The Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) Global Institute kicks off next week in Las Vegas, bringing together the best minds in legal ops, technology, and transformation. And if you’re among the executives sitting down with media or analysts, you’ve got a unique opportunity: a few minutes of undivided attention to shape your narrative and build long-term visibility.
The catch? Those few minutes go fast—and quality matters more than quantity.
At LIMELIGHT, we’ve supported hundreds of media briefings across CLOC, ILTACON, Legalweek, and beyond. And the biggest differentiator we see between standout conversations and forgettable ones? Preparation. Especially when you don’t have big news to drop.
Here’s how to make sure your time with the media drives value—for you and for them.
1. Have a Strong POV
Beginning the conversation with “What do you want to know?” may sound polite, but it could signal you haven’t done the work. Reporters don’t want to steer the conversation—they want you to bring a strong point of view. Even if you don’t have a product launch or funding round to announce, you should come ready to share industry trends you’re seeing from your seat, the challenges your clients are navigating, or unique insights backed by data. (Hot tip: data-driven storytelling isn’t just for marketing. It’s gold for reporters.)
2. Speak Above the Product
Too many briefings turn into glorified sales demos. Media conversations should focus on problems, patterns, and predictions—not specs. The best reporter conversations provide unique insights and illuminate trends. A good rule of thumb: if your talking points would make sense at a VC pitch meeting or boardroom strategy session, they’ll probably resonate with the press, too.
3. Tailor to the Reporter, Not Just the Outlet
Don’t approach every interview the same way. Learn what the journalist covers, what stories they’ve written recently, and what kinds of sources or commentary they’ve used before, and tailor your message accordingly. This is where working with a comms partner can help—bringing research, context, and prep work to the table so your message lands where it matters.
4. Know the Difference Between Journalists and Analysts
It might sound obvious, but too often we see executives go into briefings with the same playbook. Analysts want roadmaps, customer logos, market positioning, and long-term vision. Journalists want relevance, clarity, and quotable insights. Adjust your approach—and materials—accordingly.
5. Bring Real Stories, Not Just Strategy
Reporters want to highlight texture in their stories. Don’t just say you’re helping GCs “optimize workflows”—give a concrete example. Share what you’re hearing from the front lines. This works even better if it involves a real client (and even better if you have permission to name them or can have the client speak directly to the example).
6. Respect the Reporter’s Time and Agenda
You’re busy, and so are they. It’s a significant investment for news organizations to send reporters on-site, and many are under pressure from editors to deliver stories that are timely, well-sourced, and differentiated. The best briefings are those that respect the exchange—where both parties walk away with value. Show up prepared, stay focused, and be generous with the good stuff.
Bottom Line: Your five minutes of airtime might not lead to a story tomorrow—but it’s the foundation for a relationship that could pay off for years.