• "I’ve worked with McGrath/Power for more than 10 years at companies in the enterprise and consumer technology markets – all with the same excellent results – driving awareness and delivering new customers – and bottom-line impact. The agency has been a trusted strategic partner at each of my companies and their value add cannot be overstated."

    - Phil Underwood

    Vice President, IPLocks

  • "PR is a very important function for our company as we operate in a crowded market with several aggressive competitors. Since we’ve worked with McGrath/Power, the change in our overall visibility has been significant and has helped move our business forward."

    - Jim Pante

    CEO, Tablus

  • "McGrath/Power has played in instrumental role in launching TiVo, helping us create the DVR product category and establishing the TiVo brand as synonymous with personal TV. The agency has great experience in both consumer and technology, which helped bring our story to life and influence our target audiences. I’ve worked with numerous agencies during my career and the TiVo launch with McGrath/Power was one of the most powerful public relations campaigns I’ve been involved with."

    - Ed MacBeth

    VP Marketing, TiVo

  • "I would recommend Jonathan and McGrath/Power to anyone wanting an exceptional, intelligent PR and Communications partner. I’ve worked directly with Jonathan for several years and at two start-ups – his quality of work is extraordinary and unique in his industry."

    - Shaun Coleman

    Co-Founder, Reconnex

  • "I’ve been impressed with McGrath/Power each time I’ve brought the agency on board as my strategic public relations partner. The agency’s ability to align the PR function with the goals of our company was key in driving business success factors, whether an acquisition or a major corporate repositioning. Beyond that, knowing that I have both the agency’s management team and skilled tacticians each playing an active role on my program enables me to have the perfect balance of strategic planning and successful program implementation."

    - Ed Murrer

    VP Marketing, Xcert
    (acquired by RSA Security)

  • "Your work exceeded my wildest expectations, and I thank you. We met with virtually every major business, consumer and tech publication that mattered and I made a dozen significant VC and carrier contacts through your efforts. From a messaging point of view, our story is crisp, clean, simple and above all, easy to relate to and clearly understood by our target audiences and the press that writes for them – a far cry from when I first approached you. I know that on this day I am your happiest client and most enthusiastic supporter. In fact, I don’t feel like a client at all. I feel like McGrath/Power is an integral part of the EasyReach team."

    - John Stossel

    CEO, EasyReach

  • "McGrath/Power played a critical role in establishing our MailStation email appliance as an important consumer electronics offering for those without a personal computer. The MailStation public relations effort helped reposition our company in the CE space and was a key driver in our acquisition by EarthLink. I was just as pleased to refer McGrath/Power to EarthLink to provide that company with PR activities surrounding the MailStation as I was to work alongside their team."

    - Tim Dooley

    Senior Vice President, CIDCO

  • "McGrath/Power is our strategic communications partner for technology issues in the United States and the agency has demonstrated its ability to get our message heard in that very noisy market."

    - Jon Earl

    Senior Group Media Relations Manager, Vodafone Group Plc

  • "McGrath/Power provided essential strategic PR counsel and consistently solid results over the nine years we partnered with them at Intellisync. They took us from start-up through IPO and beyond while always providing fresh perspective and proactive input."

    - Brad Rowe

    Founder,
    Intellisync Corporation

Preparing for Media Interviews: 5 Tips for Success

Interviews require poise, confidence and planning. Find out how to make yours run more smoothly with these preparation tips.


You’ve finally secured that crucial interview with a coveted publication. Armed with an index card of key points and in-depth knowledge of your organization, you’re ready to answer anything they throw at you, right?

Wrong. There’s more to preparing for media interviews than memorizing your messages. In fact, some of the most important aspects of media interview training are often the most overlooked. From how you prepare for the event to the tone you use, little things can make a big difference when dealing with the media. So before you head out to your big interview, read these six simple tips from the PR pros:

  • Do your homework. When it comes to preparing for media interviews, knowing the publication’s name is just the start. To really make an impression, you need to know the finer points as well. What’s the audience of the publication? Who is the reporter, and what type of tone and style does he or she tend to use? Knowing these things will help you tailor your approach – and impress the writer.
  • Customize your message. Not only should you modify your message to the publication’s audience, but to the type of story as well. For example, a story about future trends invites high-level ideas, whereas a new product feature is all about product benefits and differentiation.
  • Remember the three C’s. Every aspect of your communications plan must be clear, concise and compelling – and your media interview technique is no exception. Once you’ve determined the right message to resonate with your audience, learn it well.
  • Stay positive. An upbeat, positive attitude will nearly always work in your best interests. Not only can it help you avoid negative questions from a reporter, but it can set the mood for the whole interview.
  • Have a plan. Know the points you want to get across before you walk in the door – and be prepared to work them in no matter what questions the reporter asks. However, don’t neglect to answer the specific question you were asked or you risk pushing your own agenda too hard.
  • Ask a professional. Preparing for media interviews takes time, energy and practice. It also takes an experienced guide. Just as you’re an expert in your company’s product or service, public relations professionals are experts at media relations training. Don’t be afraid to enlist their services.

Whether it’s your first media event or your fiftieth, preparing for media interviews is an ongoing learning process. From crafting your key messages to helping you create and maintain a consistent brand image, tone and messaging, a full-service public relations and communications agency can help you with every aspect of media interview training – and so much more.

At McGrath/Power, we’re adept at providing public relations and communications services to a diverse group of clients, from strategic communications for consumer brands to high-tech PR in the fast-paced Silicon Valley market. Contact us today to find out how we can help you with preparing for media interviews, media relations training and so much more.