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.