BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s longest-serving breakfast show presenter Rod Whiting is bringing his 35 years’ broadcasting experience to businesses across the UK as professional media trainer for Lincoln-based Carrington Communications.
Rod, who has worked for the BBC, ITN and commercial networks for over three decades, provides media training through his own brand, Ultravox Media Training.
Now, Carrington clients are also able to access Rod’s media training, adding to the agency’s existing digital marketing services for clients in manufacturing, professional services and tourism.
It also means Rod – now a presenter on commercial station Boom Radio – has been reunited with his former BBC colleague David Sykes, who worked alongside Rod at BBC Radio Lincolnshire before joining Carrington where he leads the agency’s PR team.
Mr Sykes said: “I used to be a reporter and producer for Rod’s programmes on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, and he is a truly formidable interviewer who knows exactly how to get the best from an interviewee or put them on the spot.
“As valuable as media coverage can be, there’s a good reason why people find the prospect of speaking to journalists or appearing on TV and radio daunting because the consequences could be either fantastic or disastrous. Fortunately, good media training and preparation can help ensure interviews go the right way, helping organisations and individuals get their message across to large audiences while proving themselves as experts that people can trust.
“We’ve arranged for Rod to train spokespeople from a few of the companies we work with already, and the feedback has been excellent so I’m really excited that we’re able to go this next step further and join forces properly.”
Rod said: “It’s been an aspiration to collaborate with a high quality PR organisation for a while and it’s good to be working with David again.
“Ultravox began trading as Rod Whiting Communications in January 2021, but, having now grown the business from a stand-still, the time is ripe for the next stage of development for the Ultravox Media Training brand. This, for me, is a natural and sensible progression in what is likely to be a challenging economic environment where media communications will be a critical business function.”