Gayl Murphy, Media Shape Shifter
Gayl Murphy is an award-winning Hollywood Correspondent. She is a journalist, much sought after Media, Presentational Trainer, and Coach. Speaker and Author of "Interview Tactics! How to Survive the Media without Getting Clobbered! The Insider's Guide to Giving a Killer Interview!" As a Media Expert, Gayl “celebrities” entrepreneurs: CEOs, showbiz pros, authors, experts, inventors, scientists, writers, engineers, creatives, lifestyle gurus, and celebrities in entertainment and business. Giving them the skills they need to work with the media, dodge media bullets, and celebritize themselves and their brands, so they can TELL IT TO SELL IT! As a Veteran Correspondent on TV, radio, print, and online, Gayl has reported on entertainment and show business for ABC News, SKY News, BBC News, E! Entertainment, APRadio, KLOS, KROQ, SIRIUS, and BigMediaUSA among others. She has personally interviewed over 15,000 of the biggest celebrities and newsmakers in the world. Visit www.InterviewTactics.com
What is your favourite social media platform?
I like them all the same.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
The tectonic shift in media. 243 ways to say, "Can you hear me, NOW?"
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I know all the answers.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
In my work life? Talking is good; listening is better!
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
Just getting up in the morning. Really!
What are you proud of in your life so far?
How much I've accomplished in my career. The people who have helped me along the way and those I've helped. The travel I've had, and the wonderful people I've met along the way. I was one of the very few and very first western entertainment reporters to broadcast live from China in the 1980s.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I'm skilled at both. As long as I can receive who they are, I'm good to go.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Everything interests me, as long the motivation is positive. No egos, no hate.
What do you wish you had known when you started?
I wish I had known that I would actually pull it off. That they would let me play in the sandbox.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles, and why?
Not sure I understand that.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Being in nature, travelling, learning about health are some of the best ways of getting and staying in touch with myself.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
I'm still processing the effects of the pandemic on me and my psyche. I'm managing one day at a time. I've learned to slow down and to pay more attention. And how important everything is.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I've had many, many mentors, and I hear from people all the time how I did something really good for them that I don't even recall.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Tell the truth. Be yourself. Keep getting educated about what it is your choice to do.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
They don't trust themselves, they have no Plan B, and they think it's all about them.
Is there a phrase, quote, or a saying that you really like?
"Gotta tell it, to sell it. If you can't tell it, you can't sell it!"
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or think are getting it right?
Disney and Netflix are getting it right.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is self-ownership. I've learned so many lessons as a girl, a woman, a lover, an American, an entrepreneur, a journalist, a friend, and a daughter.