This “train-the-trainer” style program is primarily designed for those professionals across Media Relations, Public Relations, and Marketing, who would like to strengthen their interactions with media outlets and gain practical tools and strategies that they can incorporate into their own in-house media training. To get the most out of the conference experience, we recommend bringing along members of senior campus leadership (e.g., VPs, Provosts, and Deans) for the chance to practice critical interview skills and get expert coaching from our instructors.

Navigating the New Media World
In today’s 24-hour news cycle, engaging with members of the media can be both rewarding and risky. This foundational session will highlight the importance of media relations and provide insight into how modern-day media and reporters operate.

Scenario Introductions and Assignments
Each participant will be introduced and placed into small groups, each of which will be assigned a scenario that they will focus their work around for the first part of the training.

Do’s and Don’ts: Interview Preparation
From identifying your talking points to deciding what you are going to wear, there are several steps you can take to get ready for an interview and ensure your success. Our experts will walk you through your interview preparation do’s and don’ts and allow time for you to prepare for your scenario-related interview.

Do’s and Don’ts: During the Interview
Once you are able to effectively prepare for an interview, you can begin thinking about the interview itself. During this session, you will be introduced to best practices to implement during an interview and have time to practice these skills in small groups.

Controlling the Interview: Navigating Difficult Questions
There may be times in which you are asked a question that you cannot or should not answer – and “no comment” is not an effective option. This session will outline how to best navigate these difficult situations and allow you to practice the art of taking control of the interview.

Day 1 Wrap-Up and Mock Interview Sign-Up
We will come back together to close Day 1 and reflect on our learning. During this time, attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for an individual filmed mock interview with our experts the following morning.

Networking Reception
This informal reception is your chance to decompress, have some refreshments on us, and expand your network of connections. Our programs are intentionally designed for smaller groups, so this is a great time to catch-up with attendees and speakers whom you may not have connected with yet.

Optional Mock Interview/Coaching Sessions with Instructors: Block 1
During this time, you may sign up for an individual filmed mock interview with the conference instructors to obtain specific advice and coaching on your areas of strength and opportunity related to the interview.

Considerations for After the Interview
The work doesn’t end when the interview ends. This portion of the conference will focus on best practices following an interview, how to troubleshoot after a negative interview, and how to maintain successful relationships with reporters moving forward.

Small Group Practice & Block 2 of Mock Interviews
During this practice block, attendees will take turns practicing interviewing each other in their small groups and use the rubric introduced earlier in the day to provide each other with feedback. The second block of filmed mock interview sessions will also be held during this time.

Next Steps and Developing your Individualized Learning Plan
What felt natural to you? What was difficult? During this reflective and future-focused guided exercise, you will use the peer and expert feedback you received throughout the day to develop your own learning plan to continue your progress when you return to campus.