T
he subtext of this media primer for businesspeople by two veterans of various TV shows is far more interesting than the actual content. Not only do the authors take it for granted that most individuals want to appear on television, but they argue that the very skills that position one for a closeup have “universal application” beyond electronic exposure. “Learning to define yourself as a brand, clarify your message, and convince someone that your idea is worth paying attention to (or, eventually paying for) in a crisp, concise way are valuable tools whether you want to get on television, become head of your PTA, or land that dream job,” they coo. They lay out a fairly unsurprising collection of lessons such as familiarizing yourself with the shows, creating something pitch-worthy before pitching and respecting the time of those in the business. Interviews with “television insiders” slow down what is already a tanklike velocity. Still, if one knows nothing about getting TV exposure, this book may well increase the slim odds of landing a spot. (July 3)
