Review of MediaMasters: Insider Secrets from the big names of broadcast, print and social media (Paperback)
I read Media Masters with an outcome in mind. I have dealt with the media in a previous occupation, not always in a particularly great way and it looks like I will be again soon. I wanted to pick up some tips, techniques and ideas that would help me deal with the media better than I had before.
I far more than I expected from this book. Let me start with my minor niggle about the book. It has so many gems, good ideas and thought provoking points that it was difficult to find bits later when I was reviewing the huge amount of good advice I got from the book. That said the authors recognising this have put a five page summary of key points at the back…I would have been happier with this being a little more exhaustive.
Now that is one small point against a really great book. Not only did I get a huge amount of good advice about handling the media I also got some great ideas to try out. For example Chris Cox talks about 140 character Twitter film reviews and this spurred several different marketing ideas for me. So I got lots of advice about the media, stimulated some great thoughts and ideas…but this was not the thing that turn this from a good book into a great book.
The thing I liked most about the book was the fact that it has huge personality and fun about it. Thee are laugh out loud moments. See Alan Steven’s response to George Galloway’s ideas about repetition, repetition, repetition as one example that got me strange looks on my tube journey home.
Like any great interviewer, as I can see the co-authors are, they allow the personalities of the people they are interviewing shine through and they left me wanting to know more from the people they were interviewing. Not only that the personalities of the two authors comes through. They are as entertaining thought provoking as any of the people they have interviewed for the book. And they are happy to disagree with the advice their celebrities give. This gives the book honesty, integrity and allows the reader free choice on a range of opinions.
I read this book for information. I got that but was not expecting to be entertained as much through the process. Even with my minor niggles this book thoroughly deserves a five star rating.
Product Description
“An invaluable guide, full of insights.”THE GUARDIAN
Let the pros show you how to handle the media… If you have an important message to get across it pays to learn from the best. This book gives you insider access to the combined knowledge of MediaMasters in fields ranging from politics, sports, weather and news to comic strips, chat shows, soaps, photography, radio and the internet.
Crammed with tips from years of experience it will make you more media savvy, entertaining and news aware, so you are fully prepared for your turn in the spotlight.
Featuring: Terry Wogan, Phill Jupitus, Michael Parkinson, Uri Geller, Brian Clough, Alex, Will Carling, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tim Brabants, Chris Cox, Fay Weldon, Jo Swinson, Rory Cellan-Jones, Phil Hall, Gail Emms, Gered Mankowitz, Neil Mullarkey, Iain Dale, Rebecca Adlington, Michael Aspel, Des Coleman, Dee Caffari, Allegra Mcevedy, George Galloway and Hugh Pym.
The authors, both recognised MediaMasters in their own right, have interviewed 25 of the top names in radio, television, print and new media so they can share their insights with you. Whether you’re a company spokesperson, sports star, politician, author, entrepreneur, celebrity or budding MediaMaster yourself, the role models in this book provide you with hard won tricks of the trade you can use.
PRAISE
“This is an accessible and engaging read – giving real insight into some of the most interesting media operators around. Having interviewed one or two of them myself I can vouch for its authenticity.”Jo Matthews – Senior Lecturer, The Centre forBroadcasting & Journalism, Nottingham Trent University
“An invaluable guide, full of insights.” Martin Kelner – Columnist, The Guardian
“If you have any interest at all in understanding how the media works from the inside – it’s all here… from near perfect MediaMasters to embarrassing faux pax to spectacular recoveries. This book strips away the nonsense and shows you how to really get the most from media moments… courtesy of those who know. Why was this book not around before?”Paul du Toit, Certified Speaking Professional and former President of the Professional Speakers Association of South Africa
“Full of great advice on handling the media from those who’ve been there and done the soundbite.”Pete May – Lecturer at the London College of Communication and author of “There’s a Hippo in My Cistern”
“My advice to all business owners is to forget what the many PR consultants tell you to do, MediaMasters has loads of practical gems on how to prepare for a media interview. These come from the real world trenches, not a weekend media course. I particularly liked the non-showbiz approaches of Tim Brabants and Iain Dale.”Rod Sloane, Small Business Marketing Expert and Best Business Speaker 2008, College of Public Speaking Awards
About the Author
Jeremy Nicholas is an award winning TV and radio broadcaster, after dinner speaker and compere.He’s presented radio shows for BBC World Service, BBC Radio 5 Live, Talk Sport and GLR. On television he’s best known for his `And Finally’ reporting for the BBC. He also presented `Live and Dangerous’, `Turnstyle’ and`Sick as a Parrot’ as well as live World Cup and Champions League football for Channel 5 and ITV. As Director of Talking Toolbox Jeremy teaches speaking skills for TV, radio and live audiences, as well as providing media training for firms and individuals.
Alan Stevens has been both a TV presenter and expert interviewee notching up over 2,000 radio and TV interviews on BBC TV News, Sky News, Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live as well as in every ITV region. He is Vice-President of the International Federation for Professional Speakers and a Fellow (and Past President) of the Professional Speakers Association. As Director of MediaCoach Alan provides media coaching, crisis management and communication training. In 2006, The Independent listed him alongside Max Clifford as “one of the UK’s top ten media experts”.
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