Sam McAlister

BBC News Interview Producer who Secured Interview with Prince Andrew for BBC "Newsnight"

Sam McAlister is a name that commands respect and attention in the fields of journalism and media. Her rise to fame can be attributed to securing the ground breaking interview with HRH Prince Andrew for "Prince Andrew & The Epstein Scandal: The Newsnight Interview." As a BAFTA-nominated Interview Producer for BBC Newsnight and an RTS award-winning journalist, Sam has developed her skills over a decade of high-profile news programming. Her experiences negotiating with key figures at Buckingham Palace, The White House, Facebook, and Tesla underscore her prowess in persuading influential individuals to engage in critical interviews. This background makes Sam a highly sought-after keynote speaker and event host, where she shares her insights on negotiation, media strategy, and leadership.

Sam's career foundation is built on strategy, negotiation, and media interaction. Starting as a Criminal Barrister at 25 Bedford Row, she honed her negotiation skills in Magistrates, Crown Court, and the Old Bailey. Transitioning to journalism, Sam began as a Reporter for BBC Radio 4 and became a Producer for BBC Newsnight in 2008, ascending to Interviews Producer in 2011. In this role, she has secured interviews with some of the world's most prestigious figures, including President Clinton, Elon Musk, Amy Schumer, Eric Schmidt, and Stormy Daniels. Her deep understanding of leadership, reputation management, and media dynamics allows her to offer valuable insights into avoiding critical mistakes and handling the toughest media inquiries.

Sam's recent achievements have further cemented her reputation. Her Amazon bestselling book, "Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews," was adapted into Netflix’s "Scoop," where she served as the Executive Director. This series topped the charts in the UK and eight other countries, with Billie Piper portraying Sam and Gillian Anderson playing Emily Maitlis. Additionally, her book inspired a documentary on Channel 4 titled "The Problem Prince," which ranked in the Top 20 Most Watched for Channel 4 in 2023. These successes have led to Sam’s extensive participation in press conferences and appearances on popular shows like This Morning, Good Morning Britain, and Lorraine. She has also contributed articles to renowned publications such as the Daily Mail, Tatler, the Radio Times, Elle, and the Independent.

Currently, as a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics, Sam teaches negotiation within the law faculty. Her extensive experience as a keynote speaker includes engagements with banks, law firms, and various panels. She has also chaired awards ceremonies and won numerous debating prizes. In 2024, Sam's TEDx Talk, "The Inside Story of Prince Andrew’s Notorious BBC Interview," garnered 50,000 views in a week, ranking among the Top 10 TEDx Talks globally. When hired as a keynote speaker, Sam McAlister delivers compelling presentations on negotiation, leadership, speaking truth to power, crisis communication, and women's roles in the workplace. Her unique insider perspective on significant media stories and her powerful connection with audiences make her an exceptionally sought-after speaker.

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