Tour of MediaCity
How important is regional diversity in media production? It’s a question close to my own heart for a number of reasons. First of all, I come from Wick – a small town near John O’Groats in the far north Highlands. This brings an extra dimension to the idea of the hyper-local, since we are not only removed from the M25 hub but also the Scottish twin engines of Glasgow and Edinburgh, and even the Highland ‘capital’ of Inverness.
Then there is my former job, as a development manager in Channel 4′s Nations & Regions department (as it was then known) – a team tasked specifically with boosting production in the English regions and the devolved nations.
So it was with great interest that I accepted a commission to write a lengthy feature about the BBC’s much touted move to Salford, dubbed ‘Media City‘. The article was for the magazine of the University of Sunderland, which is among many educators attempting to spearhead a cultural renaissance in the former industrial heartland of the North East.
Hot off the press
I was delighted to receive Tree News hot off the press this spring. This was my first issue as editor of the member magazine for the Tree Council, and I’m really happy with how it’s turned out. There’s in-depth features on topics such as extreme weather, the endangered tree that’s harvested for chemotherapy medicine, cryopreservation and hedgerow habitats.
Back to my roots
This February I got the rare treat of writing about my home town, Wick. Wick is a small seaside town located in the far north of Scotland, a few miles south of John O’Groats.
CMYK Design, publishers of the award-winning Aurora magazine for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, commissioned me to write a travelogue piece picking out places to visit and points of interest.
Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine
Did you know that Scotland is ranked first in the world in stem cell research (by citation impact)? And the University of Edinburgh on its own ranks third? (Source: ScienceWatch)
The highlight of my working week was a preview tour of the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM). This £55m centre brings together some of the world’s leading researchers in stem cell science and regenerative medicine. It’s the first site to open on Scottish Enterprise’s BioQuarter development, which will eventually house innovative life science businesses.
I was there to write about the new SCRM for the University of Edinburgh’s fundraising magazine Edinburgh Friends (published by White Light Media).
Into the woods
Tree News, the member magazine of the Tree Council, brings together news, reports and in-depth features about forestry and woodland across the world. It’s an inspiring and popular read, and I’m delighted to have taken the reins as editor.
M&S sustainability
This is not just sustainability… it’s M&S sustainability. This in-depth feature explores M&S ‘Plan A’ – what the company has committed to do, how it’s progressing against its aims, and why in modern business sustainability is not just a fluffy feel-good factor. Full article appears in the Spring 2011 issue of UK Excellence magazine, published by Think Scotland for the British Quality Foundation.
Strathclyde alumni mag goes digital
As an international technological University, the University of Strathclyde has decided to move with the times. This Spring, the University relaunched its successful alumni magazine in a new digital format. The new magazine features more succinct editorial, a brighter colour palette and some fun interactive touches.
I wrote all of the editorial on behalf of White Light Media, and hats off to Jenny and Adam, who did an amazing job with the design.
You can view the magazine via WLM’s Ceros portfolio here.
Image by White Light Media
Channel 4 booklet nominated for award
Creative Cities, published by White Light Media for Channel 4, has been nominated Best One-Off publication in the IOIC Scotland awards. View the booklet here.
Creative Cities was a labour of love for me during my time as a development manager in Channel 4′s Nations & Regions department. The publication tells the story of Channel 4′s £135m investment in creative content outside of London. Encapsulating projects past (Trainspotting, Brookside) and present (Location, Location, Location, Hollyoaks), in TV and digital, the booklet celebrates Channel 4′s contribution to developing creative talent.
Myself and Stuart Cosgrove painstakingly shaped the editorial, while White Light Media worked tirelessly on the design. There was blood, sweat and tears for both parties, but the end result is a triumph. I think it genuinely raises the bar for corporate communications, so I’m delighted to see that being recognised in an award.
Well done to White Light Media. Looking forward to a good knees-up at the awards in March (where WLM are shortlisted for no less than 7 gongs!).
Image: White Light Media
A marathon for the Scotsman
Just completed another article for the Scotsman, this time for their Sporting Scotland supplement. I was a little concerned when they first asked me to write a sports article, because I’m the most unsporty, uncoordinated person I know. But I was pleased to discover they wanted me to write a piece providing advice for people of all abilities considering running their first marathon.
Personal trainer Roger Alsop kindly agreed to be interviewed for the feature, and I also interviewed the very helpful staff at Run & Become Edinburgh for advice on running gear. The result was a nice upbeat feature that will hopefully help some reluctant (or fearful) first-time runners.
What did I learn in the process? That everyone has a marathon in them (so says Roger). I fear I might be the exception to that rule.
Image: Sean Venn on Flickr under Creative Commons
Connected named best magazine
Connected magazine has won Gold at the CIPR Scotland Pride Awards. It was named Best Magazine against stiff competition in the high-profile industry awards.
Connected is published by White Light Media for Learning and Teaching Scotland, and I write and manage the editorial in each issue. Read it here.
I was working at WLM when the title first launched, and it has always been a useful, vibrant and inspirational reflection of educational innovation.
The magazine is sent out each term to every school in Scotland.
Many congratulations to the White Light team.
Image by White Light Media
