Author: Gareth Jones

Pilot TV, which goes on sale on April 5, is the companion to a new TV world, where on-demand providers and platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Sky, NOW TV, Virgin TV and Apple have driven a dramatic increase in the production of high-quality shows.

It has been created by Empire Editor-in-Chief Terri White and the magazine team, along with additional expertise from heat magazine’s Entertainment Director Boyd Hilton.

The magazine has three main sections: The Watchlist, (featuring the shows you should be excited about now), Features (an in-depth look at the stories and talent behind great new and classic TV) and The Box (a deep dive into the archive of classic shows available to watch).

A raft of big-name writers have contributed to the first issue, including Guardian columnist Julia Raeside, novelist and screenwriter David Whitehouse, novelist and scriptwriter Jason Arnopp and broadsheet writers and broadcasters Jude Rogers and Michael Hogan.

The issue also features a series of exclusive first-look pictures and stories including: Hugh Grant’s only interview for BBC drama A Very English Scandal; an in-depth Q&A with Michael C Hall; a first look at the new Alan Partridge; Antonio Banderas on his starring role in new show, Genius: Picasso; Noel Clarke’s very first interview for upcoming Sky One show Bulletproof; an on-set report from season two of Westworld and a huge cover story with the cast and creators of Netflix hit Luke Cage.

Commenting on the launch, Editor-in-Chief Terri White said: “Pilot TV is the first magazine of its kind, anywhere in the world: a magazine dedicated to the life-consuming world of cinematic TV. Even fifteen years ago – with the existence of The Wire, The West Wing and The Sopranos – it seemed unthinkable that one day we would have quite so many ways to watch so many great shows! In truth, it can be overwhelming – and that’s where we come in.

“Pilot TV will tell you what’s worth watching, why and – crucially – in what order, while bringing you intimate access to the men and women who make the shows that will change your life. For, this is not just telly. These are shows with the budget, scale, scope, production values, filmmaking talent and storytelling chops only previously found on the big screen. It’s a whole new world – and you’re not going to want to navigate it without us.”

Patrick Horton, Managing Director of Bauer Media’s Entertainment portfolio, added: “The opportunity to launch a new magazine with such a talented and knowledgeable team was too good to pass up. Taking the incredible values of Empire – its access, depth and passion – and applying it to this vibrant, creative space has resulted in something truly special. We can’t wait to get it in the hands of entertainment fans who will appreciate this rich celebration of the TV they love.”

The first issue of the magazine will go on sale on April 5 priced at £4.99 with 132 pages, with the intention of publishing more frequently from September.

Chris Knowles, Managing Director of BCQ Group, gave the residents a tour of the printing facilities, including the pre-press department, print floor and production offices.

He explained the processes – from litho and offset litho, to digital, and creating the final product.

The residents commented on the impressive working conditions, with one adding that “it makes you want to go back to work”.

They were also introduced to two apprentices, Jack Carter (pictured left) and Aaron Toombs, who shared what their day-to-day activities involve.

Knowles added: “It was great to see the retired printers alongside our young apprentices. Our staff also enjoyed hearing about the Beaverbrook House residents’ own memories from their careers in print. We look forward to meeting them again soon.”

Since 1827, The Printing Charity has been supporting people of all ages working in printing, paper, packaging and publishing. Its aims include promoting independence, protecting dignity and furthering education.

One of the retired printers commented after the visit: “To speak to the apprentices and staff about the print trade and exchange experiences that still link an older generation to the latest generation was very uplifting – a good day all-round.”

Beaverbrook House is one of The Printing Charity’s two sheltered homes for people who have retired from the printing industry.

A multi-award-winning Designer, Usher began his career at British Vogue under Creative Director Robin Derrick, before becoming Art Director at ARENA, Harper’s Bazaar and later Creative Director at Marie Claire.

Most recently, he held the position of Digital Creative Director at media agency PMK•BNC.

Johnstone has worked in the media industry for nearly 20 years, with experience in both newspapers and magazines.

He commented, “As My Weekly Editor, I am looking forward to leading this much-loved brand forward. Although this is a challenging time for print media, it is also one of great opportunity.

“It’s my aim to enable our talented team to be proactive in looking for new, exciting ways of continuing to give our readers a wonderful magazine, packed with all the great content they have come to expect over the years.”

Johnstone takes over the role from Sally Hampton, who is now Consumer Magazines Publisher for DC Thomson Media, with overall responsibility for My Weekly, The Scots Magazine, No.1 and Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes, as well as new product development within the Consumer Magazine sector.

“After 12 years at the helm of My Weekly, I’m delighted to hand over to another magazine enthusiast. With tons of ambition and fresh ideas and a talented team behind him, I’m sure Stuart will take My Weekly from strength to strength,” Hampton added.

The latest ABC release shows the sale of My Weekly reaching nearly 100,000 copies every week. The magazine, which was first published in 1910, contains celebrity interviews, cookery features, contemporary fiction and advice from expert columnists.

My Weekly is on sale every Tuesday.

Taking place on April 28 at London’s Glaziers Hall, Esquire Self-Made will bring together inspiring leaders from a range of high-profile start-ups, businesses and professions for a day of empowering keynote talks, panel discussions and unmissable networking opportunities.

The themes will span every facet of launching a business – from identifying an idea, sourcing funding and building a brand, through to which attributes are most necessary for success in 2018.

Alex Bilmes, Editor-in-Chief of Esquire, commented: “The Esquire reader is intelligent, discerning and fully invested in their future. There has never been a better time to launch an event of this type, which taps into the zeitgeist of taking control of your career and making things happen.

“This one-day event will provide a fully immersive experience, connecting our readers with some of the very best entrepreneurial and business talent in the country, alongside our writers and brands we know they care about.”

Speakers already confirmed include Actor, Producer and Director Noel Clarke; Founder of SBTV Jamal Edwards; Founder of Orlebar Brown Adam Brown; and Co-founder of The Modern House Albert Hill.

Victoria Archbold, Managing Director of Events and Sponsorship at Hearst LIVE, added: “Our events business continues to go from strength-to-strength and we’re delighted to continue nurturing up-and-coming talent in the areas where we’ve got expertise by launching Esquire Self-Made.

“The summit will provide the perfect platform to bring together Esquire’s successful and ambitious audience with some of the most exciting names in business. It is a direct response to current consumer market trends, providing valuable opportunity for commercial partners to fully integrate within the programme.”

Mercedes-Benz X-Class has been confirmed as associate partner. Other brands integrated into the event are Cornerstone Shaving, Hawksmoor and Watch Aneesh.

GQ Food & Drink Awards

A panel of expert judges will decide on the winners, who will be revealed at an awards ceremony presented by Veuve Clicquot at the end of April. The shortlist for the GQ Food & Drinks Awards 2018 is as follows:

Best Restaurant
Westerns Laundry (London)
Core by Clare Smyth (London)
Native (London)
The Barbary (London)
The Spanish Butcher (Glasgow)

Best Bar in partnership with Belvedere Vodka
Black Rock/The Devil’s Darling (London)
Swift (London)
Mint Gun Club (London)
The American Bar (Perthshire)
Punch Room (London)

Best Sommelier
Patrick Frawley at Restaurant Story (London)
Christopher Lecoufle at Les 110 De Taillevent (London)
Sonal Clare at Purnell’s (Birmingham)
Arnaud Goubet at Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons (Oxfordshire)
Alastair England at Zuma Group

Best Chef
Andrew Wong at A Wong (London)
Anne-Sophie Pic at La Dame De Pic (London)
Tom Sellers at Restaurant Story (London)
Paul Ainsworth at No6 (Padstow)
Mitsuhiro Araki at The Araki (London)

Best Restaurateur
Ben Chapman of Smoking Goat (London)
Karam, Sunaina and Jyotin Sethi of JKS Restaurants
Jeremy Roberts of Living Ventures
Zoë and Leo Paskin of The Palomar (London)
Tom Kerridge

Best Hotel
Lympstone Manor (Exmouth)
Nobu (London)
The Ned (London)
The Mandrake (London)
Dakota (Leeds)

Best Interior
Ichibuns (London)
Sketch (London)
Nine Lives (London)
Isabel (London)
Bob Bob Ricard (London)

Best Front of House
David Galetti at Mere (London)
Joe Paulinski at Restaurant Story (London)
Ed Thaw at Ellory (London)
Sandia Chang at Bubbledogs (London)
Daniel Crump at The Oxford Blue (Berkshire)

Best Overall Experience
Carousel (London)
Swingers (London)
L’Enclume (Cumbria)
The Man Behind the Curtain (Leeds)
The Woodspeen (Berkshire)

Best Breakthrough
Ceremony (London)
The Frog (London) Smoke & Salt, Pop Brixton (London)
Moor Hall (Lancashire)
108 Garage (London)

Best Pub
The Duck Inn (Norfolk)
The Oxford Blue (Berkshire)
The Hunworth Bell (Norfolk)
The King’s Arms (Oxfordshire)
The Fuzzy Duck (Warwickshire)

Veuve Clicquot Innovator Award
Untitled (London)
Cook for Syria (London)
Dan Barber at wastED (London)
Ikoyi (Londno)
Soho House Group

Lifetime Achievement
No shortlist – winner announced on the night

Dylan Jones, Editor of British GQ, commented, “The GQ Food & Drinks Awards recognise Britain’s position at the forefront of culinary excellence, whether for innovation, creativity, service, the finest ingredients or a winning environment. We celebrate the high end, the informal, the interesting and the memorable.

“In its fourth year, the Awards represent the views of our sophisticated audience, whose votes comprise the shortlist we’ve announced today. We’re thrilled to present these Awards with Veuve Clicquot, who have been involved in this initiative since its inception, and who are masters at the art of entertaining. Our crack judging panel now begin their deliberations, and we look forward to celebrating the winners next month.”

The judging panel is comprised of Dylan Jones, Richard Corrigan, Ryan Chetiyawardana, Nieves Barragain Mohacho, Mark Hix, Bertrand Steip, Oliver Peyton, Tara Bernerd and Matt Hobbs.

Bertrand Steip, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy UK, added, “Veuve Clicquot is proud to be part of the GQ Food and Drink Awards, celebrating those making a difference to the hospitality industry in the UK. Recognising everyone from sommeliers, mixologists and chefs to those running front of house, the Awards truly encapsulate the talent behind such a thriving industry.

"We also look forward to announcing The Veuve Clicquot Innovator Award, a shortlist who are all breaking through the industry with innovation and audacious creativity.”

Winners will be announced on April 23 at an awards celebration at The Rosewood Ballroom, co-hosted by Veuve Clicquot. Results will appear in the June issue of GQ.

As part of the new direction, several digital services are launching and NME’s free weekly print magazine will cease publication. This week’s issue of the magazine, out on Friday, will be the final issue.

Paul Cheal, Time Inc. UK Group Managing Director of Music, commented: “NME is one of the most iconic brands in British media and our move to free print has helped to propel the brand to its biggest ever audience on NME.com. The print reinvention has helped us to attract a range of cover stars that the previous paid-for magazine could only have dreamed of.

“At the same time, we have also faced increasing production costs and a very tough print advertising market. Unfortunately, we have now reached a point where the free weekly magazine is no longer financially viable. It is in the digital space where effort and investment will focus to secure a strong future for this famous brand.”

Since launching 21 years ago, the award-winning NME.com has established a leading position in the music space and now attracts more than three million unique UK users and more than 13 million unique global users each month. On social media, NME’s reach is more than 200 million each month.

As part of NME’s digital expansion, it is launching a number of new services. NME Audio, comprising two new music channels – NME 1 and NME 2 – is available on Regional DAB, the TuneIn App and on NME.com.

NME 1 will champion new talent on NME’s radar and NME 2 will feature a range of artists and NME classics.

In addition, a new weekly franchise, The Big Read, will launch on NME.com, replacing the weekly cover star interview. This in-depth feature will also be the lead item in a weekly curation of NME.com’s biggest stories available in the App Store.

Keith Walker, Digital Director of NME, added: “NME has been at the digital forefront for more than two decades. Our global digital audience has almost doubled over the past two years. With these new developments, we are giving consumers even more of what they want from us. By making the digital platforms our core focus, we can accelerate the amazing growth we’ve seen and reach more people than ever before on the devices they’re most naturally using.”

Additional digital developments for NME include enhancements to its ticketing service and membership offering, as well as to its platform for supporting new talent, NME Emerging, through a partnership with fan and artist marketplace PledgeMusic.

NME will continue to publish special issues in print, including its new paid-for series NME Gold. The second in the series, featuring Paul Weller, is available to buy now. Further issues of NME Gold are planned for 2018.

NME will also be exploring other opportunities to bring its best music journalism to the print market.

This restructure began in September 2017 and is acting to support the global alignment of the media company.

Dengler will be responsible for the activities of the Bauer Media Group in the UK, the USA, Australia and other countries. He will also push forward with the development of new business for the Bauer Media Group.

He has previously held positions at McKinsey and Dell. Most recently, as CEO of the Switzerland-based NZZ Media Group, he was responsible for the company’s strategic realignment.

Bauer commented: “I look forward to working with Veit Dengler. He is a multifaceted and internationally experienced top manager who can optimally complement the Executive Board with his experience and create new opportunities in our markets. The dynamism with which he has executed projects previously in his career is a genuine plus for our company, particularly in light of the development of new business.

“Now we are perfectly positioned in the Executive Board to take on challenges in coming years, which I look forward to facing. I’m convinced that, with the new management team, we will be able to demonstrate even better that we are a broad and internationally active player.”

In addition to Bauer, the Group’s Executive Board has consisted of Jörg Hausendorf since 2013, Witold Wozniak since 2015, Harald Jessen since 2017 and now Veit Dengler, who will become a member at the beginning of April 2018.

The Bauer Media Group earns two-thirds of the company’s turnover abroad.