Local Councils
Training adapted to the different media responsibilities of council staff and senior colleagues.
The Local Councils case study describes Hawkeye Media's work with several councils over a series of sessions, usually delivered online. The brief distinguished between staff needing introductory preparation and senior people facing more demanding interviews.
The brief
For some positions, the priority was learning to deal with journalists and carry out straightforward local interviews. The programme also needed to accommodate senior staff preparing for proactive communication and crisis interviews.
These needs sit at different levels of responsibility. A council training brief therefore benefits from identifying who may speak, the subjects they handle and how much interview experience they already have.
How Hawkeye Media helped
Hawkeye Media delivered a series of sessions for council staff, with most training described as online. Introductory preparation and more advanced crisis and proactive interview work formed part of the documented scope.
The published feedback highlights the relevance of the course level, useful content and immediate interview feedback. It names Helen and Kamal's contributions while keeping the council and individual department head anonymous.
Client feedback
I found the course pitched really well, the content useful and engaging
Department head at a borough council
The department head describes feeling better equipped to face an interview and values the feedback given during the session. The comments draw attention to the course level, engaging content and immediate advice on interview performance.
Planning similar preparation
When planning a council programme, separate introductory needs from those of more experienced spokespeople. That helps define the level of questioning and the balance between everyday local interviews and more difficult organisational issues.
Explore Online media training and Crisis media training.
Plan training around your council's media responsibilities
Tell us about the roles taking part, their experience and the situations they need to prepare for. We will discuss suitable sessions and delivery arrangements.