What is your career background?
The early part of my media career was spent on the advertising side of the business. Like many Publishers, gaining an understanding and building relationships with clients and their advertising agencies has provided a solid foundation. My first role was working on the trade fashion title Drapers Record for EMAP, selling classified space to both small manufacturers and placing recruitment adverts for the larger retailers. I joined NatMag Direct in the summer of 1994 and have spent the last 12 years working in a variety of different departments, including Central Sales and individual magazine brand properties. In June 2004 I took on publishing responsibility for Prima and Prima Baby and in June 2007 Your & Your Wedding and Cosmopolitan Bride also became my responsibility.
What attracted you to NatMag?
The portfolio of household name brands was a major pull for me. In addition NatMag had a reputation for investing and developing its staff and I guess my progress over the last 12 years is a good advert for this corporate ethos. The business has more than doubled since I joined, but the magazine structure has ensured that every member of the team can make a difference. I have to say we also have a first class location!
What does you role involve?
The function Group Publishing Director is more like a General Manager's role. My first responsibility is to protect the brands within my group and ensure their long term success. At the same time I have to deliver both profit growth and a strong circulation performance, this means that I manage the relationship between the key departments that ensure we produce a strong product each month. I am expected to have strong client and agency contacts, as well as an understanding of circulation, manufacturing and "editorial craft". As part of the corporate digital strategy I also now publish http://www.prima.co.uk/, youandyourwedding.co.uk and http://www.babyexpert.co.uk/, which is the official website of Prima Baby.
What is the best thing about working for NatMag
The portfolio of brands within NatMag is more diverse then ever and this keeps ideas fresh and encourages innovation. The rapid digital expansion that is taking place across the business is incredibly exciting and ensures that no two days are ever the same!
