Behind the Scenes – an interview
with Tim Harris, FSA

Explain your overall experiences with the news media and what your impression has been.
My recent experiences include radio and television interviews for the Living to 100 Symposium earlier this year and, more recently, in connection with the research report on secondhand smoke. Previous exposure includes interviews with various newspaper reporters about other research and an appearance on a local television news program because of my involvement in a community event.

Has media training been helpful to you?
As a consultant, I have had the opportunity to receive media training that has been helpful but not as helpful as real life experiences.

Has your involvement in press interviews changed you in anyway?
The only effect that past press experiences have had is that I have become more comfortable with future press interviews. I’ve learned that the press is very understanding and when I have read what they have printed or listened to what they have presented, I sounded better than I thought I sounded during the interview. If needed, there are opportunities to correct what has been said to newspaper reporters. The radio and television interviews are typically not live so the reporters will cut and paste the better sounding pieces.

How did you become interested in participating in media interviews?
I did not intentionally seek media exposure, but rather it has been the result of follow-up from either the Society of Actuaries or directly from the reporters themselves. However, when presented with the requests, I didn't hesitate to accept.

What advice would you share with individuals preparing to work with reporters?
Preparation is the key when working with reporters. One time I prepared four hours for a 15-minute interview. It’s also important to be prepared because the reporter can take the interview in any direction.

Have you learned anything the "hard way" with reporters?
I've had a couple of interviews where I thought that the reporter was looking for a specific angle when, in fact, he went in a different direction. In one of those situations, since I hadn't prepared for this angle, I just indicated that I would send him the information following the interview.

What have your impressions been about the differences between print and broadcast (TV/radio) outlets?
Television and radio reporters seem to be focused on a particular topic and you may not know what that topic is until you're half way through the interview. Their deadlines tend to be more immediate and their attention span can be very short at times. Newspaper reporters seem to be more relaxed about things and will give you more of an upfront idea of their focus.

Anything else you'd like to add?
The SOA has been very supportive in the media interview process by giving me advance notice of the pending interview and, also, by providing a pre-interview prep-talk and pep talk through its Public Relations staff.