Coconut Creatives has teamed together with the Fleet Street freelancer, Linda Whitney, to offer press and media training to its clients. Linda, whose franchise columns have appeared in the Daily Mail for over a decade is now offering this unique training opportunity in a response to help combat media nerves, commonly suffered by business owners and managers. Linda will be offering ‘one 2 one’ training to help individuals understand what journalists are looking for.

“We are really excited to be offering these services to our clients and we can not think of a better person to deliver them, other than Linda,” explains Sarah Cook, founder of Coconut Creatives.

Packaged in a compact one-hour telephone conference with Linda Whitney:
·    A ten minute briefing session explaining how to prepare, what journalists want to know and how to relax before starting.
·    Then after a break for preparation, Linda will call again and conduct a ten minute mock interview, focussing on the kind of information journalists want from you.
·    Ten minutes of feedback, highlighting what comes across well and explaining how you can improve any area that needs polishing up.
·    Another ten minute interview allowing you to put into practice what has been learnt, followed by a final ten minute feedback session.

All interviewees receive a summary of the points made in the session by email within an hour of the session ending, which provides useful notes to refer back to in the future. The system has been on trial for a while and the response has been fantastic. The insight it has provided business owners and franchisors into the mysterious world of journalism is valuable.

“Anyone who undertakes this training will gain media communication skills that they can use for the rest of their professional career,” adds Sarah. “For just an hour on invested time, it provides a great result!”

Linda explains further “All business owners, franchisors and key staff will deal with the press at sometime. Getting it right can boost your business. Getting it wrong can have incalculable consequences.”

To find out more about media training with Linda Whitney, visit http://www.coconutcreatives.co.uk/services/press__media_training/ for full details.

… as four new franchisees join the team in just one month!

Since Coconut Creatives assisted FitKid with the launch of its franchise package in 2007, this national child fitness brand has been establishing a number of key franchise zones around the UK with a great deal of success and gradual growth.

This month sees a further FOUR new franchisees undertaking training at FitKid’s HQ in Dorset. Training will be undertaken by Coconut Creatives founder, Sarah Cook (formally Sarah Dyer).

Nicky Kay, FitKid’s Franchise Director is delighted with the progress. “We welcome four new franchisees to the team which will cover North Sunderland and Tyne and Wear, Norwich, Islington and Stoke Newington and Wood Green. All are to launch in January 2009. Many individuals are realising that FitKid offers a superb franchise opportunity and suits those who may be returning to work after having children,” says Nicky.

Franchisees can earn £50K through this opportunity by purchasing a 5 year FitKid Franchise at a very low cost of £7.5k. The franchise provides a realistic solution for part time or full time work where franchisees effort equals their own reward, as well as helping to make fitness fun for so many children.

“I think the franchise is popular because it is really affordable. Franchisees also undergo specialist training and gain a nationally recognised child fitness qualification that equips them with the skills to run the business. This franchise is so important to us to help spread the word about childhood obesity and work with as many people as possible to give our children the best start,” adds Nicky.

The pilot franchise, in Poole and Bournemouth is doing really well with over 35 classes a week. New projects have also been secured with Bournemouth School Sports Partnership this academic year.

Sue Young is one of the new franchisees starting training next week and comments, “I’m very excited about bringing FitKid to the North East. I’m looking forward to having fun with the kids while having a positive influence on their health.”

The FitKid Franchise supports government initiatives to improve child fitness and reduce child obesity, currently estimated to be 30% by 2010. FitKid achieves this by making active play a priority and most importantly, enjoyable.

To request a prospectus contact Nicky Kay at FitKid on 08700 85 1000 or email nicky@fitkid.co.uk