Experience, Creativity and Commitment

 

"The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."

Thomas Jefferson, 1787

"I deplore... the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed and the malignity, the vulgarity, and mendacious spirit of those who write for them..."

Thomas Jefferson, 1814

 

John C. Van Gieson , the president of the firm, is a respected former journalist who covered Florida state government and politics for The Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald and Associated Press for more than 20 years. He was also communications director for the state Department of Education and the 1994 Save Our Everglades intiative campaign.


Media Coach

Media Coach

Media Coach is a media training business formed by two veteran Florida journalists, John Van Gieson and Pam Forrester, to teach clients how to make the most of their contacts with the media.

Are you afraid of the media? Do you think they’re out to get you or your organization? We’ll teach you how to focus your message and show you in practice interviews what works when reporters are on your case. We give you the confidence you need to overcome “media-phobia.”

Can’t get the media to pay attention to your message? John and Pam will teach you what works and what doesn’t when you’re trying to get the newspaper and the TV stations to cover your activities. We’ll show you how to make your message media friendly.

We approach media training from a unique perspective, drawing on nearly four decades of newspaper and television journalism experience. Believing two heads are better than one, we each focus on our specialty. John was a political and government reporter for the Miami Herald, Associated Press and Orlando Sentinel. Pam was a reporter and news anchor for WCTV, the CBS affiliate in Tallahassee, and Today in the Florida Legislature on public television, gaining behind-the-scenes experience at CNN.

Media Coach presentations are practical, informative and entertaining. Whether we’re dealing with one executive or dozens of associates, we tailor our presentations to meet your needs. Call now to book a Media Coach media training presentation at your next conference or meeting.


Testimonials

“Your presentation was full of good advice on working with the media. The practice interviews were especially helpful in showing me how to get my message across to the media. Thank you for taking the time to work with me.”

Florida House Speaker Allan Bense

"I was lucky enough to participate in the excellent workshop that Pam and John offered our Leadership Tallahassee class. They were great in that they simply explained what we needed to do to get our messges out clearly and consisely."

Jerry Osteryoung, executive director, Jim Moran Institute of Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University

"Excellent!! Awesome training. . . Ecellent instructor, interesting material. . . Great tips on now to handle an interview. . . I have learned how to protect myself and agency in a media frenzy. . . Will view media as a tool instead of a nuuisance."

Comments from Florida Department of Law Enforcement media training session



 
 
Van Gieson Media - Public Relations•Media Relations•Media Training•Advertising•Newsletters•Writing

Van Gieson Media
519 E. Park Ave. , Tallahassee , FL 32301
Phone: 850-681-6505

Media Coach - Public Relations•Media Relations•Media Training•Advertising•Newsletters•Writing