What clients say after working with Jess
The public record of what executives, spokespeople and organizations say after media training and presentation coaching with Jess Todtfeld, sorted by the moment they were preparing for.
These results are public and verifiable. See them where clients left them:
“I closed a million-dollar deal after hearing Jess’ strategies. I can’t begin to thank you.”
Read the case study: Hay Group’s million dollar presentation win
Clients of Success in Media report more confidence in interviews, clearer and more quotable messages, stronger on-camera presence and the ability to handle a hard question calmly. The results are public where clients left them: a 5.0 rating on Google, LinkedIn recommendations on Jess Todtfeld’s profile, and 24 on-camera video reviews. Individual results vary.
Updated
Featured video testimonials
Clients on camera, in their own words. Each video loads only when you press play.
About our testimonials
A quick message from our founder, Jess Todtfeld, before you dive into what clients have said about working with Success in Media.
Les Richmond
Hay Group / Build America Mutual
Larry Crisp
Business Consultant
Jane Cranston
Executive Career Coach
Candice
Media training client
Chief executive
Executive media training
Workshop participant
On-camera training
Steve S. Lin, M.D.
Cardiologist, pharma presentation
Warren
Attorney, Overland Park, KS
Paula Klee
Organizer, Women on the Move
Kathy Gruhn
Spokesperson
Tourism leader
Crisis communication training
Client results montage
Media and presentation training
What happened next
Some clients wrote back with what the training led to. Each headline is ours; every word under it is theirs.
An agent and a book deal
“I ended up getting an agent and landing a book deal because of that summit, and I have Jess to thank for his caring and helpful coaching.”
Read the full review
“I first worked with Jess over the phone as he prepped attendees of the 2010 National Publicity Summit. Above all the other consultants he zeroed in on what was special and exciting about my business and told me exactly what I had to write on my pitch sheet. When I got to New York for the summit he remembered me and he briefly worked with me on my pitch. Because of the coaching he had given me, I was confident and ready for the media session the following day. Instead of encouraging me to continue preparing, he told me I was ready and ‘gave’ me the day off to relax and take in New York before the big day. I remember that I felt he really cared about me and used his discernment to help me focus on just the steps I needed to take. I ended up getting an agent and landing a book deal because of that summit, and I have Jess to thank for his caring and helpful coaching.”
Interviewed on every major network
“Since then I’ve been interviewed on every major television network across the US and the skills Jess taught me to speak in small sound bytes was incredibly valuable.”
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“I originally attended a Media Training Workshop with Jess several years ago where he prepared me brilliantly for pitching to the media as well as media interviews. Since then I’ve been interviewed on every major television network across the US and the skills Jess taught me to speak in small sound bytes was incredibly valuable. Recently Jess spoke at our NSA GLAC Chapter Meeting where he delivered super rich content in an incredibly engaging and entertaining way. He’s a seasoned professional when it comes to speaking and running media training. If you’re looking for an awesome speaker for your next conference, a media consultant or media trainer... Look no further Jess is your man. He’s the consummate professional!”
Booked on The 700 Club
“Because of the training and attention to details Jess stressed during training I have even landed an interview on one of the largest national/international Christian TV programs this summer, the 700 Club.”
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“I went through the Media Training my publisher wanted me to go through upon the release of my book. Jess was my instructor and it was an awesome training course. It was a challenge to both Jess and myself because we crammed two weeks worth of training into a two day course of instruction. Jess really helped me refine my on camera appearance and presentation of facts so that the audience saw me as credible, knowledgeable, and personable. I have appeared on numerous TV & radio programs some local, some national, and some international. Because of the training and attention to details Jess stressed during training I have even landed an interview on one of the largest national/international Christian TV programs this summer, the 700 Club. The results I’ve gotten from that two day training session have been absolutely amazing!”
A pitch that landed interviews
“Jess has proven to me more than once that he can synthesize your thoughts and ideas into meaningful actions. He took a book pitch I was preparing and transformed it into a winning introduction that landed me many interviews. You will get excellent results and value from Jess.”
Ready for the TV world
“In 2015 my career took off. I began to get booked for more television appearances and I needed direction on how to bring my personality to life. Jess is a seasoned expert in media training. After a few classes and calls with Jess, I felt confident enough to tackle the TV World!”
Doors opened
“Jess’ training strategies helped me open doors to companies that I would have never been able to get in front of, if not for his wisdom, genius, common sense and assistance. His strategies simply work! Jess continues to inspire me to present better and better!”
Individual results vary. Long reviews are cut to their sound bite; the full review is one click away.
In the interview
Building the message, writing the sound bite, and staying in control of the answer.
“It’s hard to walk away from Jess Todtfeld’s training without ‘aha’ moments and a list of valuable pointers for dramatically improving communication skills.”
“Thanks to Jess, I have developed a confidence in my ability to stay on point, to deliver 3 critical message points, and to create sound bites that enhance my ‘newsability.’ I now see new possibilities for how to best communicate the essence of what I have to say.”
“Jess provided hands-on, concrete strategies to improve my comfort and skill working with media. I learned tips (e.g., posture, dress, talking points, language, and voice inflection) that I put into practice right away. As part of Jess’ training, I had a chance to practice, receive feedback, and improve. I would definitely recommend Jess as a trainer on how to effectively work with the media.”
“The most helpful part was the breakdown of system and being able to write out our messages so we have them before interviews. The sound bite strategies were a definite aha moment.”
“My aha moment was your system on sound bites. It just makes the interview/PR process simple.”
“Jess is a true media pro, having ‘been there and done that’ as a producer, a trainer, and a speaker himself. The most amazing part of seeing him in action was his ability to customize his program to exactly fit the unique needs of our company and the executives he was training. Bravo, Jess.”
“Jess helped me make my messages clear, concise, and helped ensure they reach my audience.”
“Jess’ Media Training workshop helped me reduce nervousness and deliver messages that people can remember.”
“The techniques Jess gave me are invaluable for effective messaging.”
When the questions turn hard
Negative questions, heavy questioning and the toughest interview, rehearsed on camera before they happen for real.
“After a robust, one-day training I went from being a disorganized and hard-to-watch talking head to an authoritative brand steward ready for the toughest interview.”
Read the full review
“Jess helped me immensely with one of the most seldom used, but most difficult skills of being a non-PR business person: dealing with the media. After a robust, one-day training I went from being a disorganized and hard-to-watch talking head to an authoritative brand steward ready for the toughest interview. The value in Jess’ approach was in his tough, real-time coaching and practical suggestions to manage the interview to ensure my message prevailed. I would certainly hire Jess again.”
“Being in front of the camera and watching the evolution from the initial take to the last take, especially under heavy questioning, was very helpful to me.”
“The on-camera work gave me validation that I can do this. Strategies for preparing better to be more effective with the media were important. I like the concept of ‘controlling’ the reporter, not worrying about the questions but using your answer system to get my messages across.”
“Your talk helped me feel more in control when responding to media. This will give me more confidence.”
At the front of the room
Presentations, speeches and whole-team sessions, for audiences in the room and over web streaming.
“I now feel like I have the tools to be able to create more action from the people I speak to. I am grateful for the on-camera practice. I was immediately able to make changes to my presentations and improve them on the spot.”
“Thank you so much for your work with our entire team. We saw noticeable results and were able to make on-the-spot adjustments.”
“Not only was Jess very knowledgeable on his topic, but the staff uniformly said that the courses were interesting, extremely helpful, and enjoyable.”
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“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. These were sessions for high level employees and they could be a tough audience if they felt their time was not being well spent. 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. I have sought his input since this time on additional presentations and have always found his input to be both insightful and very helpful. Jess not only trains but also becomes a valuable resource for the staff. I plan on hiring Jess for future staff training sessions when needed and I recommend him unreservedly.”
“I just gave a speech, and for the first time I didn’t have butterflies in my stomach. Thank you so much!”
“I learned that stories are much more memorable and create anticipation with pauses. I will now tell more stories.”
“Jess’ style of presentation was very engaging. I plan to use more engaging visuals in the future and less data dumping.”
“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.”
“Jess has a wealth of knowledge and tons of talent. His expertise in presentation training skills is amazing. I learned valuable lessons from his training that I apply continually. I highly recommend his trainings and his expertise of the industry, plus he’s a dynamic speaker for any conference!”
“Jess is AMAZING! In his good natured manner he helped me and other of my staff really polish our presentation skills. We use our voices and hands more effectively, even better we are more skilled at picking out the best phrases and words to get the attention of an audience. I highly recommend. Jess is now working more closely with us as a partner to help those who go through our Total Leadership Connections program also hone their speaking skills.”
On camera
Presence, body language and the moment you first watch yourself back.
“Jess gave me easy to use strategies to change my appearance. I realized how body language was influencing my message.”
“This training with Jess certainly improved my confidence and my presence on TV.”
“Probably the most helpful part was seeing myself on TV, getting feedback and constructive criticism. It was enlightening to get out of my comfort zone. This made me actually want to do more public speaking. Thanks!”
“I am now ok with watching myself on camera. I love the hands-on practice practice practice!”
“The drills and the instant replay were very helpful. The way that Jess broke everything down into pieces and focused on them one at a time made me feel more comfortable.”
“This training really helped my confidence level.”
“Jess did an excellent job! It was a well-paced presentation. The on-camera experience was the most helpful part of the session, and non-threatening!”
After the session
Every engagement also includes a 365-day support program so the skills stick after the session.
“One thing that was different from most courses was the ongoing, post-training elements. I receive weekly videos, have access to a multi-media database, and can reach out to Jess directly if I have an issue or would like a critique.”
Read the full review
“Jess’ program was fast paced and interactive. It was a combination of interactive exercises and new systems for specific situations. I found the program to be enjoyable and will continue to practice what I learned. One thing that was different from most courses was the ongoing, post-training elements. I receive weekly videos, have access to a multi-media database, and can reach out to Jess directly if I have an issue or would like a critique. That is a huge bonus as I could encounter some challenging situations in the year ahead. I recommend Jess Todtfeld and his training program very highly.”
“We enjoyed being able to have hands-on practice which made the material come alive. I have also found his post-training video resources to be important and has helped us remember what was learned.”
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“Jess Todtfeld and his company, Success In Media provided training for our senior managers at the Social Security Administration. I was one of the managers in attendance. While I was expecting a lecture, I was happy to see that his program was interactive. We enjoyed being able to have hands-on practice which made the material come alive. I have also found his post-training video resources to be important and has helped us remember what was learned. I appreciate Jess Todtfeld’s work with the team and recommend him to others.”
Publicists trust Jess with their own clients
The people whose job is to get clients on air, on what happens when they send them to Jess first.
“I have hired Jess several times to work with my clients. He is the best media trainer in America. Period.”
“Jess is arguably the best media trainer in the country. He’s intelligent, creative, engaging, thorough, all my clients that have worked with him love him!”
“Jess is a media pro and his experience actually producing television makes him an excellent addition to a PR team! He’s the only practitioner I would ever trust to provide media training for my clients!”
“Jess has helped us train more than 500 of our clients on how to be on TV and how to speak. Jess is absolutely, without a doubt, the best. If I needed to show someone how it’s done I would go nowhere else. Look no further than Jess.”
“He’s especially effective if you are worried about how to powerfully answer certain questions the media may ask you on camera during an interview.”
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“My firm Wasabi Publicity hired Jess as a media trainer for high level corporate clients needing on camera work prior to national TV spots I’ve booked. I’ve been a top publicist for 20 years and I was delighted to learn from Jess ‘the other side of PR’ since he builds into his training his many years as a high level national TV producer. Jess is one of those people you can ask a question and get a straight answer. He’s especially effective if you are worried about how to powerfully answer certain questions the media may ask you on camera during an interview. I love his expertise and professionalism. I highly, highly recommend Jess.”
“For the past 7 years we have used Jess for all of our media training for our clients. He is great at what he does and they all love him.”
13 years as a television producer at ABC, NBC and FOX. He trains clients from the producer’s side of the desk.
Guinness World Record holder
Most media interviews in 24 hours: 112 interviews completed, 96 officially certified.
June 2009
Trusted by leaders at these organizations
More client results by industry
Named executives, spokespeople and leaders on what changed after working with Jess. Many of these are public LinkedIn recommendations and Google reviews. Individual results vary.
Corporate and Enterprise13 more
“Jess is one of the best media trainers out there. He understands the 'art of the interview' and how to bring out the authenticity of any message making you and your business shine. His insightful knowledge of how the media works, from his past experience working in the fast paced world of news makes him uniquely suited to create world class thought leaders as he does every day! He is a C-Suite executive's best friend.”
“Jess is a master at humanizing the media training process to help you shine instead of being another talking head. He's also a blast to work with. Use his tools and techniques to crystalize your message and sparkle. You'll be glad you did!”
“I've had the distinct pleasure of working with Jess over the years. He is a consummate professional, talented and introspective, in his training and advice. I consider him a true professional in his field, and would highly recommend him to any individual or organization that would require his services. He's a diamond.”
“Jess is a total pro. First as a producer, and now as a media trainer, Jess has decades of knowledge, experience, and advice that serves his clients well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him, he is the best.”
“Jess is one of the hardest workers I know. He is a results oriented professional with endless enthusiasm and dedication to his clients and colleagues.”
“I sat in on a presentation today by Jess Todtfeld, as part of a webinar series Randstad offers their clients...”
“This training has given me incredible confidence in front of a group of strangers, and this will help improve my business and my career.”
“Jess Todtfeld is an inspiring business leader and supervisor. His entrepreneurial 'go-getter' attitude allowed the company to accomplish with a small team of people the same as a company twice its size. It was a privilege developing corporate marketing campaigns and online videos under his guidance.”
“Jess knows his stuff and as a result of the information I have gathered from him regarding PR and Publicity, I am now working on a PR program specifically for my Virtual Assistants to implement.”
“Jess is top-flight expert in that rarified air where so many lose their attachments to what got them there. Jess is the rare individual who is both brilliant and cares. He is patient, brilliant in his techniques and cares both about the individual and the individual's growth.”
“Jess is terrific at what he does: helping them become better communicators and presenters, especially for when they appear before the news media. He has a great way about him, he talks to you like a friend but always has his eye on the big prize.”
“When it comes to media training I highly recommend Jess. His years of experience at FOX News has given him insight into not only what makes a good TV segment but what makes a good guest GREAT. I've seen Jess take an ordinary individual and turn them into a TV star by developing sound bites, introducing the use of props to make a point and helping a client frame their message so that the viewers comprehend what it is they are trying to say. When the media wants an expert to comment about 'The Media' they often turn to Jess Todtfeld. If you want to be taken seriously by the media then spend the time and money to get proper media training.”
“From the moment I met Jess I liked him. Setting his magnetic personality aside, his knowledge of speaking and presenting is truly engaging. I found it fun to learn how to be a better presenter. I asked Jess what I thought were hard questions, but which he answered easily and confidently. I can't make a higher recommendation than to work with Jess!”
Financial Services5 more
“Working with the media doesn't have to be difficult. I found the sound bite creating system very helpful and can use these techniques to improve the way I speak to clients.”
“While your workshop was about Media & PR Secret Weapons, the email marketing strategies are ones I want to implement right away.”
“The most helpful part... stories sell!”
“My aha moment? Tell more stories. What stories can I tell?”
“Jess knows how to make CEOs look great. I received coaching from him and was also interviewed by Jess on a national business TV show. He is a professional who understands that the goal of interviews is to drive more business.”
Healthcare3 more
“Jess is a terrific trainer who works hard to create a positive learning experience that is both challenging and safe at the same time. He's a fast thinker who presents challenges tailored to the client. He's genuine, caring and professional in his approach to work. If I could check all seven boxes to describe his attributes and my experience of working with him, I would.”
“The entire session was very helpful, I will definitely stay in touch. You all did a great job!”
“I was able to learn how to focus my message and add sound bites. Everything was helpful. I was very pleased with the session.”
Government and Public Sector1 more
“The most helpful part of Jess' talk was learning how to have control over my answers during interviews.”
Insurance2 more
“This has helped us greatly in improving our speaking skills. In this business, improving these type of skills really matters for your career.”
“I think Jess' training will improve my speaking, presentation, and media skills. These skills will improve my business.”
Nonprofit and NGO4 more
“Jess' training definitely helped me feel more self-assured in the content and presentation of my messages.”
“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.”
“Jess' stories relating his professional experience was most helpful during my media training session.”
“This training with Jess has boosted my confidence in my media skills to a new level. Thank you!”
Media and PR3 more
“Jess, Great presentation, today! I left feeling excited! I was the one who wants 'To Inspire People Through Storytelling.' THANK YOU for the encouragement!”
“Awesome producer and media coach. You will learn a lot and reduce or eliminate your stage fright and he will inspire you. Also a very nice person!”
“Jess, a media expert of experts who freely shares his media secrets of success in this book. He not only helps you START to get covered in the media, but also helps you understand the importance of video to promote your business and build your brand.”
Tourism and Hospitality3 more
“The most helpful part was writing out answers we could use in future interviews. I plan to implement this right away.”
“Jess gave me at least a dozen new ideas. His talk gave me confidence in my skills.”
“The Sound Bite system is something I can implement right away. Your messaging system was very helpful. I can also really benefit from your techniques on dealing with negative questions.”
Authors, Speakers and Coaches16 more
“I had the pleasure of having Jess speak for our association. He kept the attendees attention with valuable content. Great takeaways and actionable items that they are able to put into place immediately. I have had several of our members approach me afterwards to express how much they enjoyed Jess and the value that they have received by having him in. I will be bringing back Jess again!”
“Jess is outstanding not only in his knowledge of the industry but in breaking down the steps it takes to gain media exposure. His first-hand experience in the industry allows him to answer questions and help create success. I highly recommend Jess for anyone looking to generate high quality media exposure.”
“I give an A+ to 'Media Training A-Z.' It's a must read for anyone who wants to learn how to get their message across in a clear and concise way. Whether you're a novice or expert you'll come away from this book more prepared than ever for your next television appearance.”
“Jess is brilliant at what he does! He imparts his information readily and the take home value is extraordinary!”
“I attended a media training workshop that Jess taught a few years ago. What I appreciate about him is not only does he know his stuff, but he's a fun (and funny!) enthusiastic teacher. He taught/encouraged people to produce incredible results in their videos and interviews. I have worked with others in the media training industry, but would recommend Jess every time.”
“Jess, you enabled me to feel more comfortable on camera as someone who has to ask the questions effectively, not just answer them.”
“Just recently experienced Jess's presentation at a recent NSA event. I found him to be incredibly delightful, informative and a real inspiration. He hit all the right points in terms of providing solid information in a fun, entertaining manner and quick follow up for those of us who wanted takeaways from the event. Very Impressed!”
“I found the media training systems were useful and after the media training program we received from Jess, I have...”
“Jess was a fun presenter that touched upon important details to be aware of when interviewing on camera.”
“Great webinar, A lot of tips for interviews”
“I enjoyed the 'On-Camera Interviews that Work' presentation. It was very good and I learned a lot of strategies. Thank you.”
“Exactly what I needed at the exact right time, Preparing for an Interview was excellent! Thanks so much Jess for your candor and details.”
“Jess shared a lot of helpful and valuable info.”
“Jess is a gem-great teacher and group facilitator, manages to be entertaining and light hearted while imparting great...”
“Have attended 2 trainings facilitated by Jess. Best money I ever spent! There is not one thing that he taught that I'm not using. He knows what he is doing when it comes to media and speaker training. Not to mention, he is authentically a very nice guy with a great sense of humor. You'll enjoy Jess's workshops and it won't feel like work whilst you're learning! I can unreservedly recommend Jess.”
“I was so impressed with the three day Magnetic Speaker Event that Jess and his team put on. WOW!!! I learned a lot to help me take my international speaking career to the next level! Thanks to all of you for hosting such a world-class event with amazing speakers and topics!! Highly recommend it to anyone!”
Questions about these results
Are these testimonials verified?
They are public where the clients left them. Success in Media has a 5.0 rating on Google, LinkedIn recommendations on Jess Todtfeld’s profile, and 24 on-camera video reviews, all of which you can check yourself rather than taking a curated page at face value.
What results do clients usually report?
The pattern is consistent: more confidence in interviews, clearer and more quotable messaging, better on-camera presence, and the ability to handle a difficult question without losing composure. Every engagement also includes a 365-day support program so the skills stick after the session.
What kinds of organizations are represented here?
The written results on this page come from many sectors, sorted here by the moment each client was preparing for: corporate and enterprise, financial services, healthcare, government and public sector, insurance, nonprofit and NGO, media and PR, tourism and hospitality, and authors, speakers and coaches.
Can I get a reference from my own industry?
Yes. References from a specific industry or company size are available on request. Email Inquiry@SuccessInMedia.com and say what kind of organization you want to hear from.
Where can I watch the video testimonials?
All 24 on-camera client reviews live on the video reviews page, grouped by industry and role, by keynote, by media training, and by the National Publicity Summit.
Ready to get your own results?
Every person on this page prepared before the moment that mattered. Your team can too.
Personal reply from Jess’s team within one business day. Prefer the phone? Call (646) 233-1424.