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About Jess Todtfeld

The media trainer government and public-sector leaders call when every word is on the record.

Media training for government leaders is the preparation that readies elected officials, agency heads, and public information officers for press conferences, legislative hearings, constituent meetings, and crises. Jess Todtfeld spent 13 years as a television producer at NBC, ABC, and FOX, on the other side of the camera, deciding which public officials communicated with authority and which lost credibility in the first 30 seconds. Since then he has trained federal agencies, city government teams, state representatives, and public-sector communications directors to deliver their message with clarity under any level of press scrutiny.

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Jess Todtfeld seated on a stool between two studio lights, smiling at the camera
Jess Todtfeld13 years producing at ABC, NBC and FOX
Quick answer

Jess Todtfeld is the founder of Success in Media, an executive media trainer and presentation coach in New York City. He spent 13 years as a television producer at ABC, NBC and FOX, is a Guinness World Record holder, and is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), held by fewer than 1% of speakers worldwide. He wrote the bestseller Media Secrets.

Updated

From the producer's chair to the training room and the stage

Nine scenes from Jess's career: the network years, the record, the training room, the book and the stage. Pick a scene, drag the playhead, or use the arrow keys.

  1. Producer13 years at ABC, NBC and FOXTelevision producer and booker. The person deciding which guests made air, which messages landed, and which executives came across as credible under pressure.
  2. Jess Todtfeld pointing at the framed Guinness World Records certificate
    The recordGuinness World Record, June 2009112 interviews completed, 96 officially certified, in a single day.
  3. Jess, in silhouette, filming a client against a white studio backdrop
    TrainerOn camera, with instant playbackParticipants answer real interview questions on camera, watch the recording immediately, get specific coaching, and repeat.
  4. Jess in profile at a camera rig with a shotgun microphone and an equipment rack behind him
    TrainerEvery session led by JessNo associate trainers and no junior coaches. You work directly with Jess.
  5. Jess teaching at a blue studio backdrop while participants with notebooks watch
    TrainerIn the training roomMistakes happen in the training room, not in public, and improvement is visible within the first few rounds.
  6. AuthorMedia SecretsA Media Training Crash Course, the #1 international bestseller. One of multiple books on media and communication.
  7. Jess speaking to a room with a projected slide behind him
    SpeakerCertified Speaking ProfessionalGiven by the National Speakers Association and held by fewer than 1% of speakers worldwide. Earned with 300+ documented speeches and presentations, 10 years of financial records, and a committee video review.
  8. Jess on a ballroom stage in front of blue curtains, audience tables in the foreground
    SpeakerLive, in the roomPrograms are delivered live and virtually across 12+ core industries.
  9. Jess at a lectern with several press microphones and flags behind him
    SpeakerAt the press lecternPreparing spokespeople for press interviews, on-camera appearances, and high-pressure public communication.

Client results

What Government and Public-Sector Leaders say about working with Jess

Jess Todtfeld and his company, Success In Media provided training for our senior managers at the Social Security Administration. While I was expecting a lecture, I was happy to see that his program was interactive. We enjoyed being able to have hands-on practice which made the material come alive. I have also found his post-training video resources to be important and has helped us remember what was learned. I appreciate Jess Todtfeld's work with the team and recommend him to others.

Carmen MorenoRegional Communications Director, Social Security Administration

The on-camera work gave me validation that I can do this. Strategies for preparing better to be more effective with the media were important. I like the concept of controlling the reporter, not worrying about the questions but using your answer system to get my messages across.

Eve J. RappoportCommunity Services Supervisor, City of Glendale, California

Jess did an excellent job! It was a well-paced presentation. The on-camera experience was the most helpful part of the session, and non-threatening!

Dwight D. Walth, D.M.A.Director of Grants Services and Community Initiatives, City of Phoenix

The techniques Jess gave me are invaluable for effective messaging.

Don PhillipsState Representative, Missouri House of Representatives

Jess provided hands-on, concrete strategies to improve my comfort and skill working with media. I learned tips, e.g., posture, dress, talking points, language, and voice inflection, that I put into practice right away. I would definitely recommend Jess as a trainer on how to effectively work with the media.

Laurie BechhoferTraining Participant, Michigan Department of Education

Why executives trust Jess, and not just any media coach

Media training is a structured coaching program that teaches executives and spokespeople how to communicate effectively during press interviews, on-camera appearances, and high-pressure public communication situations.

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 ABC, NBC and FOX, 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. The result, in a single day: 112 interviews completed, 96 officially certified by Guinness. It wasn't a stunt. It was a demonstration. Jess had mastered the art of delivering a sharp, credible message in any format, any context, with any interviewer, repeatedly, without losing clarity or composure. Read the full story behind the record.

That same discipline is what he builds into every executive he trains. Whether it's a Fortune 500 CEO preparing for a 60 Minutes segment, a nonprofit director facing a hostile local reporter, or a financial advisor learning to close on camera. The methodology is the same: clear message, confident delivery, no surprises.

Jess holds the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, held by fewer than 1% of speakers worldwide. It is a special designation given by the National Speakers Association, and it has to be earned: Jess documented more than 300 speeches and presentations, submitted financial records covering a 10-year span, and had his speaking reviewed on video by a committee of fellow CSPs.

He is the author of multiple books on media and communication, including the #1 international bestseller Media Secrets: A Media Training Crash Course.

Jess has appeared on and been featured in

Television

  • ABC
  • NBC
  • CBS
  • CNBC
  • FOX
  • FOX News
  • The Daily Show

Print and news

  • The New York Times
  • The Washington Post
  • Forbes
  • Fortune
  • The Associated Press
  • Fast Company
  • Inc.
  • Investor’s Business Daily
  • The Washington Times
Cover of Speaker magazine, October 2014, the Media issue, with Jess Todtfeld on one of three television screens
On the coverSpeaker magazineOctober 2014, the Media issue. The magazine of the National Speakers Association.

Work with Jess

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 executives will actually face.

  1. Diagnose first

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

  2. Build the message architecture

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

  3. Practice under pressure

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

  4. Walk away ready

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

Government media training: what do agency leaders ask most?

What does media training for government leaders cover?

Media training for government leaders prepares elected officials, agency heads, and public information officers to communicate during press conferences, legislative hearings, constituent meetings, and crises. It emphasizes plain language, the 2 part answer, and on-camera composure. Crisis communication for government agencies is built into the program, and Jess has trained teams through storms, public-safety events, and budget crises.

Can you prepare officials for Congressional or oversight hearings?

Yes. Hearing preparation is one of the most requested services for government clients. Officials face recorded practice exercises that simulate hostile committee questioning, interruptions, and five-minute rounds, so they learn to stay on message, protect agency positions, and avoid the sound bite that becomes the headline.

Do you train career staff as well as agency leadership?

Yes. Engagements regularly combine executive sessions for agency leaders with group workshops for press officers, regional directors, and public affairs staff. Everyone leaves with the same message framework, so the agency speaks with one voice during crises, policy rollouts, and routine media inquiries.

Can training be held on-site at an agency?

Yes. On-site delivery is common, including realistic press-conference mock setups and committee-hearing simulations. Public information officer training is a regular engagement and is often combined with executive training so the agency speaks with a consistent voice. Most public-sector leaders reach strong on-camera performance after a one-day intensive.

Who leads the training?

Every session is led by Jess Todtfeld, founder of Success in Media. Jess spent 13 years as a television producer at NBC, ABC, and Fox, and holds the Guinness World Record for the most media interviews given in 24 hours: 112 completed, 96 officially certified. He has prepared officials and agency communicators at every level of government.

How much does government media training cost?

Media training typically ranges from $1,000 to $15,000 per engagement depending on group size and scope. A focused session for one spokesperson sits at the lower end, while multi-day team workshops with recorded practice sit higher. See our media training questions page for a full breakdown of what drives pricing.

Find out how this training could help you

Set up a quick call with Jess. Tell him what is coming up, and he will show you how he would get you ready for it.

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