Frequently
Asked Questions

Remarkably little, yes. Outside Singapore — which has a handful of mostly imported trainers — there is almost no dedicated media training provision in the region. Most executives either fly someone in from London or New York at enormous expense, or simply wing it. Ramon Stoppelenburg established Lord Penh's media training to address that gap: locally embedded, regionally fluent, and actually here.

All training is delivered personally by Ramon Stoppelenburg — Dutch journalist, author and broadcaster based in Phnom Penh. Ramon is not a communications consultant. He is a journalist who has spent over 15 years on the receiving end of interviews — asking the questions, pushing for answers, deciding what becomes the story. He trains from that position: not how to perform well, but how interviews actually unfold, where they turn, and what journalists do with the answers they are given. There are no associates, no subcontractors and no junior trainers. When you book through Lord Penh, you get Ramon Stoppelenburg.

Media training is specifically focused on how you perform in front of journalists — interviews, press conferences, doorstep moments. Presentation coaching covers the broader range of public performance: pitches, keynotes, board presentations, video content. The skills overlap significantly but the contexts and techniques differ. Many clients benefit from both, and programmes can be designed to combine them.

Most valuable before one. By the time a crisis arrives, it is too late to build the muscle memory that makes the difference. Crisis preparedness training helps organisations identify vulnerabilities, develop response frameworks and reach the point where the first call from a journalist does not produce paralysis. The organisations that respond well in a real crisis are almost always the ones that have been through a simulated one. We recommend running a scenario exercise at least annually — ideally before anything is coming, not because something already is.

Training has been delivered across hospitality, technology, financial services, NGOs, government relations, real estate, FMCG, healthcare, infrastructure, media and higher education. Each sector has different media dynamics and risk profiles — our training reflects that rather than applying a one-size approach. If you are unsure whether your sector is a good fit, just ask.

Yes, and Ramon encourages it. Effective communications under pressure requires alignment across PR, marketing, legal and executive teams. A spokesperson who nails their message while the CEO contradicts it in a corridor interview is not a win. Ramon designs bespoke group programmes to build shared language, aligned messaging and coordinated crisis response capacity across an entire function.

Ramon Stoppelenburg is based in Phnom Penh and has delivered training in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bali. Training is available anywhere in Southeast Asia where the organising party can arrange logistics. If your city is not on that list, ask — it can usually be accommodated.

All training is commissioned through an organising party — a company, institution, conference organiser or event host. Ramon Stoppelenburg does not sell tickets directly to members of the public. If you are an individual who wants to attend, the simplest route is to ask your employer, your professional association or a local conference organiser to make the booking. Once booked, a 50% deposit is required to confirm the date. The remainder is due on the day of training.

For individual or small-group sessions, two to three weeks' notice is usually sufficient. For multi-day or large-group programmes, four to six weeks is preferable to allow proper customisation and logistics planning. If you have an urgent need — an imminent press conference, a breaking crisis situation — contact Ramon directly. Short-notice requests are accommodated where possible.

For training delivered outside Phnom Penh, all travel, accommodation and on-the-ground expenses are covered by the organising party — either booked directly or reimbursed at cost. This is agreed in advance and itemised clearly in the proposal. There are no surprise expenses.

Training is primarily delivered in English, which is the working language for most of the media interactions clients prepare for. For Dutch-speaking clients, training in Dutch is available. For other languages, Ramon can discuss options with trusted partners in key markets.

Yes. Registered non-governmental organisations and non-profit institutions qualify for a 30% reduction on all training fees. Mention your NGO status when making your initial enquiry and it will be reflected in the proposal. Proof of registration may be requested.

The camera is on from the first exercise. There is no extended warm-up, no slides, no theory. The day begins with a short briefing to understand your role, your messages and specifically the question you most want to avoid. Then it is straight into filmed interview simulations — immediate playback after each exercise, critique, correction, and repetition until the answer holds. By the end of the day you have been through a hostile press conference, a doorstep ambush and a broadcast Q&A. You leave with the recording, a written critique and a personal action plan. The difference between the first exercise and the last is visible and on camera.

Training runs on your equipment, in your environment. A setup requirements checklist is sent with every booking confirmation. In brief: a smartphone or camera on a tripod, connected to a screen of laptop for immediate playback, a microphone, soft front lighting with no strong backlighting, and a quiet room with a clean background. If the setup does not meet minimum standards, adjustments are made on-site. Ramon Stoppelenburg does not bring his own recording equipment — training in your real environment is part of the method.

A recording of the first exercise and a recording of the final exercise — the difference between them is the evidence. A written critique covering specific patterns identified during the day. A set of three to five personally developed core messages tested under real pressure. A tested answer to the question they were most hoping to avoid. A personal action plan. For group programmes, a summary report covering team-level observations is also provided to the commissioning organisation.

Available formats include: a one-day one-on-one intensive (most popular for individual executives), a three-day seminar for individuals or small groups, hosted public workshops where an organiser manages enrolment and Ramon Stoppelenburg delivers, bespoke corporate programmes designed around your organisation, and crisis preparedness workshops run as half-day or full-day scenario exercises. All formats are in person. There are no remote or online sessions.

Not directly. Ramon Stoppelenburg does not sell individual tickets. Public-format workshops exist when an organising party — a company, conference, professional association or venue — chooses to host one and opens it to participants. If you want a public workshop in your city, ask a local organiser to reach out. When there is enough interest in a specific location, a date can be arranged.

Anyone who faces — or may face — a camera, a journalist, a microphone or a public audience. This includes C-suite executives, designated spokespeople, NGO directors, PR and communications professionals, entrepreneurs preparing for investor media, authors and thought leaders building a public presence, government and institutional representatives, and teams responsible for crisis response. If your organisation has any public-facing exposure, media training is relevant.

Day rates start from USD 1,500 for in-country training (within Cambodia). For training elsewhere in Southeast Asia, travel and accommodation are added at cost. Multi-day and group programmes are priced on scope. NGOs and registered non-profits receive a 30% reduction. A detailed proposal with transparent pricing is provided before any commitment is made.

A 50% deposit is required to confirm the booking date. The remaining 50% is due on the day of training. For multi-day programmes, a payment schedule is agreed in the proposal. All travel and accommodation expenses are either booked directly by the organising party or invoiced at cost, with receipts provided.

Email ramones@gmail.com with a brief description of what you need: format, approximate audience size, location and preferred dates. Ramon Stoppelenburg will respond within 24 hours with a tailored proposal. No obligation, no sales process — just a straightforward quote.