Radio phone-in programmes such as Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2, Kaye Adams on BBC Radio Scotland and James O’Brien on LBC are interested in one thing above everything else – making great radio.
That means, when they are sifting through the calls, text and social media interaction and deciding who to invite on-air to challenge the guest, they are often influenced not simply by the content of the caller’s argument, but by the passion behind it and how it’s going to be delivered. They’ll ask themselves: ‘Is this going to make good radio?’
These shows are not exactly renowned for nuanced debate. In some cases, arguments are deliberately polarised, with producers taking the view that conflict keeps people listening.
That means your business spokespeople, your MD, Chief Exec, whoever it is you’re putting forward, might find themselves up against a pretty vociferous opponent, and will they be able to rely on the programme host to be a fair and impartial referee?
At Comsteria, our media relations training workshops are popular because they are real. The courses are always being tailored and refined to take account of changes in radio and television programme presentation. We don’t do ‘role play’. We ask real questions based on real situations you know you’re going to encounter.
Our sessions now include the option of a simulated radio phone-in element, complete with its very own ‘angry caller’. We have carefully selected this individual, who carries out impeccable and extensive research into your organisation beforehand and will find any information about you that is in the public domain and then use it against you. As host of the programme, I’ll make sure you get the chance to answer the points against you, but only after ‘The Angry Caller’ has had a good go at you, and I might be inclined to take their side, as many phone-in hosts are. You’re going to have to fight to be heard.
This type of experience is ideal for more experienced clients who have been through previous media training. It’s an optional element of our sessions so if you require something more introductory or don’t expect to face hostile media situations then there’s no obligation to include this.
But our suggestion is this runs towards the end of our full media training day workshop, by which point you’ll have had several hours of training and practice with me and should be more than capable of taking on, not simply a journalist, but also one of the most persistent and vocal opponents you’ll ever encounter. Could you handle Comsteria’s ‘Angry Caller’?
Get in touch to find out more.