Media and Communication Specialist
Jillian is a familiar face on Queensland television – with over 30 years experience as a journalist, newsreader and TV presenter with the Seven and Nine networks, She’s currently a presenter on Channel Seven’s much-loved lifestyle program, Weekender and owner of communication coaching firm, Media Potential.
A career in the media spotlight has led to a successful communication business, Media Potential, coaching corporate leaders, politicians, athletes and influencers to be engaging and unforgettable communicators... on and off camera.
Jillian is also highly respected as a host and moderator across a broad range of events from economic forums to opening night galas.
And she is proud to serve on the Women in Media Queensland Committee.
Talking Points
MC & Host
An excellent MC will lift the calibre of your event.MC & Host
Jillian is warm, confident and experienced and will set the tone for your event from the start.
With over 30 years' experience in the media, she has hosted every kind of event possible, there is no crowd too big or small. Each event is treated as unique, and Jillian's attention to detail is unmatched as she researches the industry and speakers with genuine interest.
Jillian's greatest strength is bringing a panel to life, asking the right questions at the right time and ensuring each person has time in the spotlight.
Keynote or Workshop: Media & Presentation Skills
The media can be intimidating, regardless of whether you want to attract the media spotlight or avoid it entirely. In this practical workshop Jillian Whiting and Suzanne Stark will help you understand what to expect from the media and give tips on preparing for interviews quickly. You’ll learn critical communication skills to build confidence, deliver engaging performances, and protect your organisation’s reputation.Keynote or Workshop: Media & Presentation Skills
Anyone interested in understanding how to handle the media—whether a journalist arrives with questions or you’re proactively seeking coverage. This practical, engaging workshop is ideal for conference keynote or
breakout sessions, and can be tailored for audiences from entry-level staff to senior executives and board members.
What is covered?
Doorstop Interview (start of session – optional)
The session can kick off with a 'doorstop' style interview with delegates as they enter the room.
Media Basics (with slide deck 30 minutes)
· Presenting style
· How to deliver key messages
· What does a journalist want
· Interview techniques TV vs Radio and Digital/Print
· Body Language
· Using your voice - pace and pause
· What makes great interview talent
Door Stop Playback (15 minutes)
Play back the earlier doorstops and discuss any strengths or potential improvement in the interview answers. This session provides the tips and advice of dealing with all kinds of media interactions.
Crisis Media(15 minutes)
· Staying on message/pivots
· Left field/curly questioning
· Trusted Brand delivery
· The rules of engaging with journalists - off the record - no comment
Practical Interviews (20 minutes)
Volunteers are interviewed on stage to put newly learned skills into practice.
Q and A (10 minutes)
Workshop: Demystifying Media
What would you do if a Television news crew turned up to your office and started asking questions? Workshop: Demystifying Media
In this exciting conference experience, delegates have the chance to feel what it’s like in the media spotlight, while learning the tips and tricks of nailing a great interview.
Experienced broadcaster, journalist and communications coach, Jillian Whiting, brings a professional camera crew to your conference to “doorstop interview” your delegates on the way in. The style and tone of the surprise vox pops are up to you!
The clips are then replayed later in the day to the group, as we kick start an interactive 60- or 90-minute workshop on “demystifying media”. Delegates will learn the industry secrets on how to use their voice, language and gestures to look calm and confident, even if they have no idea of the answer!
Delegates will walk away with a practical communication toolkit including exercises and video examples that will equip them to face the media in any situation.
This is an engaging workshop with humour and insight that works well as a team building exercise.
Workshop: Creating Confident Communicators
You may not want to be a TED level talker – but you need to be interesting and engaging enough to not send your audience to sleep. Particularly if that audience is your boss.Workshop: Creating Confident Communicators
Taking the lessons from over 30 years in Media and Television, Jillian Whiting and Suzanne Stark have developed a practical and entertaining workshop for workplace teams that will eliminate boring from the boardroom.
Their approach is simple and effective, with their unique communication checklist that focuses on confidence, clarity, body language, voice and how to put together a sharp speech or presentation that lands every time.
At Media Potential, we give our clients strategies to overcome their fears, and give them the tools to simplify their presentation prep and make the most out of every speaking opportunity. Our workshops are interactive and custom designed for any aspiring speaker, regardless of experience.
Media Potential’s Presentation Training workshops focus on the following areas:
- How to hold your audience
- Body language and vocal skills
- Non-verbal communication
- How to overcome nerves
- Research and planning
- Content and structure
- Understanding audience types
- Language style
- Editing
- Delivering key messages
- Simplifying complex messages
- Using presenting tools
- Audience engagement
- Q & A’s – how to deal with tricky questions and control a discussion.
We can create a workshop that works for you and your team, from a full day team-building experience at Channel 7 Brisbane, to small group coaching in your office and one and one sessions to prep for those who do want to nail that TED Talk.
Jillian was easy to work with. She did a lot of reading before the event to ensure she was up on the topic. She took the brief to ensure she was providing exactly what the client was after ... keep reading Cathy James Events
Jillian was the moderator of Business South Bank’s 20th anniversary lunch panel discussion. There is no doubt that her professionalism and experience helped to ensure that it was a successful event. Jillian kept the conversation flowing, gave the audience plenty of notice for questions, controlled the room beautifully and ended the panel discussion right on time – a skill on its own, as most panel discussions seem to run over. Not only did she carry off her duties effortlessly, her professionalism allowed me to be relax knowing I was in good hands, and to top it all off she was a delight to work with.
Our client event was a great success and having Jillian Whiting as our MC ensured proceedings ran smoothly. She was professional, well prepared and the perfect choice. Our client was very happy and so were we!
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