Media Masters

Caroline Norbury MBE is founding CEO of Creative England, whose purpose is to 'accelerate talent and ideas’ across the media industry. Funded by both public and private investment, the not-for-profit company emerged in 2011 after the government closed the UK Film Council; and so far has invested £40m to secure over 1,000 jobs - largely outside of London - across gaming, film, digital, and production services. In this in-depth interview, Caroline contends that Britain’s creative sector is at risk if we don’t embrace diversity, and passionately argues for supporting creatives who live outside London – because, "talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t."

Kurt Barling is Professor of Journalism at Middlesex University. In this in-depth interview, he reveals how observing first-hand the brutal Broadwater Farm Riots inspired him to follow a career in journalism. As well as winning many major awards for his reporting, Kurt has written a number of books, including "The 'R' Word: Racism"; and in over 25 years as a leading BBC broadcaster, has made dozens of primetime documentaries, reported undercover from multiple war zones, and been threatened with an AK-47 held to his head.

William Watkin is Professor of Contemporary Philosophy and Literature at Brunel University. In this in-depth interview, he discusses the emergence of ‘fake news’ and so-called ‘factobesity’; argues press complicity led to Brexit and Trump; and dissects the mechanics - and consequences - of post-truth media.

Michael Wilson is a journalist, broadcaster, and British TV's longest-serving Business and Economics Editor. In this in depth interview, he reveals how 'a boy from Scarborough' went on to transform TV news; takes us through his 20 years at Sky and how he brought 1.5 million viewers to GMTV; gives the inside look on Fleet Street’s golden age; and defends business itself - as the 'driving force that keeps our country going'.

Eleanor Mills is Editorial Director at The Sunday Times, and Chair of Women in Journalism. In this in-depth interview, she discusses her career-defining campaigns on FGM and ‘Generation Porn’; takes on the ‘stale pale male’ media, challenging both men and women to level the imbalance; and talks through her landmark ‘trousergate’ interview with PM Theresa May.

Michael Hodges is Editor-at-Large for the Radio Times; and former Executive Editor at Time Out, known for his ‘Slice of Life’ column - an irreverent take on day-to-day London life, often from (or nearby) a pub. In this in-depth interview, he shares his adventures as an iconic London columnist; divulges what he’s learned from interviewing the biggest names in entertainment; and conveys his experience of taking a ‘lads mag’ into a war zone.

Mark Gallagher is one of the UK’s most well known and respected lobbyists, prominent Brexiteer, and former Director of Public Affairs at ITN. He founded Pagefield in 2010 as a result of ‘boredom’ and a love of what he calls 'running towards the gunfire’. As Senior Partner, he has built an award-winning agency, with clients including Camelot, 21st Century Fox and John Lewis. In this in-depth interview, he reveals why old media brands are ‘not to be underestimated’ despite the move to digital, and makes the case that corporates are unfairly held to a much higher standard than NGOs and charities.

Tess Alps is Chair of ThinkBox, the marketing body for commercial TV in the UK. In this frank interview, the self-described ‘wise old bird’ discusses her zero-tolerance for critics who claim TV is dying; argues successful engagement with digital presents strong opportunities; advocates ‘likeability’ as the most effective measure of success instead of relying on so-called ‘objective’ metrics; and sympathises with those who fast forward through the ad breaks...because she does too.

Robert Safian is the Editor of Fast Company. In this in-depth interview, he reveals the strong sense of purpose behind the business and how this infuses their reporting; discusses how to stay flexible in a fast changing environment; explains why metrics are sometimes overrated; debates the difficulties of monetising an audience, and the struggle to make money in media; and waxes lyrical on the importance of company culture.

Zillah Byng-Thorne is the CEO of Future plc, publisher of many best-selling magazines and media brands. In this in-depth interview, she walks through her career from accountant to media CEO; explains how a relentless focus on profit put the company back in the black from a £35m loss, searching for new revenue streams and fighting back against adblockers; and shares her ideas to get more senior women in the media.

Perez Hilton is an American entertainer and popular blogger, founder of the eponymous celebrity gossip site. In this in-depth interview, he explains what has made "Hollywood’s Most Hated Website" a success, outlasting many others; divulges the frustrations of his job and the pressures and intrusion of social media; reveals a ‘ton of regrets’ over historic celebrity feuds; shares his thoughts on Castro’s death after his inaccurate announcement in 2007, and why he isn’t optimistic about the future for Cuba; gives advice to the younger generation of bloggers, and discusses his commitment to sheer hard work as the only route to success.

Steve Crabtree is Editor of BBC Horizon, the world's longest-running science documentary. In this in-depth interview, he discusses his 'humble origins' as a self-described ‘local lad’ from Barrow-in-Furness. After dropping out of school with no qualifications, he worked at the shipyards painting nuclear submarines, reading comic books and playing in a local band - but determined to succeed in media, he took a creative arts degree and moved to London. Now Editor of the very programme from which he was initially rejected, he discusses how the programmes are made, the challenge of making science accessible to the public yet maintaining ‘journalistic rigour;' and reveals how the current BBC restructuring will affect the show’s future.

Jim Impoco is the Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek. In this in-depth interview, he talks through the recent resurrection of the iconic brand, and the 'exciting opportunity' it presents to reinvigorate long-form journalism; argues for still further editorial risk-taking and innovation to tackle 'post-truth' social media; describes the current newsroom operation and the process of creating the ideal Newsweek cover story; and recalls the now-infamous 'Madam President' double cover furore - an ironic end to the ‘bitter and toxic’ 2016 Presidential debate, which instead saw a win for her opponent.

Alan Murray is the Chief Content Officer at Time Inc, responsible for its journalism across the whole company - 7,200 employees, 150 million readers, and 100 global media brands including People, TIME, Sports Illustrated, and Entertainment Weekly. He is also Editor in Chief of Fortune. In this in-depth interview, he discusses his new role - the opportunities and challenges for legacy brands embracing digital; connecting with emerging talent and trends; interacting with 80,000 readers on his daily personal e-newsletter; and shares what he learned at two decades at the Wall Street Journal, including the ‘sacred’ relationship with the reader, and the overwhelming importance of truth; how 9/11 forced a career change, and why the Monica Lewinsky scandal nearly made him leave journalism forever; and why all ambitious fledgling journalists should learn... to code.

Henry Blodget is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Business Insider. In this in-depth interview, he explains how he created one of the most successful business publications in the world, from the jaws of ‘humiliating’ defeat - taking the site to 100 million readers, 300 employees, and a $343m sale. The self-confessed ‘news addict' argues we're in the ‘golden age’ of journalism; welcomes Facebook as a generator of traffic and not as competitor; shares an innovative idea to fund struggling local newspapers; and talks practical techniques to encourage clicks - but without crossing into 'brand destroying' clickbait.

Cristina Nicolotti Squires is Editor of Channel 5 News. In this in-depth interview, she makes the case that TV news is here to stay amidst social media and smartphones; talks industry sexism and lack of diversity and questions the strength of the glass ceiling; discusses the importance of humanising tragic news, including her reaction to breaking MP Jo Cox’s murder live on air; argues that journalism is now more dangerous than ever in the face of extremist groups; reflects on the best and worst moments of her career so far, and reveals what’s top of her to-do list for her new job at Sky News, as Director of Content.

Bill Taylor is a business journalist, bestselling author, columnist, and media entrepreneur. In this in-depth interview, he shares his story of leaving his job as Editor of Harvard Business Review to co-found 'Fast Company' magazine; starting in borrowed office space, but soon gaining countless awards, a passionate global following - and sold just six years later for $340 million. An adjunct professor at Babson College, America's top-rated school for entrepreneurship, Bill writes regularly for Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, and The Guardian. His latest book "Simply Brilliant" describes "how great organisations do ordinary things in extraordinary ways".

John Hardie is Chief Executive of ITN. In this in-depth interview, he talks through his career and how he ended up in television news, despite a 14-year ‘detour’ at Proctor and Gamble and Disney; reveals how he turned ITN around despite a challenging start with a 'black hole' in its pension fund; discusses the future of journalism and ITN's role in it; strongly supports News at Ten's revamped style, arguing its anchors are right to mix commentary with their reporting; and shares his worry that rising extremism is threatening journalism.

Stig Abell is Editor of the Times Literary Supplement, and former Managing Editor of The Sun. In this in-depth interview, he reveals behind the scenes at his LBC show; argues that low wages and internships are making journalism a ‘parasitic medium’; discusses his love/hate relationship with social media and death threats he’s received; recounts his time at The Sun, his fondness for its ‘mix of high and low culture’, and empathises with its Hillsborough critics; welcomes how new technology is challenging ‘cocky’ newspapers; and outlines his ambitious plans for the TLS.

Veteran BBC broadcaster Rhod Sharp hosts 5 Live’s ‘Up All Night’ - described by the Washington Post as ‘arguably the best night-time show in the world’. In this in-depth interview, he argues media 'balance' is letting Donald Trump off the hook; reveals the secrets of the show’s production, including broadcasting from his Massachusetts home and uniquely intimate relationship with 1m listeners; discusses his commitment to the US and recent American citizenship; shares his best and worst day at work so far, and offers advice to ambitious journalists beginning their career.