In today’s interview we talk to Grant Scott, the launch editor of and brains behind a new unique magazine for photographers and filmmakers titled Hungry Eye. He tells us about what the title will be covering, how he wants freelancers and PRs to help, and his inspiration for the magazine.
About the publication:
Who are your target audience?
Professional Photographers and filmmakers, the passionate and the inquisitive about both, and those whose work brings them into contact with professional image makers.
What subjects do you cover?
Photography and filmmaking, the blurring of boundaries between the two, and the convergence of image making. We are not a ‘geek’, ‘techy’ or ‘how to’ magazine we are aware of the importance of the created image in the world and how it informs our decision making processes, that’s what interests us. We aim to inspire, entertain, and question.
What makes you different from the other outlets in your sector?
We are the only magazine in the world at the moment that has fully embraced this new landscape of professional image making.
About you and freelance journalists:
Do you pay for contributions from freelance journalists?
Yes
Do you like freelance journalists to get in touch with you directly to pitch ideas?
Only if they understand our magazine and make suggestions in the spirit of what we do and how we do it.
Name the three most important attributes that make a freelance journalist stand out for you and would make you use them again?
Positivity, creativity, and the ability to write!
About PRs:
Do you work closely with PRs (e.g. for supplements, round tables, events) or do you keep them at arm’s length?
We always enjoy working with PRs who understand what we do.
If you could make one change to the way PRs deal with you, what would it be?
I wish more understood the importance of building relationships.
How should a PR approach you about their client?
However they wish as long as it is not aggresively.
What information/input from PRs is most useful to you?
That which is related to what we cover.
About you:
Describe a typical day at work.
There is no such thing!
What interests you most about your job?
Everything, I’ve been in publishing and working with professional photographers for over twenty five years and nothing stays still in either.
Where have you worked previously, and how did you end up in your current position?
I art directed Elle, Tatler and a number of other magazines before I started to work as a consultant creative director for a number of contract publishing companies.
I then took over the editorship of Professional Photographer magazine which led me to becoming the Group Brand Editor of Archant Imaging where I oversaw six different titles. It was whilst working on these titles that the idea of ‘Hungry Eye’ came to fruition. I then approached Lee Mansfield the owner of Park View publishing with the concept and he agreed to publish it.
He also asked me to become the Editorial Director of Park View to help him oversee his other titles and grow his portfolio of magazines.
Do you tweet? Why?
Yes, it’s an essential part of our brand marketing, communication and community.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Never come out of a pub or cinema when it is still light!
What media do you seek out 1st thing in the morning?
Twitter.
If you could time travel what time would you go to?
The sixties.