Susan: Welcome to Carswell Gould, so, how long have you been a journalist?
Steve: I started out in the autumn of 2005, not long after I finished at Bournemouth University, where I studied Multimedia Journalism. I had the fortune that a job came up at the Hampshire Chronicle in Winchester, the town where I grew up and went to school and college. I joined the Chronicle as a junior reporter and it was there that I completed my training, qualifying as a senior reporter at the first attempt and being the first reporter there to be trained in video journalism. In May 2008 I joined the Daily Echo in Bournemouth, where I continued with video and primarily covered the Purbeck patch, as well as Poole and Bournemouth. After 18 months of a long commute and having gained a lot more experience, I decided I wanted to work back in Hampshire, as well as broaden my horizons in the wider world of the media, which is when I joined Carswell Gould.
Susan: I suppose you have good contacts with the local and national papers?
Steve: Absolutely. When it comes to papers in Hampshire and Dorset, I personally know many of the journalists, which will pay dividends when trying to get our clients' news into the papers and online. When it comes to video, I know what these guys want and will be able to give it to them on a plate. When it comes to national media, I have experience of working with local news agencies, which are the key way to sell stories into the nationals. Thanks to my experience as a reporter, I am quick to foster new contacts as well.
Susan: You've made the switch from the press to marketing communications - where do you see the industry going in the future?
Steve: During my time as a reporter, I noticed more and more that the agencies that I was coming into contact with were offering a full service, so, when I decided I wanted to broaden my media horizons and experience life on the other side of the fence, that was where I looked.
I think, increasingly, clients are going to look more at integrated agencies that offer every angle of marcomms as they streamline their operations. If they know they can get a full service in one place then that will really appeal to them.
The fact that I could help add to that idea at Carswell Gould was very exciting and I'm really looking forward to getting out and about with a camera so that we can offer video to go along with everything else we do.
Susan: Do you find that your video skills are more and more helpful as the world becomes more visual?
Steve: Yes, definitely. Being in print just isn't enough these days. The internet means people expect to see things in motion, not just in words and pictures. Video really helps to bring something alive in a way that still images can't and can grab attention much more effectively. As well as this, the younger generation are growing up wanting their news in an immediate form and falling newspaper sales show that they are heading to the internet for it. Now that I've joined CG, we can send out videos alongside press releases and pictures, giving our clients that extra option and, hopefully, more coverage as a result.
Susan: And finally, the question that everyone's asking at the moment: what biscuits do you like?
Steve: Unlike a certain Mr Brown, I have no problem in answering that controversial question. I like most biscuits to be quite honest, but if I had to choose a favourite, it would be Fox's Chocolate Crinkles. Or maybe a nice Bourbon, oh, and I like Jam Rings too, actually, this isn't as easy as you would think, is it? Sorry Gordon.
Interested in what CG's upcoming video service could do for your organisation? Click here to contact us.
If you would like to discuss how Carswell Gould could help, our team of experts are keen to chat. Fill in your details below and we'll be in touch shortly.
