In this edition you will find:
Sky News’ premier business show, Business Live with Ian King, has returned to our screens after its summer break. It’s moved out of its studio in The City and into Sky’s main headquarters in Osterley. MHP’s Matthew Taylor spoke to output producer Martin Kimber about the kinds of stories that catch the team’s attention.
As Business Live returns to its normal schedule, how can businesses best support the programme?
By aligning their content with our editorial priorities. It’s essential to watch our output and check our website to understand our interests. Knowing what is driving Sky News and providing timely pitches that reflect the current news agenda is key to supporting the programme effectively.
What type of core news does the show focus on?
We concentrate on financial results and trading updates, which are our bread and butter. Additionally, we cover mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and funding rounds. Occasionally, we also feature a ‘CEO in town’ interview, which doesn’t necessarily require a strong news hook. With regards to IPOs, we’re especially interested in British companies listing in the US, given this trend has continued over the last few years.
Are there any key themes or sectors you prefer to cover?
We’re keeping an eye on interest rate cuts by central banks, particularly in the US, and AI, despite it being over-publicised. Essentially, if it is being written about in the business pages of the newspapers or covered by the likes of CNBC, we will look at it.
Could you offer any advice on how to effectively pitch to Sky News?
Make your pitch easy to understand and ensure it contains all the necessary information. Pitches should be concise and clear – an elevator pitch of 20 words or less is ideal. We’re looking for exclusivity, particularly for data-driven stories that might not ordinarily get covered. Avoid pitching topics that Ian is less interested in, such as work-from-home stories. Pure diversity, sustainability, cybersecurity, and AI stories are areas we’re cautious about due to oversaturation.
By Lexi Iles, former Channel 5 News Producer
Tortoise Media confirmed last week that it was in talks with the Guardian Media Group to buy The Observer, the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper.
But what does this mean for businesses? In the past Tortoise has been open to collaborations with clients for their ‘ThinkIn’ events, if this deal goes ahead we might see opportunities for businesses and brands to work more closely with The Observer.
Tortoise has said it is committed to keeping The Observer a Sunday paper and will work to build the digital version. Their weekly business profiles could become a strong target for clients with the added benefit of an improved digital version being pushed out.
With a commitment to invest £25 million over the next five years in the editorial and commercial renewal of the title, it looks like The Observer will be given the opportunity to finally step out of The Guardian’s shadow after more than 20 years.
Tortoise Media was set up in 2019 and distinguishes itself from competitors for its ‘slow news approach’.
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By Hugo Harris, Senior Account Manager
‘Move with the times’, they say. Last week though, the final edition of the London Evening Standard was printed, leading to ample doses of sadness and nostalgia from Fleet Street.
This is not The End as such. The newspaper will undergo a rebrand, to be called The London Standard, and from Thursday be published weekly.
The demise of the Evening Standard, most significantly, leaves a gap for how business and finance is covered in London. It has long been a staple fixture for CEOs to speak to market reporters on the morning of their company’s results, and it will be interesting to see if they’ll still provide a considered view on the numbers after the Standard’s transition to a mostly online model.
Already you can see the landscape shifting in response to the Standard’s latest incarnation, with City A.M. agreeing to take up the physical distribution slots it seemingly had by every tube station.
For now however the mood is reflective. Farewell the Evening Standard – we might never read the likes of you again.
Why does Sue Gray’s salary matter to the BBC?
By Ian Kirby, former political editor of the News of the World
The BBC led the political agenda with its revelation that the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, had been awarded a higher salary than her boss, Keir Starmer.
Interestingly, the BBC’s Political Editor Chris Mason who broke the story, also penned an article justifying it: “Why finding out about Sue Gray’s salary really matters”.
This seemed an oddly defensive thing to do – justifying your own scoop.
It’s part of subtle shift in the BBC’s policy towards political reporting and wider newsgathering as it increasingly prioritises its digital channels.
First it helps the BBC defend itself against accusations of bias. Being more proactive – using its news platform to explain why a story matters rather than relying on its press office to respond after a story kicks up a stink.
Second it builds on the success of Newscast, which led to the political podcast explosion. Now the BBC is seeking to use this “behind the scenes” content across more BBC channels. This is in the process of evolving – adding more reportage, features and exclusives as it seeks to take on commercial news sites.
By James Rollinson, Director Earned Media
The future of work has dominated media discussion over the past four years, with thousands of organisations adapting to hybrid models of working in the post-Covid world. This has meant consumer and business attitudes to the world of work has been a rich territory for brands, although these days could be numbered according to Irina Engel, a contributor to Bloomberg’s workplace trends newsletter, Work Shift.
Stories which simply conclude that working patterns aren’t what they to be are no longer enough, Irina told MHP in a recent conversation. She is keen to for data that shows the macroeconomic impact of the new normal, such as the redistribution of jobs or the impact on wage growth. Comparisons between major cities and industries would also be of interest.
Finally, she wants to hear from c-suite leaders with views on the UK labour market, inflation and housing, as well as the Budget, although the earlier those pitches are sent, the better.
By Abigail Smith, Account Director
Tom Hunt starts as editor-in-chief of the Express and Sunday Express this week, as Gary Jones steps down after six years at the helm. Hunt is the former online editorial director.
Nick Clark is appointed head of culture at the rebranded London Standard, while senior features writer and editor, Katie Strick, moves to Australia. Her new role is yet to be announced.
Jim Waterson has left his role as Media Editor at the Guardian to launch London Centric, a newsletter that will charge readers £79.50 a year for its reporting on the capital.
Media Network nugget of the week comes from Oliver Shah at the Sunday Times in his brilliant commentary on the future of the UK media.
“I calculated on the back of a fag packet a few years ago that it took five hours of browsing for Mail Online to generate £1 of advertising revenue.”
The media kaleidoscope has been shaken. Quality digital news will win
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