The Publisher Podcast by Media Voices

Media Voices: Digital Content Next CEO Jason Kint on the great challenge of the Duopoly

Jason Kint, the CEO of Digital Content Next, the trade association for online publishers, takes us through the organisation's aims and ambitions, why the Duopoly has skewed the playing field for digital publishers, and why it is vital that Google and Facebook can be held accountable for a lack of transparency. In the news roundup Chris and Peter discuss the NYT's chief executive Mark Thompson's take on the state of local news, Pinterest taking an editorial role over the elimination of antivax content, and whether Medium's Netflix-like approach to content creation can work. Chris makes wild, unsubstantiated claims about his Tetris skills.

Media Voices: Magnetic CEO Sue Todd on the true value of magazine media to advertisers

This week, magazine marketing agency Magnetic's CEO Sue Todd speaks to us about their newly-launched 'Pay Attention' campaign, aiming to highlight the importance of quality attention to advertisers. She also talks about some of the educational issues around media buyers, the importance of evidence and research, and why she believes magazine media is undervalued. In the news roundup, a chipper team discuss the Cairncross Review report, analyse the idea of a 50% publisher revenue share from Apple's news service, and take a look at whether GQ Hype is indicative of an industry that doesn't know whether it wants to be paid for or free. Katy and Orlando might be engaged; Peter can't even deal.

Media Voices: PinkNews' Head of Platforms Ellen Stewart on the world's largest LGBTQ+ news site

On this week's episode of Media Voices, PinkNews' Head of Platforms Ellen Stewart tells us why Snapchat is a priority for the world's largest LGBTQ+ publisher, why video is a solid investment for a site with a highly engaged audience, and why it pays to be as much a resource as a news source. In the news roundup, the team discusses why Spotify is investing in podcasting as the future of audio revenue, Facebook's Campbell Brown telling publishers they can't rely on the social network to survive, and examine whether other publishers can learn anything from the NYT's latest good results. A flock of seagulls and a puppy guest star.

Media Voices: Digiday editor-in-chief Brian Morrissey on shifting digital publishing economics

On this week's episode of Media Voices, the team brave Snowmageddon to interview Digiday editor-in-chief Brian Morrissey, about publishing economics and sustainability, how B2B is cool, and the value of being really honest about change. In the news roundup the Media Voices team discuss the very sad closure of The Pool, the problems with one-size-fits-all verification tools, and how Hearst has transformed itself into a revenue behemoth.

Media Voices: Film Stories' founder Simon Brew on crowdfunding an independent magazine

On this week's episode of Media Voices, the founder of Film Stories magazine Simon Brew talks the dos and don'ts of a crowdfunding campaign, the potential of independent magazines, and the importance of giving new voices a chance to be heard. In the news roundup Peter, Esther and Chris discuss why Facebook might be folding its messaging apps together, what next for journalism after over 1,000 media jobs were cut Buzzfeed, Gannett and Verizon Media, and examine why Condé Nast is choosing to put all of its magazine titles behind paywalls. The team brainstorms new messaging app names with horrifying results.

Media Voices: Immediate Media Product Director Laura Jenner on the role of product in publishing

This week, Immediate Media's Product Director Laura Jenner talks to us about drawing together the needs of different teams across a publishing business, how the roles and responsibilities of a product manager evolve in such a rapidly changing industry, and why the relationship between product and editorial is so important. She also shares her one piece of advice for other product managers in publishing. In the news roundup Chris and Esther discuss a mixed back of a week for News UK, the storm in a teacup over BBC journalists dropping the phrase 'BBC understands', and yet another Facebook fact-checking endeavour. Is Media Voices hopeful, or cynical? You decide!

Media Voices New Year Special: What does 2019 hold for media?

In this episode Chris and Esther are joined by Damian Radcliffe, Carolyn S. Chambers Professor in Journalism at the University of Oregon, to discuss what lessons from 2018 they want to see applied in the new year. The discussion takes in print, digital, memberships, audio, KFC, Japan, cat gifs, vegan sausage rolls, and much more.

Media Voices: AOP MD Richard Reeves on supporting publishers online

This week, Richard Reeves, the Managing Director of the UK's Association of Online Publishers (AOP) talks to us about the progress on their Ad Quality Charter, what the lack of barrier to entry to publishing online means for premium online publishers, and how Facebook and Google engage with the association's member publishers. He also explains what he made of Jonah Peretti's suggestion for a mega-merger of online publishers. In the news round-up we discuss the future of news on smart speakers, the reported failure to launch of YouTube Red, and give a plug to The Correspondent. Merry Christmas everybody!

Media Voices: WIRED UK Senior Editor Victoria Turk on building out brand extensions

This week, Victoria Turk, Senior Editor at WIRED UK talks to us about all the work they're doing on their brand extensions, from their flagship WIRED Live event to the WIRED World Special 2019 and their weekly podcast. She also discusses what they do to stand out in a crowded market, how the print and digital teams have evolved, and the many skills you now need to get ahead in journalism. In the news roundup we discuss whether the sale of Mic heralds the end of new media hopes, Glamour US going online online, DMGT's latest results, and whether there's any stopping the relentless rise of Stories.

Media Voices: Trint founder Jeff Kofman on why journalists should be entrepreneurs

This week we hear from Jeff Kofman, founder and CEO of Trint, about the dark abyss of transcription, whether Google and Facebook are serious about funding journalism and the good the bad and the ugly of social media. In the news roundup the team discusses a bad week for UK media companies including Johnston Press going into administration, Esquire cutting back its print offering, and Shortlist going digital-only. The team go Thanksgiving mad (not in a good way).

Media Voices: Popbitch co-founder Camilla Wright on creating a niche in the celebrity gossip market

This week we hear from Popbitch co-founder Camilla Wright about the origins of the influential celebrity gossip site, whether celebs ever try to plant stories about themselves, and the romanticism of clandestine meetings in dark pubs. In the news roundup the team discusses the NME's return to profitability and future success, the disappearance of the LADS from Facebook's engagement rankings, and take a quick spin through a lot of other media news. Chris will buy a pint for the first person to send him every Rihanna song title he mentions this episode.

Media Voices: Skift CEO Rafat Ali on paid content and the perils of VC funding

This week we hear from Rafat Ali, co-founder and CEO of boutique travel publisher Skift. We spoke about what connects the dots between paid content, travel, dining and wellness, his belief in trendlines not headlines, his long-term aspirations for Skift vs short-term VC plays and why he wants to be useless to his business. In the news round-up we put a bow on the discussion about Waitrose Magazine’s editor quitting over comments he made to a freelancer, discuss whether Channel 4’s move to Leeds will pop the London media bubble, and discuss whether Facebook is more powerful than the British parliament.

Media Voices: Women's Health editor in chief Claire Sanderson on defying circulation trends

This week, Claire Sanderson, the editor in chief of Women’s Health (UK) talks about the magazine's circulation growth, why they love working with influencers, and how mental health has become such a vital part of overall wellness. She also explains how integrating the print and digital teams helps them to drive audiences between both platforms, and why VR will be a huge part of health and fitness in the future. In the news round-up the team discuss Apple's invention of something called a 'human editor', Twitter's return to profitability and Refinery29's refining of its publishing strategy. A maudlin Chris derails the round-up with a philosophical question.

Flipboard Head of Growth Claus Enevoldsen on growing a platform that works for publishers

This week, Claus Enevoldsen, Head of Growth for news aggregation platform Flipboard, talks about being a technology company with media values, how their human-led algorithms work to surface quality content, and why now is the perfect time for a platform like Flipboard. He also dives into the reasons behind their rise in both users and referral traffic over the past year. In the news roundup, we ask WTF is going on with Facebook and Nick Clegg, Facebook and video metrics, and Craigslist and journalism. The team makes liberal use of censor bleeps.

Media Voices: Foul Play magazine's Grace Harrison on what mainstream titles can learn from indies

This week we hear from Grace Harrison, founder of true crime magazine Foul Play on managing a magazine as a side hustle, what mainstream titles can learn from independents, and what makes Foul Play an altogether classier type of true crime title. In the news roundup we discuss LadBible's imminent takeover of Unilad to create the Ultimate Lad, the sad news that Johnston Press' debt his forcing the sale of its titles, and whether 5 minute long videos can work for Snapchat. Peter voices his fear of extraterrestrials.

Media Voices: Time Out CEO Julio Bruno on growing diverse revenue streams

This week, Julio Bruno, CEO at Time Out Group talks about the brand reaching a milestone 50th birthday, the growth of their different revenue streams, and how they stay true to the Time Out brand across 315 cities. He also explains why the print magazine is still a vital part of the business, and how their unique approach to Time Out Markets is their biggest opportunity next year. In the news roundup we discuss the Battle of the Lads, Meredith cutting 4,500 jobs, and whether the Observer was right to publish an op-ed from the prime minister (yes). Esther and Peter debut their music hall double act.

Media Voices: DC Thomson's Sally Hampton on why magazines have a bright future

This week, Sally Hampton, Consumer Magazines Publisher at DC Thomson spoke to us about how she manages such a wide range of magazines, the biggest shifts she's seen in print publishing, and a surprising new growth opportunity for niche Scottish titles. She also explains why she's so optimistic about the future of magazine media. In the news round-up the team discuss the Independent's paid-for subscription model, whether it matters if print audiences don't follow when newspapers go digital only, Apple foibles, and Comcast's purchase of Sky. Peter's view of the Telegraph's readership is Dickensian.

Media Voices Live: What's the future for free?

In this very special live episode of Media Voices the team discuss the future of free media in front of an audience at Magfest '18, the UK's premiere magazine-focused event. On stage in the far-flung city of Edinburgh, the team are joined on stage by Mike Soutar, chairman of ShortList Media Limited, and Radio Times Editor Mark Frith to discuss the fate of free magazines. We'd like to extend our thanks to Magfest for inviting us to speak - for the three of us it was validation of Media Voices' journey to this point, and hearing from the other fantastic guests has given us plenty of ideas for future episodes! Visit www.magfest.co.uk for more information.

Media Voices: Lucy Kueng on how Silicon Valley has changed journalism

This episode, we hear from Lucy Kueng. She’s one of the go-to names for macro and micro industry analysis, a Visiting Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, and has a ton of other roles in the industry that allow her to see the bigger picture. We spoke about journalism’s perverse relationship with Silicon Valley, whether publications can make it across the Valley of Death, and how external pressures change internal newsroom structure. In the news round-up the Media Voices team discuss the BBC's new show on Facebook Watch, the potential impacts of the Copyright Directive, and gush over Bauer's latest magazine launch. Peter does impressions of a stuffy English gent and Katy Perry.

Media Voices Conversations: Is Advertising More Hassle Than It's Worth?

Digital advertising has never delivered on its potential for publishers. Crowded ecosystems, a break in the value chain between creator and audience, and the prioritisation of direct reader revenue all demand the question ‘is advertising more hassle than it’s worth?’ To answer that question we’ve put together an expert panel of Raoul Monks, co-founder of Flume Training; Fergus Gregory, Group Commercial Director at global marketing-media powerhouse The Drum; and our own host Chris Sutcliffe. The three discuss how consumer-facing advertising has changed over the past decade, how that has impacted the buying and selling of advertising, and whether technology can solve the problems it helped to cause. This Media Voices Special is sponsored by Flume Training. Flume believe the way clients buy has completely shifted and what works in sales has completely changed. They help media businesses drive sales performance through their high impact training, coaching & consultancy.