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Transform media coverage with Jon Sopel, speaker, political journalism expert. Jon works with audiences to deliver incisive global affairs analysis and political insights, bringing four decades of experience from BBC, presidential coverage, and his chart-topping News Agents podcast.
Jon Sopel is a journalism icon with a career spanning four decades. During this time, he has reported on significant global events and interviewed influential figures. He has been a familiar face on BBC news programmes and has contributed to BBC Radio from various locations, including Paris, Kuwait City, and Washington, D.C.
In February 2022, Jon left the BBC to co-launch the News Agents Podcast with Lewis Goodall and Emily Maitlis. It was an instant success, with over 30M downloads in its first nine months. In July 2023, he and Emily launched News Agents USA. Each week, the team unpicks everything you need to know about headline-making news in the UK, US and worldwide.
Previously, as the BBC’s North America Editor, Jon covered the Trump presidency and reported from Paris during the Concorde crash. He was also in Kuwait City during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. His skills have been showcased across numerous BBC platforms, including the BBC News Channel and Newsnight. He has provided live coverage for major events, such as Nelson Mandela’s funeral and various elections and conflicts.
Jon has authored a trilogy on the Trump presidency, starting with the best-seller If Only They Didn't Speak English, followed by A Year at the Circus and UnPresidented, chronicling the 2020 election. He also wrote a biography of Tony Blair, published in 1995.
Jon has received several accolades throughout his career, including Political Journalist of the Year in 2007 and a National Presenter of the Year nomination in 2011/12. The University of Southampton awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in 2011. Jon is also an ambassador for The Prince's Trust and enjoys golf, travel, and football.
Book Jon Sopel to gain unparalleled insights from an expert journalist who has covered pivotal global events. His engaging storytelling and firsthand experiences with world leaders will inspire your team, spark meaningful discussions, and provide a unique perspective on today's political landscape. Don’t miss the chance to learn from a master.
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frequently asked questions
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Jon Sopel draws on four decades of frontline journalism — including coverage of the Trump presidency as BBC North America Editor — to structure talks around first-hand reporting from major global events. He also brings the conversational, news-analysis format developed through the News Agents Podcast, unpacking complex political stories through direct experience and interview access.
Jon Sopel specialises in US politics, UK-US relations, and global geopolitical affairs, drawing on four decades of frontline journalism across Washington, Paris, and the Middle East. He served as the BBC's North America Editor throughout the Trump presidency and co-founded The News Agents podcast, which surpassed 30 million downloads in its first nine months.
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Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
