The Publisher Podcast by Media Voices

Media Voices: WIRED Editor-in-Chief Nicholas Thompson on lessons from a year behind a paywall

On this week's episode of Media Voices, WIRED's Editor-in-Chief Nicholas Thompson talks about the brand's positioning as a tech magazine in a digital world, the impact of two huge Facebook features, lessons learned from WIRED's paywall a year on, and what his dream paywall would look like. In the news roundup the team discusses TI Media's sale of NME to a tech platform, Quartz's low-key paywall launch, and the dangers of churnalism come to light as the Daily Star offends Scotland. Esther doubts whether the last item counts as 'news'.

Media Voices: CEO of Associated Media Publishing Julia Raphaely on the mission of magazines

This week Julia Raphaely, CEO of Associated Media Publishing, takes us through how magazines can act as storefronts, the differences between the SA and UK magazine markets, why people are continuing to make time for print products, and the benefits of international collaboration between people who love magazines. In the news roundup the team discusses Byline's 'pivot to print', Disney taking a write-down on its investment in Vice, and belately discuss the Guardian breaking even.

Media Voices: 100th Episode Special

Our 100th episode special was recorded live in front of an audience in London on May 2nd. We were joined by four fantastic guests - EMPIRE’s Editor in Chief Terri White, The Week’s Chief Executive Kerin O’Connor, PinkNews’ Head of Platforms Ellen Stewart, and Bibblio’s founder Mads Holmen - to discuss whether publishers can maintain brand identity in a world of distributed content. Many thanks to Bibblio for helping to organise the event, to our media partner What's New In Publishing, and to the guests who turned out to celebrate with us!

Media Voices: Delayed Gratification co-founder Rob Orchard on the mission of 'slow journalism'

In this week's episode of Media Voices, Rob Orchard - the co-founder and editor of the original slow journalism magazine Delayed Gratification - takes us through the mission of the magazine, why giving news room to breathe is absolutely vital, and why more publishers are jumping on the bandwagon. In the news roundup we celebrate some subscription milestones for the FT and the Guardian, investigate the timings of AppleNews+'s launch and Facebook's mooted premium News tab, and ask if Stylist Group's move into lifestyle and fitness products is a class issue.

Media Voices: Readly MD Ranj Begley on what makes a magazine app a success

In this week's episode of Media Voices, Readly MD Ranj Begley takes us through how the magazine app approaches its publisher partnerships, how reader data informs everything from cover choice to exclusive content, and whether Ready sees Apple News+ as friend, foe, or frenemy. In the news roundup this week, the team discusses the launch of a new news subscription service from Apple, whether Google can or should fix the local news ecosystem, and try to figure out what's happening with The Correspondent's plans to launch an English language news outlet.

Media Voices: Spotify VP of EMEA Marco Bertozzi on Spotify's evolving ad business

This week's guest is Marco Bertozzi, who is the Vice President of EMEA Sales & Multi-Market Global Sales at Spotify. He spoke to us about how Spotify’s ad business has evolved from the early days, why the company believes strongly in the future of podcasting, and what the audience’s relationship is like with advertising in audio. He also explains why they’ve just launched a #Loveads campaign. In the news roundup the team discusses the BBC's latest plans to save local democracy, the NYT's comments about Apple's latest foray into news, and asks if MySpace deleting every upload prior to 2016 is the future of social media. Plus, cupcakes!

Media Voices: BBC Producer Dr Chadden Hunter on using media to raise global awareness

On this week's episode we talk to Dr Chadden Hunter, who is a Director and Producer at the BBC Natural History Unit, and has worked on blockbuster nature programmes like Planet Earth II, Frozen Planet and Wild Arabia. He discusses how he balances the desire to highlight conservation issues with the need to produce an entertaining series, the role new media can play in reaching global audiences, and what it's like working with David Attenborough on the storytelling side. He also tells us why he has hope in the younger generation and their climate change activism. In the news roundup the team discusses the misbehaviour of the press and platforms in the wake of terrorism, why Twitter's podcast indicates its changing priorities, and make predictions about Apple's next moves.

Media Voices: Nikki Simpson on ambitious plans to open an International Magazine Centre in Edinburgh

On this week’s episode of Media Voices, former PPA Scotland business manager Nikki Simpson introduces plans to launch The International Magazine Centre, a hub for publishers to promote magazine innovation and celebrate the industry’s past. In the news round-up, the team decide whether Buzzfeed's print edition is more than a marketing stunt, how serious Zuckerberg's 'pivot to privacy' is, and how Readly has come to claim the 'Spotify of magazines' title. Esther and Chris are outraged at a crass new launch from Bauer.

Media Voices: Trump Inc. Senior Producer Meg Cramer on the opportunities of a political podcast

On this week's episode of Media Voices, Meg Cramer, Senior Producer of Trump Inc., takes us through why a collaborative team took on what might be a coast-to-coast crime scene, why a podcast can ask questions while an article must provide answers, and why great journalism transcends mediums. In the news roundup, the team discuss the BBC and ITV's Netflix competitor Britbox, whether Jeremy Corbyn is Trumpian in his approach to the media, and why Medium and Twitter's partnership could be great for the consumer. The team launches their new feature, Cryptocurrency Conspiracy Corner.

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.