The Publisher Podcast by Media Voices

This week, VICE's Executive Editor Dory Carr-Harris talks to us about the importance of knowing what resonates with your audience, from high-quality astrology content to bringing a food brand to TikTok. She also explains how VICE has been able to adapt to a tough digital landscape where other publishers have stumbled, and why they won't be toning down their 'VICE-ness' for advertisers any time soon. In the news roundup the team asks whether the Atlantic's news app is the second swallow of summer when it comes to news apps, and Chris asks if Netflix and Spotify are aiding news publishers grow subscriptions. Esther celebrates a birthday, Peter desperately needs to go to sleep.

On this week's episode Helen Pearson, chief magazine editor for Nature, tells us about what consumer-focused publications can learn about community from the journal’s focus on supporting scientists, the changing expectations of younger audiences, and the challenge of making research open to all while also supporting the authors and journalists. In the news roundup, the team discusses the UK launch of Netflix 'competitor' BritBox, the surprise return of Smash Hits, and Hearst's latest micro-membership scheme. Peter sings The Spice Girls' greatest hits.

On this week's episode, founder and CEO of Minute Media Asaf Peled takes us through the importance of community to its brands, making well-loved print brands work digitally, and the outlook for digital media more generally. He also discusses the complexities of managing both the tech and media sides of the business, and their acquisition of Peter's favourite brand Mental Floss. In the news roundup the team debates whether Twitter's political ad ban will move the needle on the abuse of political ads online, Future plc's acquisition of TI Media, and ask when an editor is as morally culpable as a columnist (hello Fraser Nelson!). The team engages in some historical revisionism about their past predictions.

This week, Glamour UK's Editor in Chief Deborah Joseph talks to us about steering the brand through its transformation from a print-first to a digital-first brand, from hiring in new talent to changing external perceptions. She also discusses the role of influencers alongside magazine media, why celebrities are still choosing brands like Glamour to launch with, and the Glamour Beauty Festival's upcoming Manchester debut. In the news roundup the team discusses the fallout from Facebook's decision to include Breitbart on its list of 'high quality' publishers on its new News tab, the pending closure of Asos magazine, and yet another news app launch. Chris fights with hotel wifi, loses.

This week, Hearst's head of men's lifestyle and health & fitness Alun Williams treats us to a look inside the Esquire Townhouse, and takes us through the importance of being a market leader, the new skills required at the magazine publisher, and how to resist overextending a brand. In the news roundup the full complement of Esther, Peter and Chris look at two new and very different news app launches, examine the reasons Sky News might have launched a Brexit-free channel, and coolly and unemotionally dissect The Sun's plans to conquer the US of States.

In this week's episode, we talk to Christoph Schmitz, Aller Media's Product Owner for paywalls, login, subscriptions and CRM (and recent interim CTO). He discusses managing technology and transformation across different brands, how Aller Media is taking advantage of willingness to subscribe in Norway, and their collaboration with other publishers for a single sign-on project. He also explains how GDPR has actually helped Aller Media take control of their data. In the news round-up, Chris and Esther tackle the Scousetrap/WAGatha Christie embarrassment for The Sun, as well as Group Nine's acquisition of PopSugar and a rumoured mega-bundle from Apple.

This week, Kate Slesinger, the Publishing Director of luxury titles Vanity Fair and Tatler talks to us about what's behind a rise in print circulation. She also discusses how both brands are kept fresh and up-to-date, managing commercial partnerships, what they do to reach their wealthy audience online, and how the role of Publishing Director has evolved over her time at Condé Nast. In the news round-up, the team do a deep dive into the row between Google and French publishers, and why a 'link tax' isn't the answer. There's lot of news in brief as well, from Aldi chucking print to some unusual media appointments. Chris realises how many mergers and acquisitions you can miss out on during 6 weeks trekking in Nepal.

This week, gal-dem's Head of Editorial Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff talks about the publication's evolution into a fully-fledged and funded publishing business, why they decided to have a print magazine alongside the digital site, and the lessons she will and won't be applying from her time working with other publishers. She also explains why it's so important to have a truly supportive internship scheme, and how publishers need to prepare themselves to properly support diversity in the workplace before bringing people in. In the news round-up, Peter and Esther are joined by International Magazine Centre founder Nikki Simpson. The team discuss Vox Media's acquisition of New York Magazine, how the BBC has found itself in the middle of a racism row with Naga Munchetty, and the launch of Platinum magazine from DC Thomson.

Publishers are in a unique position to take advantage of the rise in podcasting thanks to their storytelling expertise and ready-made audiences. With listener numbers growing and discoverability improving, there has never been a better time for publishers to create something unique. In this podcast, recorded live from PPA Scotland's Magfest, Peter and Esther are joined by DC Thomson's Special Projects Lead Chris Phin. They discuss how magazine publishers are experimenting in the podcasting space to create successful podcasts that support audience development and revenue, and what it takes for publishers to plan and record their own podcasts. Chris Phin announces the launch of a podcast on our podcast...a first for Media Voices!

This week, Tina Lee, Head of the Ambassador Program for Hostwriter, talks to us about 'Unbias the News'; a new book she's editor-in-chief of. She explains how the book brings together the voices and experiences of journalists from all around the world, why it's so important to challenge our own worldviews, and how collaboration across borders can help unbias the news. In the news round-up, Peter and Esther try (and fail) to patch Chris in from India, so are left to themselves to discuss positive changes to Google's search algorithm and Marie Claire's print closure. Peter admires a very salty final cover from the Washington Post's Express newspaper.