Media Masters

Pamela Wasserstein is CEO of New York Media, whose publications include New York magazine, Vulture, and thecut.com. In this episode, Pamela discusses the practical implications of Trump’s ‘shocking’ position on the media, her transition from a career in corporate law to CEO of a global media brand via the Tribeca Film Festival, and the importance of valuing journalists now more than ever.

David Callaway is CEO of TheStreet, one of America’s leading providers of financial news, with 11 million monthly readers. He was previously Editor-in-Chief of USA Today, modernising and growing the iconic brand to the fifth-largest in the US. In this in-depth interview, he talks candidly on the challenges and opportunities faced in 30 years in journalism; reflects on the risks and opportunities for Wall St under Trump; and ponders on the dangers facing the free press, with an increasingly hostile White House, and a journalists around the world facing mortal danger as never before.

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.

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.