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Executive Rewind: Handling Multiple Questions

Listen carefully to what’s being asked and then pick the question you like best and answer that one.

That’s exactly what Strauss Zelnick did on Fox Business Network recently. Zelnick is chairman of Take Two Interactive Software, creators of the Grand Theft Auto interactive games. The day GTA IV was released crowds were lined up outside stores well in advance of them opening. Each game sells for $60. Not exactly cheap, and at a time when gasoline and food prices take much larger bites out of disposable income.

So, does that mean the economy is better than we’re being told, or Grand Theft Auto IV is simply a “must have?” Those two questions came at Zelnick in the same breath from FBN host Neil Cavuto. Zelnick went with the one best suited to his messages for target audiences. This, he validated, is the game a large, loyal, devoted fan base was waiting for.

Click here to see the video clip online

Zelnick is a businessman. His job is to keep customers and shareholders happy, reach out to them with strong, positive messages and not to prognosticate about doom and gloom of the economy. So, the question about GTA IV being a “must have” fit squarely into his need to validate those target audiences and reinforce Take Two Interactive Software’s objectives.

The Media Trainers® Re–winder Reminder:

When you’re confronted with a barrage of questions before you can answer even one, select the one best suited to your own agenda.
After your answer, ask the reporter to repeat the other questions. It’s not your responsibility to remember the other questions. It’s your job to give answers. Also, by asking them to repeat, you “buy” some additional time to think.
If you get more than one question again, then, again, just pick the one you like.

The Media Trainers®, LLC, has a Tough Questions eBook on our Web site that you can download free for easy reference.

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Over 25 years of local & network news reporting and management experience
- Comprehensive knowledge of how media work and how to work with the media
- Managed more than 50 people
- Able to spot and develop talent
  - Hired and developed syndicated talk hosts Sean Hannity and Clark Howard and several news reporters who have gone on to network positions
  - Successfully molded and directed individuals into award winning broadcasters; more than 40 international, national, regional and statewide awards
- An understanding of running a business
  - Managed a seven figure budget
Deep experience in customized training
- TMT has conducted more than 450 workshops and consulting sessions with over 90 clients. Workshops are designed around the needs of each participant based on:
  - Their specific role inside the organization
  - Their available time for training
  - Their comfort level
  - Their level of experience dealing with the media
  - The type of interview(s) they will be doing
- Depending on your needs, our training will include:
  - Media skills built around The Media Trainers® 10 Rules of Interviewing™.
  - Tough questions preparations focusing on the most difficult inquiries reporters are apt to make.
  - Message development that gets your team "on message" to avert a crisis, diffuse an issue or promote your company.
  - Role playing, mock interviews and video clips drawn from our extensive library.
Attention to detail
- A Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company executive:
  - "A training program where somebody spoke our language, prepared materials that reflected our business needs, and gave us just the right amount of useful materials."
- A Coca-Cola Company executive:
  - "I was significantly impressed by the pertinent and well-researched, well prepared questions. Much better than my Proctor & Gamble training."
- A Southern Company executive:
  - "I believe that this training was right on target to what we needed. The trainer was well prepared, not only for our industry, but also our project subject matter. Thanks!"
- A Georgia Power Company executive:
  - "Trainer obviously knows our business and was excellent in identifying the areas we may be presented with while dealing with the media."
- A Mirant executive:
  - "I was very impressed with the prep work done by the trainer relating to our business. Our industry is complex and he quickly adjusted to our local (Canada) issues."
- An AGL Resources executive:
  - "Your training is straightforward and completely accomplished my objectives. Thank you for the open, honest feedback and relaying real life experiences."
Exclusive Tools Transferred to You
- Through hundreds of training sessions and constant refinement, we have developed a set of proprietary media and communications training tools that are fast and easy to use. Our kit creates message structure, and makes your communications tangible and focused on results. Proprietary communications tools include:
  - TMT's 10 Rules of Interviewing™
  - TMT's Exposure Grid™
  - TMT's 30 Minute News Interview Planner™

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