Andy Johnson

My career as a print journalist, broadcaster and media consultant spans more than 30 years. During a 17-year career with the BBC I presented live from London 2012, and spent five years presenting the award-winning BBC1 current affairs programme, Inside Out, making films with Sir Bobby Charlton, Lord Heseltine and Yoko Ono. As a freelance media consultant I work with clients including The National Trust, Bruntwood, The Royal College of Nursing, the NFU and the Allied Manchester Business School.

My work includes media coaching and presentation masterclasses, event & webinar hosting and facilitating, film-making and production, university lecturing, hosting podcasts and providing voice-overs for videos. I also copywrite for clients after my years in journalism and broadcast. I offer excellence and experience in media & communications.

Freelance Media Consultant - Andy Johnson Media - Manchester

(2013)

I left the BBC in 2012, and in 2013 set up my own media consultancy business, Andy Johnson Media, based in Manchester. I work with clients to make them confident communicators and to make all of their content stand out whether it is written, or broadcast.

• My clients include the National Trust, the National Farmers’ Union, the Royal College of Nursing Bruntwood and the Alliance Manchester Business School.
• Using my expertise and experience I offer media coaching and presentation masterclasses.
• I host events and webinars and have worked with Jeremy Vine and Theo Paphitis.
• I make videos for clients, host podcasts and do voice-over work.

Presenting and broadcasting work - BBC North West Tonight

(2012)

• In July 2012, BBC North West Tonight hired me to cover Sir Bradley Wiggins’ historic Tour de France victory in Paris.
• I then travelled to London 2012 to be the programme’s Olympics presenter, broadcasting live from several events, including the cycling road race and time trial and the open water swimming.
• I also presented live from the BBC’s Olympic studios during the games.
• I covered the 2015 General Election for BBC radio, and have worked at MediaCityUK producing BBC Breakfast.

University lecturing - Manchester Metropolitan University

• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Salford

(2013 - 2018)

I am leading the MSc in Public Relations in March 2018 at Manchester Metropolitan University. In February and March of 2017, and 2018 Dr Jane Tongue also invited me to guest host lectures for her final year PR group and I brought in expert industry colleagues including Jo Leah, one of the UK’s leading PR managing directors and John Pickford from Bauer Media. I have also guest lectured for Wendy Moran in the same department in 2018.

From October 2016, at Manchester Metropolitan University, I lectured at the Business School on Media Relations and PR as part of the Bsc PR and Marketing combined honours degree course. With the University of Central Lancashire I was hired in January 2016 to teach a foundation class on sports print journalism. At the University of Salford I spent a semester in 2013 lecturing on TV production.

Media Coaching - Various organisations

I travel the country running media coaching training sessions with organisations including the National Farmers’ Union and the Alliance Manchester Business School. This can anything from be one-on-one work with people at executive level to group sessions of up to six people. This work includes coaching clients on what the media wants, how journalists work, how to prepare for media interviews and appearances, dealing with difficult questions and getting back on track.

It includes myself and a TV lighting cameraman with full broadcast kit doing radio and TV interviews and then reviewing them with the clients. I later offer a written report with feedback and advice on how each individual should progress. Feedback from an NFU group session graded my training as “excellent” With the Alliance Manchester Business School I work by coaching academics on how to get their message and story across to a general audience and not just the insular world of academia.

It is quite a challenge but has worked very well.

Kathryn

Howard, the content and communications manager, said: “Andy’s experience and expertise shines through. His quick wit and approachable style helps participants to translate their

Event & Webinar hosting and production of event videos - Various clients - Manchester

• London

(2013 - 2018)

This work utilises my skills as a live performer and host. It includes everything from hosting black tie dinners and conferences, outdoor events, business roundtable discussions and private dinners. In November 2018 I host Bruntwood’s Thrive event in front of 600 people at The Albert Hall in Manchester.

The CEO Chris Olgesby said: “Andy did a fantastic job. His wit, energy and professionalism ensure that our keynote event ran smoothly and kept everyone engaged.” From 2016-18 I was the live host at the advertising industry’s biggest annual European event, ADWeek Europe, held in Piccadilly Circus in London. The interviews are live streamed and have seen me chatting to major figures from business as well as celebrity guests including Stanley Tucci, Piers Morgan, Lauren Laverne and David Haye.

Richard

Larsson, director of social media and content for Advertising Week said: “We’ve been fortunate enough to have Andy host our 1-1 interview stage this past three years at Advertising Week Europe. To say Andy is simply professional, is a huge understatement. He brings a level of enthusiasm, personality and intelligence to each interview that’s rarely seen in our B2B world. Our product is tru

Presentation Masterclasses & media insight - Various clients

I run masterclasses called “Don’t Brick It – Nail It” to get clients ready prepared and confident for any public speaking, pitching or speeches in front of an audience. I have run day sessions for Insider Media, and the editorial director Miri Thomas said: “Andy provided us with plenty of easy to follow advice delivered professionally and with passion.” My expertise and practical knowledge of the media, plus great contacts at MediaCityUK, sees me work with clients wanting to learn how to pitch themselves as expert guests, and their company’s story as content, to busy newsrooms. I ran my own presentation/workshop on this issue for Pro-Manchester called Have You Got News For Me?

I work with the National Trust in Wales on storytelling techniques and how to ensure that the germ of an idea is transformed into a “must have” story for the media.

Kenneth Smith from the National Trust said: “Andy is someone who goes that extra bit further to get under the skin of what your training needs are. He gets to know the organisation and people he is training for, and delivers his vast media experience and knowledge in a way that stimulates understanding and creativity. He is a pleasure to work with

Film-making - BBC1

• Royal College of Nursing
• Saffery Champness; independent production companies

Having made films for BBC1 for 17 years, on everything from news, current affairs, documentaries and sport, I now use that knowledge to make corporate films for clients. With the Royal College of Nursing I produced a series of training films for their website, and a special film, featuring one of the RCN members, to be broadcast at an annual conference.

With Saffery

Champness, I produced a series of films, travelling around the UK, on the life-cycle of entrepreneurs. I have also worked as a presenter and producer with independent production companies including Picture

I have an honours degree in drama and English.