Journalism students pitch their magazines to the professionals
- Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Third year journalism students pitched their own ideas for a commercially viable magazine to a stellar panel of judges from the publishing industry on 9 May.
The Magazine Production module is a practice-based module in which groups work together to produce a 24-page print magazine, website and accompanying social media channels. The aim is to ready the teams for the rigors of the job market, and allow students to perform typical editorial roles from editor and deputy editor to news, feature and picture editors. Each student is mentored by an editor who works for a magazine related to their chosen topic.
This year saw the magazine teams produce four distinct and varied publications. Byble focuses on fashion and politics, D_irt covers BAME youth culture and career development, FYM (Feed Your Mind) looks social activism in all its forms, and X Magazine covers the tricky topic of sex and relationships in today’s #Metoo landscape.
Each group had 15 minutes to pitch their title as a commercially viable idea to the following judges:
Laura Kelly Dunlop Business Development Manager for the Periodical Publishing Association and former Big Issue contributor. “Today I’ve been so impressed by the passion, commitment and talent of these young people, they have really got a voice, they have really got something they want to get out into the world and want to share. I feel like the future of magazines is in safe hands.”
Sagal Mohammed Former entertainment editor of Glamour magazine and is soon to join the UK launch of Bustle. Sagal is an alumna of the University of Roehampton, and was pitching her own magazine three years ago. “It’s great to be back I got quite emotional because I know how much work goes into this.”
Paula Akpan Founder of BlackGirl Fest and social media manager of Gal-dem. “Continue to collaborate, use each other’s skills cause it’s a dog eat dog industry out there.”
Dominic Mills Associate Professor and former editorial director of Haymarket Business Media.
The overall winner of the pitch was D_irt magazine, and was announced by Dominic Mills who said “The idea of making the everyday a little less scary for a particular age group was really strong.”
Lucy Patchett, third year student and member of FYM magazine, said “the course was everything I expected and more. It was great to have the freedom to have your own idea and pursue your passion.” Leanna Coleman, who also worked on FYM, added that “everyone bounced off each other’s ideas and now we have our own magazine that we can add to our portfolio and show employers.”
Find out more about studying Journalism at Roehampton.