Project: Food Standards Agency - Media Training
Summary: AVC’s Communication Trainer, Kirstin Gove worked closely with the Food Standards Agency to develop a tailored programme of training days for the organisation’s principal staff.

Background

The Food Standards Agency is an independent Government department set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food.

The Food Standards Agency recognised that being prepared to deal with the media during a crisis is as important as communicating positive news about their organisation.

AVC was contacted by the Agency to deliver a media training session, which would expose nominated media responders to a variety of real-life scenarios, preparing them on how to deal with the media during situations which could attract negative press attention.

Summary

AVC’s Communication Trainer, Kirstin Gove worked closely with the Food Standards Agency to develop a tailored programme of training days for the organisation’s principal staff.

Kirstin put together several training sessions which would expose FSA staff to the uncompromising demands and pressures of modern media requirements. This involved role play where two separate group sessions were held and FSA staff were given advice on how to handle difficult, and even hostile, media questioning.

Participants were guided through simulated radio, television and press conference simulations, giving them the best possible preparation for an unexpected event. They were taught how to stay in control and demonstrate the right amount of concern and authority.