Mike Davies is a freelance journalist writing specialising in music and film. He also edits children’s magazine Primary Times Midlands.
This week, FeaturesExec caught up with Mike to discuss his work, his most memorable writing, how he likes to work with PRs and what he’d do with £1,000.
About your journalism:
What do you write about?
Primarily music and film, but have turned my hand to wide variety of things.
Where are we likely to see your work?
Netrhythms.com, birmingham101.com, roots-and-branches.com. Primary Times Midlands.
What’s the most memorable work you’ve done?
1½ hour one-to-one with Joni Mitchell. And Leonard Cohen describing the shishkebab of the heart!
What interview or feature would you love the chance to do?
An in depth with Tom Cruise or Sigourney Weaver. A feature on how I’m making the best of having won several million pounds and needing to readjust my lifestyle.
About you and PRs:
Where do you source ideas for articles?
Online web sites relevant to the material, press releases.
How can PRs be useful to you?
Sending relevant info in advance, following up requests for extra information, supplying generics.
How and when do you like them to get in touch?
Anytime, by e mail.
Do you find press conferences, trips, parties and other events useful or an interruption?
Press junkets can be useful, facility trips too…can’t really be bothered with parties!
If you could make one change to the way PRs deal with you, what would it be?
Having them aware of the sort of things I actually do rather than throwing everything to see what sticks.
About you:
How would you pay the bills if you weren’t a journalist?
Funny you should ask…I have a teaching qualification I could use. Used to do PR. Or I could hang around supermarkets with copies of the Big Issue.
If we gave you £1000, how would you spend it?
Paying the bills. Though a nice new PC wouldn’t go amiss.
What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you?
It can only get better.
What books are on your bedside table, magazines in your bag, or blogs on your screen?
Not really into blog culture…Mags? Uncut, Total Film, Sight & Sound. Books….currently Rupert Everett’s autobiography I picked up for £1 and various kids’ novels I’m reading as part of my editing job with Primary Times.
[img|jpg|Mike Davies]
[lnk|http://www.journalistdirectory.com/journalist/XiLTz/mike-davies|_blank|Mike Davies]