Category: Publishers

Business models, Editorial content, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

Stylist Magazine’s editor-in-chief Lisa Smosarski on its circulation success

This week, Stylist Magazine’s editor-in-chief Lisa Smosarski explains how the title has managed to grow its weekly circulation at a time when much of the industry is experiencing print decline.

In the news round-up the gang butt heads over the Guardian’s new £42 million Venture Capital fund, argue about The Wall Street Journal’s new social media guidelines and agree that BuzzFeed UK’s success is a good thing (mostly).

What we’re reading:

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Editorial content, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers

Future’s Rock titles Editor in Chief Scott Rowley on covering rockstar deaths

This week Scott Rowley, Editor in Chief of Future’s rock titles, takes us through how his magazines responded to death of Tom Petty in real time, and why he believes reporting on rock star deaths is devolving into a “bun fight”.

In the news round-up, the gang discuss Glamour magazine moving to a bi-annual publishing schedule, whether Google and Facebook failed in the wake of the Las Vegas shootings, and whether Rupert Murdoch is really publishing’s White Knight (no). Esther imitates a sheep.

We’re reading:
– Why objective journalism is a misleading and dangerous illusion
– Is ‘guerrilla war’ being waged on news broadcasters?
– If journalists take sides, who will speak truth to power?

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Innovations, Podcasts, Publishers, Strategy

Deutsche Welle’s Esra Doğramacı on best practice for digital video

In this week’s episode of Media Voices, Peter travels to Cape Town and interviews Deutsche Welle’s Esra Doğramacı, to find out how the German broadcaster is approaching digital video.

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Business models, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

De Correspondent’s International Editor Maaike Goslinga on crowdfunding journalism

In this week’s episode of Media Voices, Peter speaks to De Correspondent’s International Editor Maaike Goslinga to find out whether its type of crowdfunded journalism could exist in an English-speaking country.

In the news round-up, Peter, Esther, and Chris discuss why magazine cover designers have struck gold with Trump, take bets on whether the pivot to video is good for publishers long-term, and try to come up with a name for a three-party duopoly (harder than you’d think). Chris and Esther argue about the origin of three-dimensional chess.
Chris’ pick for best Trump cartoon:
Peter’s pick:
Esther’s pick:
Platforms, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

British GQ’s Becky Lucas on the true meaning of ‘engagement’

In this episode of the Media Voices Podcast, Esther interviews British GQ’s Insight and Strategy Editor Becky Lucas. They talk about what ‘engagement’ means for a luxury magazine that exists across so many different platforms.

In the news round-up Peter, Esther and Chris discuss BBC pay, Snap’s latest efforts to thwart its competitors, and (shocker!) print revenue. They also take a deep dive into the Reuters Institute’s latest study and Google’s attempt to create a ‘friendless’ recommendation engine. Esther gets preoccupied with a particular GQ article, and Peter and Chris agree they don’t want to join any club that would let them in.

Subscribe to Media Voices on iTunes here or by searching for ‘Media Voices’ in your favourite podcast app.

Innovations, Podcasts, Publishers, Strategy

Dennis UK CTO Paul Lomax on the tech that underpins a modern publisher

In this week’s episode of Media Voices we hear from Dennis Publishing’s CTO Paul Lomax, who discusses the technology that underpins a modern publisher, and how Dennis builds agile working into its culture.

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Innovations, Platforms, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

CNN’s Samantha Barry on innovative social media for a global newsbrand

On the fourth of July, Media Voices is celebrating its own Independence Day. In the inaugural episode of our new-look podcast, Esther interviews CNN’s executive producer of social and emerging media Samantha Barry about its U.S. election coverage, the rise and rise of chatbots, and how the team approaches storytelling across different platforms.

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Business models, Podcasts, Publishers, Strategy

IDG’s Michael Friedenberg on driving a major media brand forward

In this week’s episode, we talk to IDG’s CEO Michael Friedenberg about how IDG has managed to consistently stay ahead of the curve, the future of display advertising and changing revenue breakdowns within the company.

In the news round-up Chris and Esther discuss Apple’s in-browser autoplay-blocking following a similar move by Google last week, the launch of News UK’s new ‘vertical video studio’ and two significant new publisher additions to Snapchat Discover. Chris attempts to guess the election results.

Editorial content, Podcasts, Publishers, Strategy

The Tab’s Charlie Gardiner-Hill on taking a student brand global

In this week’s episode, we talk to The Tab’s COO Charlie Gardiner-Hill about taking the student brand to the States, building other titles around a totem brand, killer clowns and drinking game rules.

In the news round-up Chris and Esther discuss the Guardian’s $50,000 fundraising campaign to support an environmental series called ‘This Land is Your Land’, Google’s latest attempt to control and monetise the ad-blocking ecosystem and Slate applying podcasting lessons to try out VR. Chris sings a song.

TheMediaBriefing podcast is sponsored by Make Real. Make Real, providing virtual reality experiences that engage, inform, inspire and delight.

Editorial content, Platforms, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Social responsibility

Cosmopolitan UK’s Farrah Storr on Snapchat and representation

In this week’s edition of TheMediaBriefing, Esther talks to Cosmopolitan UK’s editor-in-chief Farrah Storr about the brand’s Snapchat success, whether women’s magazines have a duty to be representative of an entire gender, and what the magazine might look like in the future.

In the news roundup Chris and Esther discuss Snap Inc’s disappointing results, El Pais’ plans partnership with Amazon to deliver a print product in under two hours and why Amazon Prime is launching a live concert division. An argument ensues over who owns the MediaBriefing office crown (not a metaphor).

Business models, Platforms, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

Bauer’s head of ePublishing Jim Foster on native app strategy

In the latest episode of TheMediaBriefing, Bauer’s head of ePublishing Jim Foster takes us through the publisher’s app and distributed publishing strategies and provides a look back at how the company went from having no apps to considering one for each publication. Chris and Esther try not to sound too incredulous when he describes a time in magazine publishing when the market could support multiple magazines about carp.

In the news round-up Chris and Esther discuss a £300m bad week for Johnston Press, the News Integrity Initiative and De Correspondent’s attempt to crack the states.

Editorial content, Platforms, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

Trinity Mirror’s digital innovation editor Alison Gow on the opportunities of Live

In the March 28th episode of TheMediaBriefing, we talk to Trinity Mirror’s digital innovation editor Alison Gow on the opportunities afforded by live video for national and regional media, in addition to talking AR and best practice for engaging with communities on social platforms.

In the news round-up Chris and Esther discuss the ongoing YouTube ad blackout, why reddit is introducing profile pages, Twitter’s new premium offering and more success for The Times’ subscription model.

Podcasts, Publishers, Strategy

News UK’s Helen Philpot on managing change at a large media company

In this week’s episode of TheMediaBriefing, News UK’s director of business change Helen Philpot takes us through the challenges and opportunities of change for a large media business, with a focus on where News UK looks for inspiration and sets goals for new endeavours. In the news round-up, Chris and Esther discuss the Guardian’s membership growth, the strengths and weaknesses of Snap ahead of its IPO, and Medium’s new subscription model.

Editorial content, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Social responsibility

Glamour’s Jo Elvin on a modern magazine’s role in society

In the latest, entirely Trump-free podcast, we hear from Glamour UK’s editor in chief Jo Elvin on its recent format change and price drop, its enduring place in the minds of its readers and how the magazine and society are reciprocal reflections of one another. In the news round-up, Chris and Esther talk Guardian rumours, print closures (we don’t seek these out, we swear!) and the latest skirmish in the Facebook-Snapchat war.

Platforms, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

Mashable’s Anne-Marie Tomchak on social video and building a digital brand

In this edition of TheMediaBriefing’s podcast, Mashable’s UK editor Anne-Marie Tomchak tells us about how the digital brand is using social to reach an ever-more vital and relevant audience. Chris and Esther discuss Trinity job losses, a wobble about online video news and Quartz’s pivot away from events to a subscription-based business.

Business models, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

The Times’ Joseph Stashko on building a great newsletter strategy

In this second edition of TheMediaBriefing’s 2017 podcast series, we hear from The Times’ and Sunday Times’ newsletters editor Joseph Stashko about the past, present and future of publishers’ newsletter strategies and how they can support a commercial proposition. Also, Chris and Esther hesitantly try to pronounce a lot of names of European companies and segue into a discussion about comment sections.

Editorial content, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers

The Drum’s Diane Young on when a magazine company is no longer a magazine company

In this episode of TheMediaBriefing podcast, we chat to The Drum’s Diane Young to ask when a magazine company is no longer a magazine company. We also provide a news round-up discussing a bad week for (most) print products and publishers, Facebook finally overtaking some traditional media organisations in terms of ad revenue, and a discussion about whether we’re already living in an advertising dystopia.