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 programs, notably BBC Newsnight, she is accustomed to persuading reluctant individuals to participate in a news program 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.
Personal Brand Workshop For Leaders
Book Sam's exclusive PepTalk workshop, Personal Branding: Mastering Your Leadership Brand. In this 90-minute workshop led by Sam McAlister with support from an experienced facilitator, you’ll gain insights on balancing authenticity with strategic positioning, ensuring your leadership is influential both within and outside your organisation.
How can I book Sam McAlister for my next event?
Email sam.mcalister@getapeptalk.com, or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
PepTalk are the official speaking agents for Sam McAlister available to book for corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Sam McAlister's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. For media interviews, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Sam directly.
What topics does Sam McAlister specialise in?
Sam McAlister specialises in discussing negotiation, media management, personal branding and more.
What is Sam McAlister's speaking style like?
Sam delivers witty, engaging talks with authenticity and professionalism. Her storytelling and sharp insights inspire audiences, challenge thinking, and energise rooms, making her one of the UK’s most captivating speakers.
Does Sam McAlister offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Sam McAlister offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.