Around 50 students gathered in the lecture hall of Ellen Terry building on Friday to welcome the editor of the Coventry Telegraph Darren Parkin. Together with his PowerPoint presentation and his personal take on both questions and answers, he not only informed, but truly entertained.
Darren started out on the bottom of the journalism profession earning only 27 pounds per week. Persistence is what led him to becoming the youngest editor in the country at the age of 24, working at News of Wolverhampton. In November 2009, he became editor of the Coventry Telegraph.
Darren shared newspaper history showing the glorious days of the Telegraph, reaching 100,000 copies circulation in 1953 and making history in 1969, publishing the first colour pictures of the moon landing. Today the paper is far from that number, reaching only a third of that readership.
Although Darren is almost sure new technology is not going to replace newspapers, according to him sticking only to print is not a very good idea. “You can’t be a newspaper and a newspaper alone. You have to embrace technology”.
His very open approach to seemingly impossible things has led him to producing some very impressive products. “The secret of finding a successful idea is - try everything”. 3D newspapers? “Why the hell not?”, Darren said, although in his words some people might consider it a crazy idea.
Coventry Telegraph’s website is generating about 1,3 million users per month. Darren spiked everyone’s curiosity by bravely stating the Telegraph’s website will “change the way newspapers look online”. Although he was reluctant to share any details, he was certain that “everyone will follow”.
The advice for any future journalist – be creative and humble. “Talent is the business I’m in”, Darren said, “I judge myself as a creator of journalists”. As far as egos go, Darren’s advice is to leave them outside the door and enter with a touch of humility. And most importantly: “Listen. And never give up”.Labels: 101mc |
