Media Matters: Adam McIlrick, SBS World News
Adam McIlrick started his journalism career in regional NSW and is now managing editor at SBS World News.
He knows how to tell a good story but also shared some great presentation skills tips when Peak Presenting director Craig Eardley caught up with him.
Your journalism career to date?
My career has taken me to places like Miami, Muswellbrook and Minsk – but my journalism journey started in Tamworth, NSW where my first report was broadcast on Prime TV, during a work experience stint in my final year of uni at Newcastle.
In literally one minute, 15 seconds, I went from being ‘student’ to ‘journalist’.
And while I wasn’t paid, that week at Prime allowed me to put together a showreel which I sent to every TV newsroom along the Australian eastern seaboard.
Within a week, I received a call from NBN in Newcastle about a job for a grade one reporter on the Central Coast.
On my first day, I interviewed cricketing legend Mark ‘Tubby’ Taylor – I thought ‘how good is this?!’.
And I’d go on to say it many times over, in the more than two decades of journalism that saw me move from regional reporter and presenter to freelance foreign correspondent, senior producer and program editor at the BBC, and now, managing editor at SBS World News.
I went from Newcastle to Sydney, via London, Washington DC and Singapore.
Storytelling, much like travel, is all about ‘how you get there’.
Favourite or most memorable story?
There’ve been plenty!
But one story that sticks out in my mind, is, well actually all about the mind.
The story, fundamentally, was about dementia care for elderly couples who choose to live at home.
The report was going to focus on the husband, caring for his wife, and the needs of the many thousands like them around the country, preferring to receive in-home care, rather than being separated in nursing homes.
The story changed the moment my camera operator and I walked in the door.
The walls were full of art.
Intricate paintings of places and fantasies that were brought to life on canvas by Phyllis, the woman with dementia being cared for by her husband.
I just had to know more about this art!
Phyllis’s paintings were portraits of her mind – a visual insight into dementia that many of us experience in our families, yet few of us understand.
One the paintings had even been auctioned at Christie’s in London.
This story is both memorable and a favourite, because it was about a ‘real person’ with real concerns about issues relevant for the community.
And all told through the eyes of someone who knows dementia more than most.
The story also serves as a reminder to me to keep an open mind when plotting a report.
The best elements are usually the ones that aren’t planned.
What makes a good news story?
Depends on the medium.
But one theme that’s constant is the idea of a ‘real voice' – the people living and breathing the issue.
For example, the above story with Phyllis could have simply included the government spokesperson and the Meals on Wheels representative.
Every story though, must have a ‘voice’ – and I’m not talking about the journalist’s voice.
It must be relevant so that the person watching, reading or listening to that report can identify with the issue.
And how best to do this is to include a case study – someone who can bring the story to life.
Your pet hate/thing people should avoid doing when working with media?
Not understanding a deadline.
Journalists live by daily, sometimes hourly, deadlines.
If you can’t get the information to the journalist by the time their deadline passes, be honest about it from the beginning.
Don’t leave a journalist hanging because that could, potentially, mean the story isn’t as good as it could – or should – be.
And never interrupt an interview regardless of the questions – let the interview finish and then raise your concerns.
Many years ago, I was interviewing a senior member of the state government about a new aged-care facility in the Hunter.
I wanted to press him on bigger issues surrounding rural health, but his press secretary waved his hand in front of the camera and ‘stopped’ the interview.
So, I ran the whole exchange and it was embarrassing for them – it didn’t have to be though.
Had the minister been honest saying ‘I don’t know the answer to that particular question, but what’s your deadline and I’ll get it to you?’ – I wouldn’t even be mentioning this now.
Your top tip for people to gain media coverage?
Again, it depends on the medium but in short – people and pictures.
Always think ‘how is this relevant for the reader/viewer/listener?’.
Also consider the visual aspect of the pitch – how best to illustrate the subject.
Solid suggestions certainly help.
Your top tip to presenting well.
I have a few.
Read a room and keep it relevant – if you’re making a speech be prepared to throw in some late (respectful) observations about the people you’re presenting to… much like going on a story, keep an open mind.
Practice reading out loud – if you’re not comfortable with the sound of your own voice, the people you’re presenting to won’t be either – children’s books are a great way to develop as it forces you to find pitch and confidence in your voice. Plus, children are often the toughest audiences so if you can keep them interested, you’ll have a chance of doing the same for the adults in the room.
Keep sentences short – this allows you to focus on your breathing and prevents you from sounding puffed out and/or losing your place.
Look people in the eye when you’re speaking to them – by doing this, it establishes trust and interest.
And…always carry breath freshener and deodorant – presenting (and journalism) is all about talking to other people and if you’re smelling or sweating, the person you’re talking to will probably be wanting to get away from you as fast as possible!
How do you relax outside of work?
I love the water.
Whether it’s the beach or the pool or the river, I find swimming really helps to keep me balanced.
It literally washes away the worries of the day and I find myself in perfect solitude as I hear only the splashing of the water as I do my laps.
I enjoy tennis although I’m terrible at it, even after all the learning/training/competing I did as a kid.
Travel is another love and it’s probably why I spent so much time in the UK – it was a fantastic launching pad for places in Europe and North America.
I’m more of a ‘live events’ person as opposed to ‘Netflix and chill’, and love open-air sport, concerts and theatre.
I enjoy a coffee (only one per day) and a beer (sometimes more than one per day), and most of the time, with mates.
Family, of course, feature heavily in my life – that’s a big part of the reason I decided to come back to Australia after 11 years abroad.