Interviews

Focus on Newsquest Bucks with Rachel Wakefield

By Licia Houghton

7 Aug 2008

news@responsesource.com

Rachel Wakefield is the deputy group features editor at Newsquest Bucks, Herts and Middlesex.

About the media outlets:

Who reads them and how many of them are there?
Local people read our newspapers. Weekly newspapers include: Bucks Free Press, South Bucks Star, Watford Observer, Watford Free, St Albans Review, Welwyn & Hatfield Review, Ealing Times, Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times, Harrow Times. Monthly magazines distributed free to A/B homes in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and North West London

Which areas/subjects do you cover?
Lifestyles, arts, leisure, property, interiors, jobs, education, motors, weddings, food, books, fashion, gardening, music.

What makes you different from the other newspapers in your region?
Must be doing something right as we outsell the competition.

Are there any supplements, magazines or other regular features?
Christmas, homes and gardens, weddings, education, leisure, motors.

About PRs:

Do you work closely with PRs or do you keep them at arm’s length?
Use them when need to.

Do you have any advice for PRs?
Make articles general.

How should a PR approach you about their client?
Via email.

Do you have a PR pet hate?
Telephone pestering.

When is the best time for PRs to contact you & what is your deadline for contributions?
Fridays.

About you:

What interests you most about your job?
Variety.

What led to you becoming deputy features editor for Newsquest Bucks?
The love of writing.

What was your first job?
Hairdresser.

I’d like to have a go at…
Writing my own novel

If you were stranded on a desert island, what one thing would you hope to have with you?
A pen knife.