SPEAK Media Training

SPEAK: COMPREHENSIVE, PRACTIAL MEDIA TRAINING FROM FORMER BROADCAST JOURNALISTS WHO ACTIVELY PITCH

Our media training program, SPEAK, aims to help companies speak to, engage with, and be heard by their target audiences. We work with clients – from early stage to established brands – to design, align, coordinate, and humanize external communications efforts that propel them forward, always with an eye on business goals. SPEAK is about effectively engaging with audiences – including media – through clarity, practice, and preparation.

Committed to Relevance

One of the things that differentiate our approach is our commitment to relevance. We do not simply rely on our experience dealing with the media over the years (although that does inform and influence our work.) We proactively and consistently connect with and engage reporters, editors, and producers to discuss the changing media landscape, their preferences, goals, and how we can continue to be the best resources for them. Over the past few years, the news industry has undergone a dramatic shift; therefore, relying on how things used to be can be not only ineffective but harmful.

Another example of relevance is that we have begun to include training for virtual interviews, including a virtual environment assessment to ensure that you project the best image when video conferencing with media.

1:1 Training

After an overview of and discussion about working with today’s media – including common reporter personas and tactics for handling each, we walk through a series of examples and mock practice interviews that are recorded and reviewed with you. We go beyond the basics, tips, and techniques; we focus on real practice so participants can see and feel for themselves what works and identify areas for improvement.

Message Review and Counsel

What you are saying is as important as how you are saying it. We don’t just help executives prepare for their moment in the hot seat; we help ensure that what they are saying resonates with their audience.

Follow-up and Ongoing Counsel

The SPEAK Program doesn’t end when we walk out the door. We provide formal written feedback and recommendations to clients within a week of our training. We also provide a PDF with “helpful hints” clients can refer to before interviews and/or print out as an easy reference guide. And, of course, we offer ongoing counsel and are available to help prepare executives for future interviews or speaking opportunities.

Learn More

If you want to see the SPEAK training program in action, click below to read a case study.

Read Our Case Studies

Coverage Highlights

"10 times faster than a metal detector: AI Technology changing how local fans get into big events" |

(For Evolv Technology) "“The last thing we want anyone doing is standing in line trying to get into the building or the ballpark,” said Pete Nesbit, the Senior VP of Ballpark Operations with the Red Sox. Fenway just ditched the old-fashioned metal detectors and upgraded to ‘Evolv Express Technology’ in April." WATCH HERE

"ChatGPT and AI are the next worker recruitment and retention game changers" | CNBC

(For CEIPAL) "From screening resumes, scheduling candidate interviews, and supporting onboarding, AI can help at each stage of the candidate experience, says Sameer Penakalapati, CEO at Ceipal, an AI-driven talent acquisition platform." READ MORE

"Everything you know about computer vision may soon be wrong" | TechCrunch

(For Ubicept) "Computer vision could be a lot faster and better if we skip the concept of still frames and instead directly analyze the data stream from a camera. At least, that’s the theory that the newest brainchild spinning out of the MIT Media lab, Ubicept, is operating under." READ MORE

'Nobody can hold you back:' Partnership supports black-owned green energy business" | NBC10 Boston

(For Crackerjack Communications client Interise) "The Streetwise MBA Program at Interise is focused on helping minority-owned and women-owned small businesses thrive...“When you take this course, on average, you're going to grow 36% after your first year,” Byers said. “ There isn't a business we don't affect, whether it's construction, whether it's green energy..." WATCH HERE

"Tech layoffs may be continuing, but these skills are still in high demand" | MarketWatch

(For CEIPAL) "...CEIPAL CEO Sameer Penakalapati told MarketWatch that AI harnesses tech skills that have been around for years, such as the programming languages Python, JavaScript, C++, SQL and the newer C#. “If you’re building a cloud-enabled platform, these are skills you need all day long,” he said.” READ MORE

"These are the financial issues impacting women today" | ChedHER

(For Willow) "...Lacy Garcia, Founder and CEO of Willow, joins ChedHER to discuss the most pressing financial issues impacting women today, and everything you need to know about prenups...” WATCH HERE

How creative power of 4 can make teams more productive | Fast Company

(For Ideasicle) "...When you limit the team to four people and strategically pick exactly who those people are, you will greatly accelerate idea generation, and have fun doing it.” READ MORE

"Contact Tracing with Your Phone" | New York Times

(For PathCheck)"... Lots of new app ideas are emerging to track Covid-19, but each has issues around privacy, location accuracy and how much appeal it will have to the public and to health officials." READ MORE

"Pandemic relief funds present BIPOC businesses ‘opportunity of a lifetime,’ | Boston Biz Journal

(For Crakerjack Communications client Interise) "While many executives and government leaders huddle with employees and talk about ramping up diversity among their contractors, it’s the ones who rigorously check the data and follow up who are doing things right, according to Boston-area nonprofit leaders, advocates and small business owners." READ MORE

"25 EdTech Predictions" | Campus Technology

(For College Guidance Network) "...Consumers are going to be increasingly open to alternative pathways such as gap years, software training boot camps and shorter three-year online-only programs." .READ MORE

Invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion? You better be ready to prove it | INC.

(For Scratch Marketing & Media client Ovia Health) "Given the focus of our work at Ovia Health, passion is foundational rather than auxiliary, and the drive for equitable access to care is embedded in Ovia's products, in our culture, in the fundamentals of who we are." READ MORE

What should you do with your money to prepare for a recession? | CBS NEWS

(For Sagewell Financial) "...If you have inflation and a recession combined together, it's a whole different beast," said Sam Zimmerman, CEO of Sagewell Financial, a banking company geared toward seniors. WATCH HERE

SPEAK Media Training PROGRAM