Guinness World Record Holder  ·  Former NBC, ABC & FOX Producer  ·  20+ Years Training Executives Speak with Jess
About Jess Todtfeld

The media trainer C-suite and senior executives call when their message cannot afford to miss.

Executive media training is a one-day intensive for C-suite leaders covering message development, bridging, sound bites, and hostile-question handling. Jess Todtfeld spent 13 years as a television producer at NBC, ABC, and FOX, the person on the other side of the camera deciding which senior leaders came across as authoritative and which lost the audience in seconds. He has since trained hundreds of C-suite executives, board members, investor-relations teams, and senior spokespeople to deliver a sharp, credible message in any high-stakes environment.

Guinness World Record Holder CSP: Top 1% of Speakers Globally Author of Media Secrets Former NBC · ABC · FOX Producer
Work with Jess
Jess Todtfeld, Media Trainer
🏆
112
Guinness World Record
Most Media Interviews in 24 Hours · 96 officially certified
June 2009 · full story
20+
Years training senior executives
112
Guinness World Record story (96 certified)
13
Years producing NBC, ABC & FOX Television
500+
Customized programs for executives and teams
Client results

What C-Suite and Senior Leaders say about working with Jess

The audience was laser focused. It was unbelievable... we closed a million dollar assignment. This training was invaluable!
Les RichmondDirector of Communications, Global Advertising and Brand Management, Hay Group
I now feel like I have the tools to be able to create more action from the people I speak to. I am grateful for the on-camera practice. I was immediately able to make changes to my presentations and improve them on the spot.
Ryan SorleySenior Analyst, Gartner
After a robust, one-day training I went from being a disorganized and hard-to-watch talking head to an authoritative brand steward ready for the toughest interview. The value in Jess’ approach was in his tough, real-time coaching and practical suggestions to manage the interview to ensure my message prevailed. I would certainly hire Jess again.
Daniel PeirceInvestor and Advisor, ex-Gatorade, Starbucks, Welch's, adidas Group, Save the Children
I've worked with Jess several times through the years and have always been impressed with his ability to convert a group of skeptical subject-matter experts into better speakers and presenters. Jess is always prepared and professional and helps his clients get it. I'd highly recommend him to anyone in need of improving their ability to deliver smart and engaging presentations or talk to the media or other groups.
Jeff MeyersMarketing and Communications Consultant
Jess gave me easy to use strategies to change my appearance. I realized how body language was influencing my message.
Michael S. JensenPresident, AIG Europe
The background

Why executives trust Jess (and not just any media coach)

Most media trainers were never in the room where it happens. Jess was. For 13 years, he worked as a television producer and booker at NBC, ABC, and FOX Television: the person deciding which guests made air, which messages landed, and which executives came across as credible under pressure.

That background shapes everything about how Jess trains. He doesn't teach theory. He teaches what actually works in front of a camera, a reporter, or a room full of skeptical stakeholders, because he's spent years on the other side of the lens deciding who gets the benefit of the doubt.

"The goal isn't to make you sound polished. It's to make you sound like yourself, at your best, under pressure."

In June 2009, Jess helped set a Guinness World Record for most media interviews given in 24 hours: 112 radio interviews, 96 officially certified in a single day. It wasn't a stunt. It was a demonstration: mastering the art of delivering a sharp, credible message in any format, any context, repeatedly, without losing clarity or composure. Read the full story behind the record.

Jess holds the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, placing him in the top 1% of professional speakers worldwide. He is the author of multiple books on media and communication, including the international bestseller Media Secrets: A Media Training Crash Course.

Credentials

What sets Jess apart

  • Guinness World Record holder for 112 media interviews in 24 hours, 96 officially certified
  • 13 years as TV producer and national media booker at NBC, ABC, FOX Television
  • CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), awarded to the top 1% of speakers globally
  • Author of multiple books on media, communication, and messaging
  • Clients include Google, JPMorgan, American Express, LinkedIn, ASPCA, and the United Nations
  • Programs delivered live and virtually across 12+ core industries
  • New York City training studio on Madison Avenue, available for intensive programs
HSP: High Stakes Presenter Methodology

How Jess trains, and why it works

Every program Jess delivers is built around one belief: communication under pressure is a skill, not a talent. It can be learned, practiced, and owned by anyone willing to work at it.

The approach is practical from minute one. No lengthy theory sessions. No generic frameworks that could apply to any industry. Every tool is tested against real scenarios your team will actually face.

  • 01

    Diagnose first

    Every engagement starts with understanding your specific situation: the interview, the audience, the risk, the message. Nothing is generic.

  • 02

    Build the message architecture

    Jess's proprietary Sound Bite System gives executives a repeatable framework for structuring any answer under any conditions.

  • 03

    Practice under pressure

    Real exercises with hostile questions, off-topic pivots, and camera situations that mirror what your executives will actually face.

  • 04

    Walk away ready

    Every participant leaves with specific, personalized talking points and a set of tools they can use immediately, not someday.

Executive media training: what do senior leaders ask most?

What does media training for executives actually cover?

Executive media training covers message development, bridging techniques, sound bite construction, hostile-question handling, on-camera presence, and crisis response. For senior leaders we also cover analyst days, earnings call follow-ups, town halls, and board communication. The curriculum is customized to the specific media situations you actually face.

Can Jess train our entire executive team at once?

Yes. Group sessions for executive leadership teams create consistent messaging and a shared communication framework. We typically run cohorts of 4 to 8 executives over one or two days. This is often the most cost-effective way to build communication strength across an organization, and every participant still gets individual on-camera practice.

Is executive media training appropriate for board members?

Yes. Board members increasingly face investor scrutiny, governance questions, and media exposure. We deliver discreet board-prep sessions covering crisis-period communication, public statements, and Q&A discipline. All sessions are conducted under strict confidentiality, and Jess works directly with executives and their communications teams with full discretion.

How fast can media training be delivered for our executives?

For urgent situations we have delivered same-week training, including rapid prep before a high-stakes interview, earnings call, or crisis announcement. Standard scheduling is two to four weeks out for one-day intensives, longer for larger cohort programs. Many executives also engage Jess for targeted preparation before earnings calls, congressional testimony, or major announcements.

Will I work directly with Jess or with an associate trainer?

You work directly with Jess. Every session, whether it's a one-on-one executive coaching session or a team workshop, is personally led by Jess Todtfeld. There are no associate trainers, no junior coaches, and no bait-and-switch. When you hire Success in Media, you get the person whose name is on the door.

How much does executive media training cost?

Executive media training typically ranges from $1,000 to $15,000 per engagement, depending on how many people are being trained and the level of customization. A focused single-session intensive sits at the lower end. A multi-month engagement with on-call preparation before board meetings, investor conversations, and media appearances sits at the higher end. One-on-one intensives, small groups, and full-team programs are all custom-quoted.

See what this would cost your team

Answer a few quick questions and get a tailored recommendation with pricing. It takes about two minutes.

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