Our training sessions consisted of a group session with multiple team members, digging deep into our curriculum, which offers strategies of how to effectively deliver messaging in any situation and provides specific tactics and tools for achieving success. Following the group sessions, we held multiple individual sessions in which we reviewed messaging and conducted mock TV and print interviews followed by detailed feedback and valuable Q&A sessions. The individual training sessions were incredibly effective as we crafted specific messaging and strategies best suited to each participant.

Following prep calls, the Emerson Street team developed a specific training strategy that would resonate with a range of stakeholders. We wanted to ensure that each person could clearly convey the powerful human impact of Counterpart’s work as well as specific examples of action and progress. A key part of the process was employing our media and presentation written curriculum. With more than 40 years of combined journalism experience, the Emerson Street team leverages the curriculum to help participants understand the rapidly changing media landscape and how to successfully maximize interview and speaking opportunities.

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For more than half a century, Counterpart International has worked to empower local communities around the world through a variety of ways and reached out to Emerson Street Media in 2022 for help with how to tell their story more effectively to donors and policymakers on Capitol Hill. During our initial conversations with leadership, it was evident that the people of Counterpart deeply believed in their mission and vision and wanted to ensure this passion and purpose came through in media interviews and public speaking opportunities.

The Counterpart International team members each said they left these sessions with a significant amount of new information and knowledge as well as a sense of confidence that they could go out and express the Counterpart narrative with clarity and enthusiasm. The Emerson Street team created an after-action report that provided each participant with a detailed summary of their sessions, including reviews, highlights and suggestions for improvement. We were not only humbled by the opportunity to work such an impactful organization but were also grateful that Counterpart International found these media and presentation training to have long-term value and benefits, including a local news interview with a Counterpart representative shortly after the training, during which she employed many of the strategies outlined during the sessions.