Jacksonville and Northeast Florida
Media training in Jacksonville, FL
I run media training and crisis communications rehearsals for leaders in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. It's called a Hot Seat: 60 to 90 minutes on camera, with me playing the reporter. It's $3,500 a session, in person in the Jacksonville area or by video.
What a Hot Seat is
One bad answer becomes the clip. The Hot Seat is where you hear the hard question first, before it's on the record.
- You bring what's coming: the interview on Wednesday, the hearing next month, the week that's already gone sideways.
- I play the reporter and ask what a reporter would ask.
- You answer on camera, watch it back and go again. Your communications lead sits in.
- You leave with a draft holding statement for your lawyer to review and a written debrief: what you decided, what to fix, what to practice next.
More on the Hot Seat
Who it's for
Any leader in Northeast Florida who answers to the public:
- A CEO with a TV interview on the calendar
- A new or interim leader before a first board or council meeting
- An executive heading into a hearing, a merger or a hard week
- A public agency head before hurricane season
PR agencies book it for their clients, too. Same price, billed to the agency, and the agency's name stays on the relationship.
In person or by video
In person
I come to your office, or a room you pick, in the Jacksonville area. Same fee, plus travel at cost.
By video
You sit at the same camera you'd use for a remote interview, so you rehearse on the setup you'll use for real.
Who plays the reporter
Former career police officer, six years as the Gainesville (FL) Police Department's only spokesperson.
Nearly a decade in corporate communications at a Fortune 60 insurer.
As a cop, I used words instead of the tools on my belt. As a spokesperson, I fielded everything from barking dogs to a murder case that drew international media attention. At the insurer, I got executives ready for the camera.
I'm based in the Jacksonville area.
Questions about media training in Jacksonville
Where can I get media training in Jacksonville, FL?
I'm Ben Tobias, and I run media training for leaders in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida through Catalyst19. It's called a Hot Seat: 60 to 90 minutes on camera, with me playing the reporter, at your office or by video. It works for a planned interview, a hearing or a crisis that's already started.
How much does media training cost in Jacksonville?
A Hot Seat is $3,500 for one session of 60 to 90 minutes. In person is the same fee, plus travel at cost. It's a fixed price, paid before we start. Public agencies and PR agencies can start on a signed purchase order.
Will you come to our office in Jacksonville?
Yes. I'll come to your office or a room you pick in the Jacksonville area, at the same fee plus travel at cost. If your leaders are in different cities, we can do the session by video.
Can a public agency in Northeast Florida book a crisis communications rehearsal?
Yes. City, county and other public agencies can book a Hot Seat on a signed purchase order. In Florida, most government records, emails included, are open to anyone who asks, so a reporter can often get the emails behind a story. We can rehearse for that, too.
Can our Jacksonville PR agency book a Hot Seat for a client?
Yes. Agencies can book a Hot Seat for a client on a signed purchase order. Same price, billed to the agency, and your name stays on the relationship.
How it works
- A named person on your team approves what goes out.
- I tell you when AI drafted something.
- No AI-generated voice or face speaks in your name.
- You own what I write for you. I keep my methods.
- A Hot Seat statement is a draft for your lawyer. It isn't legal advice.
Hot Seat: $3,500, fixed price, paid before we start. In person at the same fee plus travel at cost. Public agencies and PR agencies can book on a signed purchase order.
Book 20 minutes20 minutes on Zoom. Bring what's coming up. You'll leave knowing whether a Hot Seat fits. See all three jobs