The Secretary of State for the City, Sabrina Agresti-Roubache, was trained in media communications as part of a public contract. Olivier Becht, who was formerly a minister but was later removed from the government, had also undergone training to improve his public speaking skills. The company responsible for providing this training, Expression Conseil, was founded by a former TF1 journalist and secured a contract with the government in October 2022. The goal of the training is to help government officials simplify their message, find key points, and structure their thoughts effectively for public speaking engagements.
In addition to Olivier Becht, other government officials such as Dominique Faure, Sabrina Agresti-Roubache, and Sarah Lacoche have also benefited from the services provided by Expression Conseil. The training sessions cost around 2,400 euros for two hours, with the company generating a significant portion of its revenue from public sector clients. Journalists from various media outlets such as TF1, CNews, Europe 1, and BFM-TV collaborate with Jean-Pierre Verret, the founder of Expression Conseil, to provide coaching sessions. These journalists bring their professional expertise to help government officials improve their communication skills.
The aim of the media training is to assist ministers in delivering impactful speeches that align with the government’s overall agenda. By focusing on both the form and content of their speeches, the training helps officials convey their message effectively to the public. The government’s information service allocated approximately 20,000 euros for media training in 2023. Expression Conseil’s approach is not only to help government officials improve their communication skills but also to ensure that their speeches are coherent with the government’s policies and objectives.
Expression Conseil’s contract with the government is set to run until 2026, allowing the service to provide up to 1.6 million euros of media training services. The company’s expertise in communication training has been utilized by various ministries, including those focused on ecological transition, interior affairs, and foreign affairs. Government officials who have received training from Expression Conseil have reported improvements in their public speaking skills, allowing them to communicate more effectively with the public and the media.
The involvement of journalists in the coaching sessions provided by Expression Conseil adds a unique dimension to the training. These journalists bring a wealth of experience in conducting interviews and communicating effectively, helping government officials refine their message and delivery. By offering a comprehensive approach to media training, including the insights of seasoned journalists, Expression Conseil has positioned itself as a valuable resource for government officials seeking to enhance their communication skills. Through this collaboration, government officials can improve their public speaking abilities and effectively convey key messages to the public and the media.
