Media training in Dubai for leaders who cannot afford to get it wrong
Mayfair Media delivers executive media training in Dubai and across the GCC for CEOs, government officials and senior spokespeople. We are former Bloomberg, BBC, Sky News and ITV News journalists - with more than 40 years of combined broadcast experience - and we prepare your people for exactly the kind of interviews we used to conduct.
Our sessions are built around real newsroom practice, not communications theory. We put you in front of a camera under conditions that reflect what you will actually face - live television, financial media, crisis scenarios, analyst calls and high-stakes press conferences - and coach you through every detail of how you perform under pressure.
Founded by Greg Tanner (former Bloomberg Executive Producer, 25+ years in broadcast journalism) and Sarah Forster (former BBC and Sky News senior journalist), Mayfair Media brings the journalism credential that matters most: we know what journalists are looking for, what traps they set, and what makes a spokesperson memorable for the right - and the wrong - reasons. Having lived and worked in the UAE for a combined 18 years, we understand the regional media landscape, cultural context and audience expectations that shape every public appearance here.
Meet the Team
"A very insightful session. Great prep and great tips."
Amira Nabil Kamel General Manager GCC · Henkel Adhesive Technologies
"One thing that I picked up on is how important it is to prepare. It was great that they walked us through the whole experience. I totally enjoyed it."
Sartaj Singh CTO · Equiti GroupThree ways we help you communicate
Our programmes are led by former senior broadcast journalists and built entirely around real-world newsroom practice.
What happens in a Mayfair Media media training session
Every programme is tailored to the individual and the environment they will actually face. Here is how a typical session unfolds.
Message Development
Before any camera is switched on, we work with you to identify your key messages, anticipate difficult questions and develop clear, concise answers that hold up under scrutiny. We think like journalists — because we are journalists.
Realistic Interview Simulation
We put you in front of a camera and conduct a genuine simulated interview — calibrated to match the tone and pressure of the environment you will face, whether that is Bloomberg, CNBC, a government press conference or an internal town hall.
Playback and Detailed Coaching
We review the footage together — examining body language, composure, message clarity and delivery. This is often where the biggest shifts happen, because clients see exactly how they come across on camera for the first time.
Practical Techniques That Stay With You
We give you specific, repeatable methods for handling difficult questions, bridging to your key messages and recovering when an interview takes an unexpected direction — techniques you can use instinctively, under pressure, without thinking.
The credential that matters most
There are trainers who have worked in communications. Then there are trainers who sat on the other side of the camera and decided what went to air. Mayfair Media is the latter.
Greg Tanner
Co-founder · Former Bloomberg Executive Producer25+ years in international broadcast journalism. As Bloomberg Executive Producer, Greg led major editorial coverage across EMEA and interviewed Prime Ministers, CEOs and global figures. He has lived and worked in the UAE for over a decade — bringing deep GCC market understanding to every session.
Sarah Forster
Co-founder · Former BBC, Sky News, BloombergSenior journalist across BBC, Sky News and Bloomberg. Sarah briefed presenters before high-profile interviews — and was the person deciding which clips made it to air. She specialises in high-pressure live interview environments and has extensive experience coaching C-suite executives across the region.
Mayfair Media at work
In training rooms, on location and on air — across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the wider GCC.
Respected by journalists at the highest level
"Greg is one of the most professional, intelligent and inspiring figures in the news industry. His exceptional skills in production, news judgment and storytelling set him apart as a true leader and innovator in the field."
Emma Graham
Middle East Bureau Chief · CNBC
"Greg's editorial knowledge is extensive and his news judgment excellent. Whether as reporter, producer or editor, Greg gets to the guts of a story. I am always grateful to have him on my team."
Hadley Gamble
Chief International Anchor · IMIFormer CNBC Anchor
"The news judgement and editorial contribution to interview-crafting that Greg brings is unrivalled. And his understanding of social media is invaluable to engaging the audience."
Manus Cranny
Geo-Economics Editor · The NationalFormer Bloomberg Anchor
"Sarah is an exemplary media operative. She understands how news travels and is a digital native — there's no doubt she's a person who can make your message land in the right places at the right time."
Nick Stylianou
Senior Producer · Sky News
"Sarah is a true powerhouse — expert command over every facet of the production process. She delivers expert insight and fosters unshakable confidence."
Sami Qasem
Senior Producer · BBC News
"Sarah delivered an outstanding media-training program, guiding us through preparation, audience interaction, and effective engagement with clear, well-structured methods. From the very first session, the training proved highly beneficial and immediately impactful."
Rabih Saab
Head of Media · PUBLSH
Ready to prepare your people
for the moment that matters?
We work with organisations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and the wider GCC — in person and virtually. Every programme is bespoke.