spokesperson-briefing-note

Spokesperson Briefing Note

What This Skill Does

Writes a pre-interview briefing note for a spokesperson, covering the interview context, key messages, anticipated journalist questions, approved lines to take, and topics to avoid.

When To Use This Skill

• A spokesperson is about to be interviewed by a journalist — on camera, on radio, or in print — and needs structured preparation material
• You are preparing a senior executive who is not regularly in front of media and needs clear guidance on what to say and what to avoid
• The interview involves a sensitive topic, crisis, or controversial issue where messages must be tightly controlled
• You need a single document that functions as both prep material and a record of what was approved before the interview

What You Need To Provide

Required: The journalist's name, outlet, and the reported angle or subject of the interview; the spokesperson's name, title, and organisation; three to five key messages the spokesperson must land; any topics that are off-limits or must be handled with specific language; the interview format (TV, radio, print, podcast) and approximate duration.

Optional: A recent press release or statement the interview connects to; specific questions the journalist has submitted in advance; background on the journalist's likely angle or known position; previous on-record statements that must remain consistent; whether there is a call-to-action for the audience.

How the Assistant Approaches This

1. Opens with a one-paragraph interview context brief: who is interviewing them, why, the likely angle, and the tone the journalist is expected to take.
2. States the three to five key messages clearly, numbered, with a plain-English rationale for each — not just the message but why it matters to land it.
3. Lists the anticipated questions in journalist register (direct, sometimes adversarial), with a recommended response or line-to-take for each.
4. Provides a "Topics to avoid / handle carefully" section with explicit guidance: what not to say, what to redirect to, and the bridging language to use.
5. Closes with a one-sentence reminder of the single most important thing the spokesperson should leave the audience with.