A Different Kind of Advisory
We’ve run newsrooms. We know what cuts through. And we put that experience to work for you.
On Brief is a monthly advisory subscription from Beech Hill Consultancy.
Strategic communications, media readiness, and editorial direction — delivered by someone who has spent three decades on both sides of the interview.
Three tiers. Transparent pricing. All senior-level delivery.
Why This Is Different
Most communications advisors have studied the media from the outside. They know how to pitch a story, write a release, and manage a press enquiry. Some of them are very good at it.
That is not what On Brief is.
Beech Hill Consultancy is run by Michael Wilson — former Director of Programmes at UTV, Head of Newsgathering at an international broadcaster, member of the ITV Network Council and a current Ofcom advisory committee member.
He has launched television channels, run newsrooms during major breaking stories, navigated regulatory frameworks in multiple jurisdictions, and advised governments on media infrastructure.
When you need to know how a journalist actually thinks, what makes them pursue a story, what makes them drop it, and what a badly-worded statement does to an editor’s instincts, that knowledge does not come from the client side of a PR relationship.
It comes from having sat in the editorial meeting, run the editorial agenda and decided what goes on the front of the news and what does not.
On Brief is that experience, available to you every month.
Who On Brief Is For
On Brief works for three distinct types of organisation, or individual aiming to break through the noise.
The first is a growing business that needs to define its approach to communications. Press releases that do not get picked up. A website that does not reflect what the company has become. A founder or CEO who is increasingly visible in public but has had no real preparation for what that means. Core tier.
The second is an organisation with an active communications challenge – regulatory scrutiny, a spokesperson who needs significant development, a reputation issue that is not yet a crisis, or a leadership transition that needs managing carefully. You are already in the media or about to be. Director tier.
The third is a board or leadership team that needs communications leadership rather than communications support. A PE-backed business navigating a period of significant growth or change. A regulated utility or public body with structural and ongoing communications complexity. Executive tier.
Core
For growing businesses that need to define their communications approach, sharpen messaging, improve visibility and prepare leaders for a greater public profile.
Director
For organisations facing active communications challenges — regulatory scrutiny, reputation issues, leadership transitions or spokesperson development.
Executive
For boards and leadership teams that need communications leadership, not simply communications support.
Monthly Advisory — Choose Your Tier
For businesses building communications capability with senior strategic guidance each month.
- 1 strategy session/month
- Quarterly messaging audit
- Email advisory throughout the month
- 48-hour response commitment
- Monthly media weather briefing
Rolling monthly
30 days’ notice to cancel
For organisations managing active communications challenges and needing senior judgement.
- 2 strategy sessions/month
- Spokesperson coaching for 2 people
- Crisis protocol development
- Editorial review of 2 pieces/month
- Rapid response within 3 hours
3-month minimum
Then monthly, 30 days’ notice
Fractional communications leadership for boards, CEOs and organisations managing complexity.
- 2 dedicated days/month
- Board-ready reporting
- Crisis on-call, Monday to Friday
- 1-hour response commitment
- Stakeholder communications support
6-month minimum
Then monthly, 60 days’ notice
Standalone Engagements — Pay-As-You-Go Services
Not every organisation is ready for a retainer, and not every problem needs one.
Media Training — Half Day
Four hours, up to four participants. Key message development, interview technique and written coaching summaries.
Media Training — Full Day
Six to seven hours, up to six participants. Includes on-camera practice, crisis simulation, hostile interview technique and individual coaching reports.
Crisis Communications Sprint
Two-day engagement including crisis audit, live scenario planning, a full communications playbook and spokesperson preparation.
Corporate Newsroom Design
Editorial strategy, channel architecture, team structure and a complete operating playbook for your content function.
Executive Communications Audit
A written audit of an individual leader’s public communications, including positioning, message effectiveness and a 90-day plan.
Podcast Development
Concept development, host coaching, production direction, series bible, pilot review and launch plan.
Start the Conversation — Find the Right Level of Support
Whether you need strategic counsel, media readiness, crisis preparation or fractional communications leadership, On Brief gives you senior-level advisory without the agency overhead.
Contact Beech Hill Consultancy