Media training and public relations
Fruit Of The Vine Media is based in London and run by Greg Watts, who has 20 years of experience working in print, radio and TV.
Fruit Of The Vine Media offers affordable and personal media training and public relations to charities, churches, schools, and small businesses. It also runs workshops for schools and colleges.
Greg believes that all organisations need to understand the way the media is changing.
"The Internet is bringing about massive changes in the media. Web sites, blogs, You Tube, mobile phone technology and so on are transforming how we communicate. For example, many newspapers now produce an online version and, in some cases, even podcasts and videos. The boundaries between print, TV and radio have collapsed. All of this can sometimes appear confusing and complicated. But it's not really, if you see the Internet as just the latest in a long line of media developments, stretching back to the printing press, or even the first alphabet."
Understanding how the media works is vital if you want to use it to your advantage, he adds.
"You have to realise that newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations and so on are businesses and there to serve not just their readers, viewers or listeners, but also their advertisers. What's more news is a product, manufactured and packaged for a particular market. It's important to keep all of this in mind when dealing with the media."
Without professional help, he suggests, organisations risk missing out on opportunities in the media and of making mistakes that can damage their public image.
"When I'm asked why help from an experienced journalist is necessary, I have a simple answer. If you have a legal issue to resolve, you go and see a solicitor. If you have a problem with lighting, you go and see an electrician. So, if you facing issues about communication, you need to seek the advice of a professional. Would you hand over a legal problem to someone whose only qualification is only a willingness to try and help?"