your time yesterday! You did such an amazing job facilitating the media training and your team couldn’t have made my team feel any more comfortable, it was great. I’ve already had such positive feedback from the guys and they are so thrilled that we are investing in this. They know they need the training and its something that is putting them our of their comfort zones. It was really incredible to see the transformation throughout the day…what a clever way to narrow down their elevator pitch."

    Elysia McEwen, Four Seasons Sydney

  • "Training was very engaging and really helped the team improve ahead of media attention. Jess's passion and real-world experience meant that all of the examples were realistic. The teaching style was relaxed but straight to the point meaning the core messages really sank in."

    Participant, Sydney Water

  • "The content was spot on and the interactive approach with lots of live interviews across different interview types was challenging but really effective. Reviewing your live work in front of colleagues is confronting but totally adds to the learning experience. Definitely recommended."

    Martin Puddey - NSW Environment Protection Authority

  • "Media was a new field for me, and within moments I knew I had hit the jackpot when I found Jess Ridley. With her incredible guidance and skills I was 100% armed for any TV, podcasts, radio or newspaper interviews. Her media and presentation workshops transformed my business. More importantly, her workshops have given me abundant confidence which is evident in all areas of my life. Thank you Jess."

    Lissy Abrahams, Psychotherapist and Founder

  • "BTW Media delivered a bespoke live broadcast workshop curated specifically to the needs of the group. The content and in-studio exercises were practical and provided key tips and takeaways that could be applied immediately. Jessica was both personable and professional and her expertise in journalism and broadcast was exemplified during the workshop."

    Jennifer Hardy, Momentum Media

  • "This training is fantastic and we really appreciated how engaging you kept the session and the real-time feedback provided during training. We're thrilled to have learned from some of the best in the industry!"

    Participant, The Star Sydney

  • "Working in live events, anything and everything can happen! Jess' coaching has prepared me to navigate situations in front of the camera, a live audience or in interviews with ease."

    Natalie Xenita, Vice President-Managing Director IMG

  • "The real life experience, getting to do the interviews live in a studio is just priceless. I'd recommend it to anyone! We can always learn and we can always do better and be better. And so refining your skills and getting some fresh practice has been invaluable”.

    Elissa Lewis - Teachers Mutual Bank Limited

  • “The studio experience is second to none! Particularly when it comes to understanding the different mediums and types of interviews that you've be doing, whether it's pre-recorded or live. They're all so different! And now I feel equipped to deal with all of them. I think it's great for small business owners, for brand influencers and of course anyone in the executive team of a company”.

    Betsy Westcott - Your Inner Money Journey

  • I came in looking like a deer in the headlights... and I'm leaving a lot more confident. It was a fabulous mix of practical and theoretical. We were able to jump in the studio, get live feedback on our performance. It was awesome! I took so much away from it."

    Caitlin Judd - Lady Brains

  • “I walked away feeling much more confident about speaking to media in an interview environment with plenty of actionable tips on taking control, making sure those key messages are right up the top and breaking down responses in better soundbites.”

    Amy Parfett - WedShed and Gravy Founder

  • “I feel like I'm walking out of here with a wealth of practical tips to really hit the ground running. Invaluable training!”

    Andrew Griffin - GRIFFIT

  • "Huge thanks to you, Jessica Ridley, your mentoring masterclass for our team on how to work better with the media was so helpful. Loved meeting you and so grateful for your support and encouragement."

    Vicki Condon AM, Founder and CEO of Raise Foundation

  • "Jess is incredible! Her wealth of knowledge, hands-on experience and excellent interpersonal skills make her a phenomenal media coach. We saw an instant improvement in our trainees' media delivery after group and 1:1 sessions with Jess. Her training is tailored to each participant based on their skills, level of media exposure and specific needs. After seeing the great results, we also engaged Jess to coach our team overseas."

    Natalie Gonzalez, Biopak

  • "Jess was professional, approachable and read the room perfectly to adapt her training to respond to the needs of the CEO. Jess has a way to ensure spokespeople are comfortable and leave feeling the session was valuable. "

    Alice Ross, Medibank

Trusted by…

  • NSW EPA logo
  • Four Seasons Hotel logo of a tree

  • Elevate your marketing efforts with engaging and versatile content

    We specialise in corporate video, social media content, video news releases and livestream production

    Corporate Video Production...

  • Master media interviews and enhance your communication skills

    The ON AIR workshops are available for one-on-one, small groups and seminars. Available Australia wide

    Media Training...

  • Build confidence and excel in all public speaking opportunities

    Our courses will help you prepare for any physical or virtual presentation, speech, Q&A panel or keynote

    Presentation Skills...