OUR GOAL:

To empower you, your team, and your newsroom to be the best


Online Coaching That Gets Results.

Your News Coach is led by a top industry professional who has led the largest and most successful newsrooms in Canada through massive transformations.


For advice based on decades of award-winning content and teams, and a track-record for increasing ratings, revenue, profitability, and employee engagement scores turn to Your News Coach.

Reporter & VJ Coaching

Our Storytelling for Success package focuses on empowering reporters and VJs with the focus, structure, and writing coaching they need to make their stories stand out on any platform.


Presentation feedback and production/process advice is tailored with the goal of helping team members engage audiences through compelling content, all while making the day go as smoothly as possible for them and the entire team.


Areas of coaching:

  • Writing
  • Video/photography
  • Editing
  • On-camera presentation
  • Workflow & time management
  • Idea generation

Producer & Assignment Editor Coaching

Our Shows that Shine package focuses on supporting producers and assignment editors to deliver the best possible product everyday while juggling multiple priorities, platforms, and responsibilities.


We deconstruct shows and production processes to highlight opportunities for making the final product as compelling as it can be while maximizing audience engagement and working through any bumps on the road to getting there.


Areas of coaching:

  • Show structure, format, & writing
  • Production processes
  • Multi-platform prioritization & promotion
  • Idea generation
  • Tease writing
  • Team engagement & feedback

Senior Leader Coaching

Our Tackling Transformation  package is focused on news directors and general managers who are navigating the unprecedented change hitting the industry.


Whether its reviewing operations, searching for new revenue ideas, implementing new technologies, communicating change, or engaging team members, we’ve been there.  It’s tough, and often unpopular work, but done right it can lead to growth and sustainability. We share our deep, experience-based strategies and advice to help you and your team win!


Areas of coaching:

  • Editorial & operational coaching
  • Revenue opportunities
  • New technology & team upskilling
  • Communicating context & change
  • Managing change and transformation
  • Leadership & self-care

Reach out for a call to discuss how Your News Coach can help you and your team through Online Virtual Coaching

Contact Us!

MICHAEL MELLING, B.Comm (Hons.), MA, MBA

PRINCIPAL & FOUNDER, StratOak Ltd &Your News Coach

Michael is the Principal & Founder of StratOak Ltd., and the Your News Coach service. He is an award-winning journalist and business executive who has run the top newsrooms in Canada, including CTV News (National & Local), CP24, and BNN Bloomberg. He brings decades of experience in storytelling, production, and business leadership and finds great satisfaction in helping individuals, teams, and newsrooms develop into the best they can be.


Key highlights:

  • Winner of multiple Edward R. Murrow and RTNDA Canada awards for storytelling, videography, best newscast and overall excellence.
  • Led Canada’s #1 news organization and transformed some of Canada’s biggest newsrooms into sustainable digital businesses.
  • Took the country’s largest local newsroom to #1 from last place in digital while improving the profit margin by two-thirds.
  • "Upskilled" multiple teams on new technologies and workflows while improving team engagements scores by providing context on why transformation was needed and why the plan would work.
  • Worked collaboratively across functional groups to drive significant incremental revenue and unlock new ways of driving business.
  • Optimized resources by looking at where investments were creating value and reinvesting in growth areas.
  • Extensive use of data and research to focus the product on audience and customer wants.
Email Michael

Your News Coach is a service provided by StratOak Inc.

Michael Melling StratOak

Why StratOak?


Strat·e·gy

(noun) - a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim


Oak (known for) - strength, stability, and endurance


"Experience Focused Strategy" is our slogan for a reason.

We've been there, and we use that experience to ensure your success.


From covering top political and business leaders, to navigating internal townhalls with journalist employees about important transformation projects, to making executive decisions in the boardroom - We know what it's like to be on either side of a decision and the news.


We provide trusted advice that comes from decades of experience understanding how the media business and journalists work, how narratives take hold, and how stories are told.  We have seen how strategies can win or lose, and use that experience to guide you on a path to success, ensure your interests are protected, and make sure you're ready to compete for the future.

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