Description

When the media calls you need to be ready.  
Whether you’re launching an exciting corporate initiative or in the midst of a major crisis or, you need to make the most of any interview opportunity.  Join veteran communications professionals Nancy McHarg and Ken Coach (from the award-winning corporate communications agency, Hoggan & Associates) for an engaging session that will guide you through the essentials of working with the media. The skills you’ll learn will help you with the media and are equally helpful in today’s digital world.

Key takeaways:

• How and when to engage the media to reach your audience. 
• News values – the seven news values that form the media agenda 
• The importance of having and knowing how to exert your own agenda with the media
• How to articulate your communications objectives – what do you want to have happen and who needs to hear what message to make that come about.
•  What makes an effective key message
• The interview wheel – and how to use it including bridging techniques
• The essentials of handling a crisis.

Guest Speakers: Nancy McHarg, APR
Principal, McHarg Communications
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Nancy McHarg has worked in media and public relations for 25 years, providing counsel to leading Canadian companies, educational institutions, governments and not for profits. Nancy has led strategic communications initiatives for national corporations, managed crisis communications on issues that have garnered international attention and media coached business people, activists and professional athletes in good times and bad. Nancy is committed to the principles of sustainability and has led research and communications efforts with this focus and related to climate change and energy issues.  Nancy founded McHarg Communications in 2012 after serving for more than 10 years as Vice President with Hoggan and Associates, a leading Canadian public relations agency, with whom she continues to consult. Nancy began her career as a journalist in Montreal before taking her first public relations position with McGill University. She held senior corporate positions with Canada’s largest private broadcaster, WIC Western International Communications, and Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment. Nancy is a Trustee of Government House Foundation and a former board member of West Coast Environmental Law. She was for many years on the Board of Canuck Place Children’s Hospital. Nancy graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and is an accredited member of the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Ken Coach
Senior Council, Media Strategy, Hoggan and Associates
Website   |  Blog |  |  LinkedIn

Ken Coach is a highly regarded media trainer and public speaking coach. He has worked with politicians, CEO’s, actors, lawyers, athletes and managers at various levels to improve their public image. He has also edited speeches and given performance training for a wide range of public events. He is often called on to prepare CEO’s for Annual General Meetings or controversial announcements and he has spoken at conferences about the power of persuasion through storytelling. After starting out as a weekly newspaper reporter, Coach eventually became the Senior Producer in charge of domestic news coverage for CTV National News.  He was also Executive Producer of CBC network and regional TV news programs in various parts of Canada. He has freelanced for a number of American magazines and U.S. network television. Along the way he was also a columnist, photographer and TV anchorman. His unique background includes working in radio, newspapers, magazines and television from Nunavut to New York City. He has worked with many not-for-profit organizations and currently sits on the board of the Georgia Strait Alliance. Coach has tackled challenges in both traditional and digital media often in high profile crisis situations. He believes all communication starts with content and has helped a large number of clients focus their messaging and create an effective communications strategy. Reputation management is a large part of Coach’s business and he has been instrumental in developing quick and effective crisis communication plans to preserve the reputations of national and international companies and individuals.

Cancellation Policy: Payment is non refundable for cancellations made within 3 business days of the event, or non attendance on the day.
If you have registered and paid for an event or training, you will be automatically added to the attendance list.