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Transform media engagement and leadership communication with Sam McAlister, speaker, BAFTA-nominated interview producer. Sam works with executives to master negotiation strategy and reputation management, delivering insider expertise from securing high-profile interviews including Prince Andrew, Elon Musk, and world leaders.
Sam McAlister is a BAFTA-nominated interview producer who has negotiated with everyone from Buckingham Palace to The White House, Tesla to Facebook. With skills honed over a decade in the BBC's elite news programmes, notably BBC Newsnight, she is accustomed to persuading reluctant individuals to participate in a news programme renowned for its rigour and incisiveness. Her exclusives include, most notably, an interview with HRH Prince Andrew, as well as interviews with Sheryl Sandberg, Prime Minister Trudeau, President Clinton, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Elon Musk, James Comey, Stormy Daniels, Julian Assange, Trevor Noah, Amy Schumer, and Eric Schmidt. She has an insider's perspective on what these interviews reveal about leadership, reputation, and communication in the modern age. She knows how to avoid making critical mistakes and handle the media and its most brutal interrogators.
She also delves into the art of negotiation, which she has honed over decades, and shares insights on "How to Convince a Prince" — the infamous interview with Emily Maitlis. Negotiation, media management, strategy, and public speaking have always been central to Sam's work, from her time as a criminal defence barrister to her numerous public speaking and debating accolades, as well as her interactions with celebrities and governments. Sam's book, Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC's Most Shocking Interviews, was published in 2022. The book offers an inside look at the secrets of a former BBC producer who made her way to Buckingham Palace, providing a behind-the-scenes pass to the most unforgettable journalism of our time. It became a bestseller on Amazon.
The book was adapted into a documentary for Channel 4, titled The Problem Prince, aired as part of the channel's Coronation coverage in May 2023. It was also broadcast on A&E in August 2023. Sam has extensive experience as a keynote speaker, addressing audiences ranging from banks to law firms, CEOs, and embassies. She has also chaired day-long events, participated in panel discussions, and hosted awards ceremonies. Recently, she was appointed a visiting senior fellow at the London School of Economics (LSE), where she teaches negotiation to the law faculty. In 2024, Netflix released Scoop, a film adapted from Sam's 2022 book.
Topics, sessions and talks
Sam McAlister's talk, "How To Convince A Prince," delves into the art of persuasion, sharing insights and strategies for influencing high-profile individuals in challenging negotiation scenarios.
Sam brings unparalleled insights from her experiences negotiating with global leaders and securing high-profile interviews, offering your team a masterclass in negotiation, media management, and strategic communication. Her firsthand accounts of navigating complex discussions and media landscapes will equip your business with the skills to handle public relations and leadership challenges effectively.
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frequently asked questions
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Sam McAlister draws on first-hand case studies from her career as a BBC Newsnight producer — most notably the negotiation that secured the Prince Andrew interview — to walk audiences through the practical mechanics of high-stakes persuasion.
Sam McAlister speaks on persuasion and negotiation, media management, and leadership and reputation in the modern age. She is a BAFTA-nominated BBC Newsnight producer whose securing of the Prince Andrew interview with Emily Maitlis led to her 2022 bestselling book Scoops, subsequently adapted into the 2024 Netflix film Scoop.
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