Guinness World Record Holder  ·  Former NBC, ABC & FOX Producer  ·  20+ Years Training Executives Book a call →
About Jess Todtfeld

The media trainer nonprofits and foundations call when the mission is on the line.

Jess Todtfeld spent 13 years as a television producer at NBC, ABC, and FOX — booking guests, running segments, and watching which spokespeople earned public trust and which lost it. Since then he has trained hundreds of nonprofit leaders, executive directors, and communications teams to deliver their mission with confidence, clarity, and impact — whether facing a local reporter, a congressional hearing, or a room full of major donors.

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
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112
Guinness World Record
Most Media Interviews in 24 Hours
June 2009 · full story
20+
Years training senior executives
112
Guinness World Record story
13
Years producing NBC, ABC & FOX Television
500+
Customized programs for executives and teams
Client results

What Nonprofit and Foundation Leaders say about working with Jess

Thank you so much for your work with our entire team. We saw noticeable results and were able to make on-the-spot adjustments. I look forward to receiving your post-training materials and seeing what you have in store for us.
Tim WollermanVP, Outreach, AARP
I brought Jess in to AARP to do multiple staff training sessions on Presentation. The staff were all subject matter experts but needed to be taught how to present the material to large audiences, both live and over web streaming events. Not only was Jess very knowledgeable on his topic, but the staff uniformly said that the courses were interesting, extremely helpful, and enjoyable. They also said they would like additional training sessions with Jess.
Scott GouldSr. Agile Coach CSP, CSM, SAFE SPC 6, PMP, AARP
The way that Jess broke everything down into pieces and focused on them one at a time made me feel more comfortable. The drills and the instant replay were very helpful.
Jesse WintersCommunications Team, ASPCA
I will no longer just stand in one place and read a speech. I now know how to appear more comfortable to the audience — that will help me be more effective.
Pat O'NeillNational Representative, UFCW International Union
I gained a fresh perspective on image, content, speaking patterns and the impact of getting my message out. Seeing my presentation on videotape and getting critical feedback was most helpful.
Linwood J. OglesbyExecutive Director, Newark Arts Council
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 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
  • 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.

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