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4220 Cove Court, NE
Marietta, GA 30067
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Executive Rewind: Mel Gibson’s Lethal Weapon

It was fascinating to watch and listen to Mel Gibson during the Diane Sawyer interview. Reviewing his own, personal crisis, his words and body language frequently clashed. Indeed, he seemed to be squirming at times. His eye contact with Sawyer was inconsistent and even some of the things he said to very direct questions came off as disingenuous.

On the question of apologies, you have to wonder just how sincere Gibson’s been. “I’ve apologized more than anyone I know,” he said, “It’s getting old.”

Sawyer turned to the specific statements Gibson spewed after being arrested. A seemingly more honest response here as Gibson admitted his epithets were anti-Semitic, “It sounds horrible, and I’m ashamed of that.”

While confessing his weakness with alcohol, Gibson seemed to try to make himself the victim, but could not deny what he said had to have come from somewhere deep inside: “It has to have some kind of place, somewhere.”

But the most revealing moment may have been when Sawyer asks him what kind of drunk he is, and where his anger originates. Gibson’s body language is troubling and speaks loudly as he squirms and scratches.

Why did Mel Gibson do this interview? To put the crisis behind him? Hard to tell, but if that was his intention, it didn’t work. His frequent squirming and effort to blame the booze fail to validate any sincerity. How it all ultimately impacts his career remains to be seen. However, if Mel Gibson the actor, producer and director is perceived as a money-maker, Hollywood no doubt will continue to embrace him.

The Media Trainers® Re–winder Reminder:

If you or your company is in crisis and you’ve done something wrong, admit it. People usually are forgiving, but not if you deny, cover up, or try to position yourself as a victim when, in reality, you’re not.
Admitting a mistake, or a fault, requires you to be genuine and honest. If you’re not sincere, don’t even try. You’ll only do more damage.
You still have a right to prepare—in fact, it’s mandatory. And, you should seriously consider starting with an unscripted statement of contrition and concern.
Your body language is the overwhelming communicator. In fact, it probably accounts for more than 90% of what’s being “said.”

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Over 25 years of local & network news reporting and management experience
- Comprehensive knowledge of how media work and how to work with the media
- Managed more than 50 people
- Able to spot and develop talent
  - Hired and developed syndicated talk hosts Sean Hannity and Clark Howard and several news reporters who have gone on to network positions
  - Successfully molded and directed individuals into award winning broadcasters; more than 40 international, national, regional and statewide awards
- An understanding of running a business
  - Managed a seven figure budget
Deep experience in customized training
- TMT has conducted more than 450 workshops and consulting sessions with over 90 clients. Workshops are designed around the needs of each participant based on:
  - Their specific role inside the organization
  - Their available time for training
  - Their comfort level
  - Their level of experience dealing with the media
  - The type of interview(s) they will be doing
- Depending on your needs, our training will include:
  - Media skills built around The Media Trainers® 10 Rules of Interviewing™.
  - Tough questions preparations focusing on the most difficult inquiries reporters are apt to make.
  - Message development that gets your team "on message" to avert a crisis, diffuse an issue or promote your company.
  - Role playing, mock interviews and video clips drawn from our extensive library.
Attention to detail
- A Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company executive:
  - "A training program where somebody spoke our language, prepared materials that reflected our business needs, and gave us just the right amount of useful materials."
- A Coca-Cola Company executive:
  - "I was significantly impressed by the pertinent and well-researched, well prepared questions. Much better than my Proctor & Gamble training."
- A Southern Company executive:
  - "I believe that this training was right on target to what we needed. The trainer was well prepared, not only for our industry, but also our project subject matter. Thanks!"
- A Georgia Power Company executive:
  - "Trainer obviously knows our business and was excellent in identifying the areas we may be presented with while dealing with the media."
- A Mirant executive:
  - "I was very impressed with the prep work done by the trainer relating to our business. Our industry is complex and he quickly adjusted to our local (Canada) issues."
- An AGL Resources executive:
  - "Your training is straightforward and completely accomplished my objectives. Thank you for the open, honest feedback and relaying real life experiences."
Exclusive Tools Transferred to You
- Through hundreds of training sessions and constant refinement, we have developed a set of proprietary media and communications training tools that are fast and easy to use. Our kit creates message structure, and makes your communications tangible and focused on results. Proprietary communications tools include:
  - TMT's 10 Rules of Interviewing™
  - TMT's Exposure Grid™
  - TMT's 30 Minute News Interview Planner™

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