Michael Boyd,
President, The Boyd Group

Airlines keep cutting frills. Most “free” meals disappeared long ago. Now, they’re finding new things you have to pay for. Like those awful pillows.  Used pillows at that. Enter Mr. Sound Bite, a/k/a Michael Boyd, president of The Boyd Group, an airline analyst and consultant. 

He’s the guy many news organizations call on when they want an outside expert to comment on the commercial airlines. And Michael Boyd usually comes through. Case in point: a recent edition on one of Interviewing’s favorite programs to monitor, Fox News Channel’s Your World w/Neil Cavuto.

After airing a reporter package on all the new things airlines have found to tag a tariff onto, Cavuto turns to his newsmaker monitor to talk to Boyd. The quotes roll out:

"It is bad management, nickel and diming of customers…"
"Pillows are a hygiene item. (Even) If they’re free don’t take ‘em."
"What’s the next step, putting a pay toilet in the back of the airplane for coach?"

And there’s more. You can see and hear the interview by clicking here.

So what does all of this add up to?

The Media Trainers® Re–winder Reminder:

• Reporters are listening for quotes. Your ability to package and deliver memorable messages clearly will help you and your interviewer.
• Practice. Rehearse your spokesperson. No softballs, by the way. Make sure they know how to swing at the hard stuff, and the curveballs.
• Put the right person in front of the interviewer. Choosing the correct spokesperson is critical.
• The better job you do delivering quotes (your messages), the more you’ll be pursued by the media, helping build your image as an expert and the media’s go–to–guy/gal.