Media Masters

David Pemsel is CEO of The Guardian Media Group. In this in-depth interview, now over two years into the job, he discusses his plan to tackle mounting losses and return to profitability - shedding jobs, abandoning the Berliner presses and moving to tabloid; discusses the success of their initiative to encourage readers to become ‘supporters’, which now raises more revenue than print advertising and keeps the site paywall-free; outlines his plans to grow the Guardian’s global presence and build on their existing base of 10 million regular readers; and reveals why despite the onslaught of ‘fake news’ and his frustration with Google and Facebook’s destructive impact on their digital revenue, he is more optimistic than ever about GMG’s future.

Carl Johnson is Founding Partner and global CEO of Anomaly, an award-winning advertising agency with over 600 staff, and offices in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Shanghai. Launched in 2004, their name is a direct response to the “broken” traditional agency model, and the “blurring of the borders” between previously separate disciplines such as advertising, branding, marketing, social media and PR. In this in-depth interview, he pulls back the curtain on some of the most successful global campaigns; argues the industry is facing existential and commercial challenges like never before; warns agencies failing to embrace fundamental change they face ruin; and shares his hope of continued success in spite of the “global uncertainty” caused by Brexit.

Mark Frankel is Social Media Editor at BBC News. In this in-depth interview, he discusses how for millions of people the news is now increasingly broken (and made) on Twitter; the importance the BBC places on accuracy over speed, and the editorial challenges created by each of the various social platforms; how the breaking news alerts are managed technically; how their use of live streaming allows them to engage with audiences in new ways; dealing with trolls, abuse, and the politics of fake news; and gives his thoughts on what’s next for BBC News - arguing social media will ultimately overtake not only broadcast, but the other online platforms too.

Alistair Smith is Editor of The Stage, trade newspaper for the performing arts. In this in-depth interview, he discusses the challenges of moving the world’s oldest theatre publication (founded in 1880) to digital, and embracing the commerical/editorial opportunity; offers an in-depth analysis of the global theatre trade, the ‘less glamorous’ side of show business, and the rapid rise in ticket prices; argues their world is controlled by closed networks and ‘who-you-know,’ how the Stage Debut Awards have created opportunities for new talent, and aspiring performers who don’t have the networks to break through; and reveals his all-time favourite productions - including some current hidden gems.

Louisa Compton is Editor of ‘Victoria Derbyshire’ on BBC2. In this in-depth interview she discusses her long career in BBC Radio, her strong working relationship with Victoria, and their joint move from 5 Live into TV; takes us behind the scenes on the show, creating a unique mix of original stories, exclusive interviews, audience debates, and overlooked regional/world journalism; the emerging importance of social media as a platform in its own right, and how their success is measured on traditional TV viewing figures, but also on impact, iPlayer, and social media metrics; her pride in the show often driving the day’s news agenda, with clips regularly used in major news bulletins; and her joy at her team’s recent BAFTA win.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy is a Presenter on Channel 4 News. In this in-depth interview he argues that there has never been a better time to be a reporter, amidst the global uncertainty of Brexit, Trump and North Korea; expresses disappointment in politicians avoiding giving a straight answer, and the emerging trend to avoid the ‘tough interview’ altogether; speaks candidly about the pressures of war-zone reporting and his joy at fronting the ‘Unreported World’ programme; and in light of the Harvey Weinstein allegations, discusses sexual bullying and harassment in the media.

Rob Stringer is CEO of Sony Music, one of the world's biggest record labels, with offices in 43 countries and $5bn revenue. In this in-depth interview, he reveals how a punk fan from Aylesbury made it to the very top of the global music industry; what it’s really like working with stars like Beyoncé, Adele, and Harry Styles, and how they deal with the darker side of fame; why no one really cares about the charts any more; and how in spite of streaming apps killing traditional record sales, there are still healthy profits to be made.

Lionel Barber is Editor of the Financial Times. In this in-depth interview, he discusses his long career, including covering the end of the Cold War, the first Gulf War and several US presidential campaigns; takes us behind the scenes of his interviews with some of the biggest global leaders, and reveals what Putin is really like in person; recalls his recent visit to the “chaotic” White House, meeting with a “self-conscious” President Trump; argues that Facebook and other “big platforms” have a responsibility to tackle fake news, and suggests strategies to contain its spread; and why politics has become more “divisive”, resulting in Brexit and an “assault” on journalism.

Darren Scott is Editor of Gay Times, the largest, longest-running and most recognised gay magazine in the world. In this in-depth interview, he discusses how he grew the readership to nearly 3 million by making the content less news-driven, building a female audience, and a commercially-driven focus on creating content ‘that will sell’. He explains that while their coverage of ‘serious’ issues such as persecution of LGBT people in Russia is important, he isn’t driven by activism per se ‘because everyone has bills to pay’. He talks through his career, revealing how Smash Hits magazine and a challenge from an ex-boyfriend inspired him to get into journalism, and gives advice to those who want to follow in his path.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown is a journalist, author and activist. In this in-depth interview, she asserts that being a proud “leftie-liberal, anti-racist and feminist” makes her more susceptible to online abuse; questions why a “feisty woman of colour” like herself wasn’t invited to comment on Brexit; and condemns the state of the media industry, arguing that newspapers have “dumbed down” and journalists would “rather write about Beyonce” than hold power to account.

Iain Martin is a columnist for The Times, and Editor of Reaction, a website dedicated to political, economic and cultural analysis. In this in-depth interview, he discusses his journalism career including making Editor of The Scotsman aged thirty, then Editor of Scotland on Sunday, and Deputy Editor of The Sunday Telegraph. He talks through his portfolio career as columnist, blogger, and business owner; says no-one should get too ‘noble’ about journalism as it’s ‘politicians people remember’; argues it’s crucial for the survival of the newspaper industry that Facebook and Google are properly classed as publishers; and maintains that Trump and Brexit have increased public recognition that good quality journalism is essential for a healthy democracy - and should be properly paid for.

Richard Bradley is Editor-in-Chief of Worth, the lifestyle and wealth management magazine for ‘ultra-high-net-worth’ individuals. In this in-depth interview, he reveals what he’s learnt in a career profiling the super-wealthy; the growing culture of large-scale philanthropy in the light of the ‘Giving Pledge’ campaign; how President Trump has vastly fewer fans in the global elite than he claims; their efforts to utilise technology, data insight, and prestigious brand partnerships to retain the print magazine’s profitability - thus sustaining Worth as a global editorial platform, powering their iconic annual ‘Power 100’ list.

Gavin Hewitt is Chief Correspondent at BBC News. In this in-depth interview, he speaks candidly on Brexit and Trump, having observed both first hand as the BBC’s Europe Editor and then embedded in Trump’s campaign; enthuses about moving from reporting to commentating, welcoming a new-found ‘freedom’ to express his personal views; dealing with trolls while fulfilling his ‘obligation’ to engage in online debate; and argues we still haven’t realised the depth to which the technology-driven ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ will change every aspect of our lives.

Justine Roberts is co-founder and CEO of Mumsnet. In this in-depth interview, she reveals how a disastrous family holiday led to her founding a platform which now has 10 million users and 120 million monthly visits; why a funding round scuppered by the dot-com crash gave them the chance to grow ‘something real’ - a genuine grassroots community, built from the ground up; reveals the shocking severity of troll attacks, including the sending of an armed SWAT team to her house; tackles critics claiming that Mumsnet forums are ‘nasty’; and suggests that Trump would be an ideal webchat guest - in spite of community objections.

Anita Jacoby is a veteran journalist, TV and film producer, former Managing Director of ITV Australia, and board member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority. During her 30 year career, Anita has produced some of the country’s most successful news programmes including 'Good Morning Australia' and '60 Minutes', and is the recipient of six awards from the Australian Film Institute. In this in-depth interview, she discusses the current media landscape ‘Down Under’, and her role as regulator; walks through her career to date, talks candidly about gender diversity in the Australian media, condemning its ‘blokey’ culture; and what her new ‘eclectic portfolio career’ actually entails.

Maeve McClenaghan is a reporter at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a London-based, not-for-profit organisation that works to uncover stories in the public interest and hold power to account. In this candid interview, Maeve talks about the thrills and frustrations of working to expose injustice; how attitudes towards journalism differ in the U.S.; the emotional impact of probing wrongdoing; how more journalism can mean less objectivity; and why investigative journalism defies political boundaries.

Jenny Afia is a senior media and privacy lawyer, and Partner at Schillings. In this in-depth interview, she discusses balancing an open society with the individual’s right to privacy; the legal mechanics of dealing with trolls and malicious online harassment; superinjunctions and the general direction of privacy law; explains the need for proactivity and compromise when managing the media; and argues against greater press regulation, despite her “contempt” for the paparazzi and the misery they cause her celebrity clients.

Darcy Antonellis is a well-known Hollywood executive, and CEO of Vubiquity - a global technology company which brings movies and TV to viewers on any device. In this in-depth interview, she discusses the future of the entertainment business and why she thinks virtual reality will transform our lives; shares career lessons learned during senior leadership positions at CBS and Warner Brothers, including pioneering the world’s first anti-piracy solution; praises workplace diversity as ‘just good business’; and argues the best leaders always prefer ambition over acumen.

Stephen Cole is an international broadcast journalist, and Chairman at the Institute of Diplomacy and Business. In this in-depth interview, he recounts his adventures on the launch presenting team of four global channels - Sky News, CNN International, BBC World and Al Jazeera English; reveals why modern TV news ‘bores’ him; claims the Middle East is the ‘only story’ we should be giving attention; argues the BBC should ‘give up pretending to be impartial’; and shares what he learned from four hours one-on-one with Bill Clinton.

Dolly Alderton is a journalist, podcaster, director and former Story Producer for Made in Chelsea. In this in-depth interview, Dolly talks about her portfolio career, and freelancers’ need to have “13 good ideas before breakfast” to succeed; reveals behind the scenes of story producing a BAFTA-winning ‘reality’ series; her infamous dating column and the importance or striking a balance between oversharing online and keeping one’s personal life private; praises paywalls as a method of reducing trolling and ‘protecting’ young female journalists …and why Tatler thinks she’s more important than Nelson Mandela.