Client Testimonials
"We at The Hockey Group have used Michael's services on several occasions. Our players have met with Mike on a variety of issues and each of them have found him to be extremely knowledgable and easy to work with. Michael has the ability to put you at ease and our players feel they can contact him at any time over any issue. We have found that Michael goes above and beyond when it comes to dealing with our players and helping them through any issues that they may have and we strongly recommend him as he is more than able to deal with any situation that an elite athlete encounters."
Gerry McKeown
September 2009
Director of Hockey Operations/Ontario Director of the Hockey Group (the sports representation agency operated by NHLPA certified agent Mike McArthur)
“It was our pleasure to have Michael & Mary-Louise provide and strengthen such strong life messages to the members of our Club. The guidelines and lessons you suggested I’m sure will reinforce our commitment to excellence for our Coaches. Thanks for the work you are doing for our Youth.”
Altaf Sarangi, CA
VP Finance
Glen Shields Soccer Club
Thornhill, Ontario
"I have worked with Michael many times on specific media -related issues, as a facilitator for workshops and in the development of an issues-book. He is fantastic to work with - engaging, reliable, knowledgeable. I highly recommend Michael for any communications, media, issues management and similarly-related work."
Brandy Tanenbaum, CRM
July 2009
Executive Director
Sport 4 Ontario
(Ontario) Provincial Sport Organizations Council
Former Manager, Risk Management
Ontario Hockey Federation
"I learned of Michael several years ago from a number of professional and amateur coaches who had worked with him. When I was coaching in Toronto, I initially brought Michael in to tutor our young Maple Leaf prospects and draft choices to assist them in developing strong communication skills. Michael also provided media awareness training to prepare them for the intense Toronto sports scene.
Personally, I have been truly enriched by Michael's knowledge, experience, and insight. He became and has remained an invaluable resource and friend, providing me with expert counsel and guidance in a challenging and always changing professional world."
Pat Quinn
Fall 2009
Head Coach, Edmonton Oilers
Head Coach, 2002 Team Canada Olympic Gold Medal squad
Head Coach, 2004 Team Canada World Cup Champions
"Thank you so much for an amazing session. I sincerely appreciate the time and effort you invested into preparing for and conducting the media presentation training. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, skills, expertise and experience with the Paralympics Ontario Ambassador team. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to work together and I look forward to future professional partnerships.”
Helena Seymour
December 2007
Development Manager
Paralympics Ontario
"All of our local coaches, despite varying backgrounds in public speaking, left the Prospect Communications workshop with valuable skills that I am sure will be used to inspire and engage our community.
I found the personal information Michael included especially memorable. Michael's approach to making the information personal and relevant for each participant made the time meaningful and fast paced.
At Active Cambridge we believe that being able to effectively communicate and share one’s mission, stories, and information is critical in increasing community capacity for physical activity. Prospect's seminar has moved our group one step closer to the goal.”
Andy Houraine
September 2007
Community Animator
Active Cambridge
Cambridge, Ontario
"The Central Hockey League contacted Michael to speak to our Head Coaches about all areas of communication during our Annual League Meetings. After we saw the draft of his presentation, we added our Team Governors/General Managers as well as Public Relations/Broadcasters to his presentation groups. Michael's service was invaluable for all of these individuals in dealing with the media, Officials, their players and future employers. We appreciate the information and ideas that Michael was able to impart on our staffs.”
Duane Lewis
July 2007
Vice President of Operations
Central Hockey League
Phoenix, Arizona
"Michael I would like to thank you as you have been a tremendous help to me. I personally feel that I have gained more practical knowledge from our single day of public speaking training than I have from all of my communications studies at university. I have applied many of the tips and suggestions you provided me with into my speeches and have gained a lot of confidence as a result."
Benoit Huot
April 2007
Canadian National Paralympic Swim Team
S10 400-Metre World Record Holder
"Michael has been an advisor to me and I’ve been so consistently impressed that I have referred a number of people to him over the past several years. The success he has achieved with young athletes, for example, is remarkable. His work has deeply contributed to their improved attitudes and work ethic, helping them become true professionals both on and off the field of play. Michael also makes a real difference with his clients in terms of an individual’s public speaking ability, their interaction with the media, and in his role as a mentor and coach. The noticeable impact of his work is felt on a daily basis. I recommend Michael very highly."
Frank Giffen
November 2006
Managing Director, Scotia Capital, Ireland
"Thank God for your media training - I think I put everything you have ever told me to use during those 12 days in London (at the 2005 Memorial Cup)!"
Aaron Bell
Director of Information, Canadian Hockey League
"Michael Langlois has a natural aptitude for the art and science of communicating. He and Mary-Louise are guiding me towards an understanding that as an athlete I am connected to other Canadians by a common door: the media.
With their enthusiam for sport and media they have shown me that not only honing my communication skills can be fun, but also rewarding in my work and personal life, too. Michael truly is a master communicator, an excellent mentor, teacher and friend."
Wendy Broad
Canadian National Amateur Women’s Boxing team
2001 Bantamweight World Amateur Championships Bronze medallist
2002 Canadian amateur bantamweight National Champion
"Your presentation received rave reviews and added a lot to our semi-annual meeting."
Tony Martindale
Executive Director, Alliance Hockey
(Michael spoke on the subject of "understanding -- and building positive relationships -- with the media.")
"Working with Michael and Prospect has been really helpful over the past couple of years. The kind of support and counsel they provide before NHL team interviews and the draft, for example, is something I appreciated and was a real benefit to me."
Carlo Colaicovo
Former Toronto Maple Leaf
(Maple Leafs First-Round Draft Choice, 2001)
"Working with Michael and Prospect has been a pleasure and a real learning experience the past few years."
Tim Brent
Toronto Maple Leaf
Former Anaheim Ducks
(Ducks Second-Round Draft Choice, 2002)
"Michael Langlois has the knowledge and experience necessary to assist aspiring athletes in developing a greater appreciation for the importance of proper communication. He highlights the importance of maintaining one's integrity in their pursuit of excellence. I highly recommend his services."
Paul Dennis, PhD.
Former Player Development Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs
"The time spent with the Prospect Communications group was invaluable in dealing with everyday problems and situations that arise in today's world of professional sports. I would highly recommend Prospect Communications to all coaches and players."
Barry Trotz
Head Coach, Nashville Predators
"Thanks for such an insightful and practical experience.
The time that the staff of Ontario Hockey Federation member partners spent with you, has resulted in the acquisition of life skills necessary for them to perform their responsibilities, that will make them more responsive and more responsible to the media and the public.
Your care and attention to the smallest of details has laid a foundation that will increase their confidence and media skills."
Brent Ladds
President, Ontario Hockey Association
"For college athletes and coaches today, it is increasingly important to develop strong communication and media skills. I had the opportunity to attend Michael Langlois' talk on this subject recently at the American Hockey Coaches Association convention, and was duly impressed with his presentation. The work he does with coaches--and athletes--is all the more important these days given the high profile and media attention placed on those in the sports world."
Red Berenson
Former NHL player and NHL Head Coach
Member, Team Canada, 1972
Head Coach, University of Michigan Men's Hockey program, 1984-present
"I first met Michael Langlois in 1995, and have found his expertise and guidance in dealing with the press to be of genuine value since then. There is a lot we don't know when we come into professional hockey. It can only help to take advantage of the knowledge that someone like Michael and his colleagues have developed over the years. Any time you spend with Michael would be of great benefit to you in your career."
Keith Acton
Assistant Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs
Former Assistant Coach, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers
Former NHL player
"The services that Prospect offers are more and more crucial to today's athletes and coaches."
Brad Delgarno
President, Starshot Ventures Inc.
Former NHL player, NHLPA member, and player representative
“Congratulations on the wonderful job you are doing in helping young athletes in so many areas. The work you are doing should be taught to all athletes throughout the world, and they would not only improve their lives, but it would make the world a better place to live in."
Keep up your good work.”
Dale Brown
Long-time Head Basketball Coach, Louisiana State University
"I was my company's designated spokesman for a controversial issue. Calm and comfortable in front of the camera and microphone for over two decades, I thought that I should be the one doing the teaching. But in my first hour with Michael, I was humbled to the point of embarrassment.
He opened doors to a series of possibilities I never fathomed (doors I wished had remained shut, frankly), and taught me how to deal with each and every one of them. The end result that was whether sitting before a Senate Committee, ambushed by a scrum of cameras, or questioned by strangers on a street, I was able to handle myself in a manner that was forceful, yet professional. This isn't about learning how to perform or "spin," it's about learning how to communicate one's message on a wide level.
I still use his techniques on a regular basis."
Andy Nulman
President, Festivals and Television at Just For Laughs
CMO at Just For Laughs
"I have engaged Michael for his presentation skills training several times over the past few years, each time with excellent results. As a marketing representative of various major brands, a vital part of my job is effective communication and presentation skills. Michael's training was informative, insightful and effective. His training taught me techniques that helped me to refine my approach for more impactful presentations and, without question, bolstered my confidence before I headed to the stage. I wholeheartedly recommend Michael for presentation and media skills training and welcome the opportunity to work with him again in the future."
Alyssa Stuart
Account Supervisor
Faye Clack Communications Inc.
August 2009
"Your session has provided me and members of our organization the confidence to respond to the media who can be very intimidating at times. By giving us the skills and the protocol to use with the media we feel we have been prepared to handle a situation that can be critical and stressful. Thanks again for your professionalism."
John Spatazzo
Board Member, Council of Catholic Service Organizations
and Executive Director, CYO
April 2008
"I’ve called on Michael’s advisory services many times, with different organizations, over the past 15 years or more. In my experience working with him over the years, he’s never failed to deliver on the promise of valuable insights, enhanced skill and an increased level of comfort for participants in their roles as ambassadors for their organizations and expert subject-matter spokespersons. The benefit of working with someone with Michael’s disarming sense of humour has always been appreciated. It puts people at ease, and that enhances the learning experience. Michael has been a key factor in the success of the media, issues management and presentation skills training initiated over the years, including here at CACDS.”
Nadine Saby
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores
February 2008
"I have worked with Michael on several occasions and have always found his insight and counsel tremendously valuable. His extensive experience in communications and issues management has delivered unique value to the Foundation and definitely elevated our ability to communicate more effectively with our diverse stakeholder base."
Jordan Berman
Former Senior Advisor, National Communications & Brand Strategy
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
"Michael has a great sense of personal honor. He provided to those of us - physicians and scientists - involved in this sensitive situation with unending and very valuable support and advice. All of us who benefited from his wise counsel, sense of humor and unique professional skills recognize that Michael is a national treasure."
Dr. Nancy Olivieri, MD, FRCPC
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
Professor, Pediatrics and Medicine
University of Toronto
(Dr. Olivieri has been involved, for many years, in an effort to make public her concerns about the alleged potential dangers of a drug she had been testing in clinical trials sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. Her principled stand has become an enduring legacy regarding the safety of children and the need for researchers to remain truly independent.)
"I was part of a senior executive management team of a publicly traded company when I got to know Michael. He regularly advised and prepared us for events such as Annual General Meetings, quarterly and other public disclosures -- press conferences and conference calls with the financial community and investors -- and product launches. Michael always brought focus, discipline and an over-powering common sense to these high pressure and critically important events. Almost as important was Michael’s sense of humor, which he always summoned at just the right time and with just the right amount of discretion.
I enjoyed working with Michael as a professional and as someone who operates like he has skin in the game."
Bob Boron
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Former Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Call-Net Enterprises and Sprint Canada
"Over the years, Michael has guided and prepared my colleagues and myself to handle a variety of communications issues. He is truly an expert that adds practical and tangible value to me and to our organization at large. He is a terrific coach and uses his sharp wit to make the learning experience that much more enjoyable."
Michael Cloutier
President and Chief Executive Officer
AstraZeneca Canada Inc.,
Former President
Searle Canada (now Pharmacia Canada), Mississauga, Ontario
"Michael has done a fabulous job facilitating large groups of people on a number of issues within our organization. He is a great communicator and has helped us considerably in the areas of crisis management, media relations and communications within our organization."
Norma Kent
Former CBC journalist,
Former Communications Specialist
The Arthritis Society