10 things I learned from Magfest #6
By, Neil Braidwood, Creative & Publishing Manager, Connect Communications
I have been to every single Magfest. There have only been six of them, but I can’t imagine ever missing one. The quality of speakers over the years has been incredible – this event punches well above its weight – and it’s right here on our doorstep. One conference we don’t need to travel to London for.
I admit it. I am a magaholic. I have a fairly large collection of magazines (a modest 1,000 or so – nothing like the vast Hyman Collection – see below) – so I was thrilled to be a part of this year’s Magfest, getting the chance to share some of my publications with delegates in a hands-on workshop on the day.
Whether you are new to the industry, or an old hand like me, there is always something to take away from Magfest. Here are a few I scribbled in my notepad:
- Small changes can make big savings. Zillah Byng-Thorne of Future PLC standardised paper across all titles and saved £750,000 annually!
- New magazine launch Boom Saloon donates profits from the publication to running creative projects in underprivileged areas.
- James Hyman, owner of the biggest magazine collection in the world, always buys two of everything. That’s why it’s so big!
- If John Brown hadn’t spoken to editor of Viz magazine Chris Donald so much…his life would have been much easier.
- Marbles magazine exists to shine light on mental health issues in the community.
- Diminutive literary magazine Word-o-Mat can be purchased from a vintage Wurlitzer cigarette machine.
- Art director Mark Neil keeps all the versions of covers he has worked on, so that he can show the development of the final cover at events like Magfest.
- Before crime writer Ian Rankin got famous, he wrote for Hi-Fi Review magazine, and as a vinyl junkie, still uses much of the kit he blagged while working there.
- Vice Media branched into making video on the suggestion of film director Spike Jonze. Video and documentaries now define what the organisation does.
- Some of my most unreadable magazines (Raygun, Emigre) caused the most interest at my hands-on session. Go figure.
To find out more, contact Neil on +44(0)131 561 0027, neil@connectmedia.cc