By Eric M. Seidel, CEO The Media Trainers®, LLC The media love conflict and controversy. That’s what makes for a good story. So, they often seed questions with a word or two designed to provoke a controversial response. I call these “Interview IEDs.” They’re designed to make you blow up. Figuratively speaking, of course. And […]

By Eric Seidel, CEO The Media Trainers®, LLC A reporter may be having a bad day, may not feel well, may not like you or your company, may have had an argument at home, or may be under the pressure of multiple stories and deadlines. These are things you cannot control. There are two things […]

Of Nukes, CO2 and Mastodons. By Eric Seidel, CEO The Media Trainers®, LLC Contentious interviews can sometimes amuse, on occasion enlighten, and often simply frustrate. Here’s one you might find satisfies all three possibilities. In light of the “Act-of-God”/nature-instigated nuclear power plant disaster in Japan, CNBC lined up an interview with Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA), […]

By Eric Seidel, CEO The Media Trainers®   Thirty-nine billion dollars. That’s what AT&T Mobility is anteing up for T-Mobile. If approved, they’ll form the largest cell system in the U.S. If the Justice Department says “no” to the deal, AT&T has to pay T-Mobile a $3 billion break-up fee. Those are big numbers…especially the […]

By Eric M. Seidel, CEO The Media Trainers, LLC How many times have you heard the tired excuse, “They took me out of context”? Sometimes it’s true, but too many times it’s proven to be a lame claim that has no factual standing. The real issue is delivering soundbites that both the media will pick […]

By Eric Seidel, CEO The Media Trainers® Did someone forget to tell doctors in Wisconsin about cameras, smart phones, the Internet, social media and cable news outlets? You’d think people smart enough to get through medical school would understand that in today’s world of instant global communications anything they say or do, especially in the […]