Each episode of the InPublishing Podcast features an in-depth interview with a leading figure in the publishing world. The podcast is published on an occasional basis – you can subscribe via your preferred podcast app, or listen to the episodes below.
We would like to thank our current podcasts sponsor Air Business, an expert provider of distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Season 5
Episode 55: Jim Bilton
James Evelegh talks to Jim Bilton about the results of this year's Media Shapers poll, which asked the question, 'Which individual do you think is going to have the biggest impact on the shape of the overall media business in 2023 (for good or ill)? And why?'. They talked about: • Jim's belief that it's still people that make things happen in the media business • the "unprecedented challenges" facing the media business • the two individuals who topped the poll, neither of whom even appeared in the last survey • why recent advances in AI mean that "the world of publishing will never be the same again" • why Rupert Murdoch appeared in the first poll, this poll, and will probably feature in the next one too • how the opposing leaders in the Russia / Ukraine war "both share a common understanding of the power of the media" • the growth of influencers, and how they are becoming more political • why the current culture secretary features in the poll even though she's only been in the job since February • what B2C can learn from B2B and vice versa • how the findings of the Media Shapers poll dovetail with Jim's wider benchmarking project, Media Futures • and lots more... (This interview was recorded on 27th April.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Episode 54: Sajeeda Merali
James Evelegh talks to Sajeeda Merali, CEO of the PPA, about: • the PPA’s focus on people, product and audience • how communication lies at the heart of all successful business transformations • the evolution of ‘sales’ and how it has moved away from selling by platform to selling by audience • the skill-sets successful sales teams now require • the PPA’s role in “unpacking the complicated stuff” • why there is still a long way to go on ED&I but how the publishing sector is well placed to drive change • why, when it comes to ED&I, everyone can do something, whether you’re a multi-national or a team of three • how an executive coach helped her think differently about her career • what the PPA hopes to achieve with its upcoming hackathon • the state of play regarding the ‘digital markets unit’ and the ‘online safety bill’ • and, why despite the challenging outlook, she remains optimistic about publishing’s future: the surfeit of “misinformation and fake news highlights the value of good journalism” • and much more…
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Episode 53: Claire Hodgson
James Evelegh talks to Claire Hodgson, editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan UK, about: • why putting the finishing touches to their 50th birthday issue was a “pinch-me moment” • how they went about growing their digital audience • why print remains a key pillar for the brand: “it’s a shop window and has a huge halo effect on the rest of what we do” • embracing the new and being excited about change • wanting Cosmo to be its audience’s “best friend” • the importance of data, but why it can never replace the work of skilled editorial teams • why she insists on their entertainment coverage being fair, considered and fact-checked • the importance of sincerity: “our audience does not have time for performative behaviour and can smell it a mile off” • why magazine brands have to be clear about what they stand for and believe in it • why, in today’s gender-fluid, non-binary world, there is no such thing as a “typical” Cosmo reader • why they have a responsibility to talk about the “tough stuff”, but also the latest must-have mascara for a Saturday night out • how digital and social success comes from investing in great people; there are no short cuts • why each of a publishing brand’s platforms should behave like pureplays • how the secret of e-commerce success is great content and authenticity • why she’s excited about ‘Summerverse’, Cosmo’s first venture onto the metaverse: “a lot of fun, so much opportunity” • and much more... (This interview was recorded on 25th August.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Episode 52: Dave Musgrove
James Evelegh talks to Dave Musgrove, content director, history, at Immediate Media, about: • their HistoryExtra podcast hitting the twin milestones of 15 years & 150m downloads • how they're marking the milestones with a new series: '15 minutes of fame' • introducing a UGC element to their podcasts • dos & don'ts of creating a successful podcast • how the podcast started as a marketing channel but is now a monetisable product • how the HistoryExtra podcast team manages to deliver such prolific output • why the Bayeux Tapestry still resonates today • why they've put a paywall on the HistoryExtra website • their key paywall learnings to date • his thinking on incorporating a more "clubbable element" to the HistoryExtra offering • his hopes for a possible new lease of life for the newsstand post-pandemic • and much more... (This interview was recorded on 23rd June.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Episode 51: Alex White
James Evelegh talks to Alex White, MD (Food and Parenting) at Immediate Media, about: • what it takes to create a great publishing brand • how data is the engine room at Immediate Media • the brilliance of the BBC Good Food editorial team at identifying and anticipating audience mood • testing the water with paid-for content through their new app • the multiple opportunities that have arisen from their busy Facebook community • the editorial challenge of moving from one global crisis to another • making loyalty & engagement their strategic priorities • the keys to success in the competitive parenting market • their diversity initiatives ("we're on a journey but our content is much the better for it") • her experience as founder director of the AOP • what excites her most about the future of consumer media • and much more... (This interview was recorded on 28th April.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Episode 50: Emily Ferguson
James Evelegh talks to Emily Ferguson, Ecommerce Director at Marie Claire, about: • the recent launch of Marie Claire Edit USA • the key pillars of ecommerce success • why the tech you use will either "make or break" your ecommerce operation • why adopting an agile approach, based on test and learning, is so important • how successful ecommerce relies on lots of different things (SEO, on-site optimisation etc) working in harmony • why she makes sure she is looped into all customer services • her advice for publishers starting on the ecommerce journey ("start small, start slow") • and more... (This interview was recorded on 24th March.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Episode 49: Gavin Thompson
James Evelegh talks to Gavin Thompson, Newsquest's regional editor for Wales, about: • their decision to launch The National last year (in part due to London-based news media not fully understanding Welsh needs) • about its mission to promote a sense of Welsh identity and pride in the country • its three core content pillars (Welsh culture, the devolution settlement & social justice) • how print was an important part of their launch, and might be an important part of their future, but for now, is a distraction • how the new title fits in with Newsquest's existing Welsh titles • its dual focus on growing digital subs and audience reach • how newsletters will play an important role in subscriber retention • why they (indeed all journalists) need to get better at "talking about ourselves" • how regional media has reached a tipping point and is becoming a growth business again • why audience performance is such a key driver of business success • the importance of "feet on the ground" as opposed to reporting from a bedroom 200 miles away • and much more... (This interview was recorded on 6th January.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Season 4
Episode 48: Rosie Nixon
James Evelegh talks to Rosie Nixon, editor-in-chief of HELLO! Magazine, about: • her new book 'Be kind' ("my lockdown baby") • why HELLO! wears its kindness as a "badge of honour" • why she has no hesitation in blocking toxic online comments; "they don't have a place in our world" • how HELLO! responded to Covid, when glossy photo-shoots were harder to come by • making royal coverage their USP • why HELLO! is a multi-platform brand, but "print still sets the tone" • making HELLO! a 24/7 brand and engaging with younger readers through Tik Tok et al • why depth and exclusivity are what separates their content from the huge volumes of celebrity content available online • why the office environment is still important ("as a journalist, you need to be seeing other people") • why the future of publishing must be underpinned by a deep understanding of audience needs and... being agile • and much more... (This interview was recorded on 30th November.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Episode 47: Tabitha Stapely
James Evelegh talks to Tabitha Stapely, founder & director of Social Streets, about: • being a digital first publisher launching a print magazine • their 'minimum viable product' approach • the hyperlocal community-led journalism model • the importance of community outreach and her aim to get people to fall in love with the place they live in • trying to become financially sustainable as a 'community interest company' • her journey from GQ intern to independent local publisher • her ambition to increase UGC and make 'Roman Road London' and their other sites, platforms for the whole community • the tech challenge facing all hyperlocal sites • why hyperlocal publishers should unite to facilitate ad selling across sites • why she thinks values-based publishing might be the way forward for the consumer magazine sector she used to work in • and much more (This interview was recorded on 18th November.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
Episode 46: Rory Brown
James Evelegh talks to Rory Brown, co-founder & CEO of AgriBriefing, about: • how good media is user-centric, not platform-centric • their journey from traditional B2B publisher to data business • how selling high value corporate subscriptions requires a different mindset • how success in the commodity pricing market is based on trust • why "volatility is our friend" • why he sees AgriBriefing being an integral part of the agri industry, not just a media company reporting on it • how his career has come full circle and how what was not fashionable in the early 90s is now • why B2B is all about helping the audience do their job better • his ambition to be one step ahead of his customers, offering them things they don't yet know they need • their ambitions to be a dominant player in the commodity pricing market • why good strategy is as much about what you don't do, as what you do do • why being a magpie and a collector of good ideas will always serve business leaders well • and much more (This interview was recorded on 4th November.)
Thank you to Air Business for sponsoring this podcast. Air Business is a market-leader in distribution and subscription management services for the publishing industry.
