How to Run a Free Magazine – Panel Session – 27 March

Join us for a panel discussion that delves into the world of free magazine publishing, followed by a Q&A opportunity.

Sponsored by Acorn Web Offset, our online panel session will be held on 27 March, 1.00-2.30pm GMT.

Whether you are a seasoned publisher looking to expand into the world of free magazines or an aspiring entrepreneur seeking to launch your own publication, this panel discussion will provide you with actionable insights and inspiration for success in the vibrant world of free magazine publishing.

This event is not just for beginners; we can all learn something from our panel of experts.

Key Topics

  1. Navigating the Landscape of Free Magazine Publishing
  2. Content Creation and Curation
  3. Distribution Strategies
  4. Monetisation Models
  5. Building Reader Engagement
  6. Digital Transformation

About the panel

Our panel is comprised of industry experts and successful publishers, will share their insights, strategies, and experiences in running and supporting free magazine titles.

Our panel includes:

Dan CollinsMagazine Heroes

Dan is the Circulation and Distribution Director at Magazine Heroes, the company he founded after working on the transitions from paid to free Time Out London and New York magazines. Over the years, he has also worked with the Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, The Irish Times, Le Monde, and The Jewish Chronicle. With the rise in interest in free publications and street distribution, he realised the need for cost-effective circulation and distribution management is greater than ever.

Sian GeorgeThe Evening Standard

Sian is the Head of Operations – Evening Standard Senior Leader with over 19 years experience in Publishing Operations

Gary SharpenThe Cocktail Lovers

Gary founded The Cocktail Lovers magazine with Sandrae Lawrence. Starting life as a blog, it has now become an internationally read magazine amongst discerning consumers and industry opinion-formers. Gary also has over 20 years of experience in advertising, initially as a copywriter and then as a creative director, working at agencies including Ogilvy & Mather and Saatchi and Saatchi before founding his own award-winning agency, Leonardo, in partnership with Leo Burnett.

Michael McDermottTotally Dublin

Michael has, until very recently, been the editor of Totally Dublin Magazine. Totally Dublin is the city’s most widely read, highly distributed freesheet, and has established itself as the go-to guide to the city in its 150+ issues.

Matt CarryAcorn Web Offset Limited

Matt is the Sales Director at Acorn Web, a specialist printer of A4/A5 multi page products. The Acorn business has been helping magazine publishers with print solutions for over 45 years and has a portfolio spanning more than 300 periodical titles.

Matt and his team actively challenge publishers to focus on efficient manufacturing, waste reduction and sustainability, to ensure print continues to be a viable route to your audience, offering strong ROI.

Decline in print circulations cannot be ignored and the paper, print and distribution supply chain has inevitably changed in line with this, but Matt says the market for magazines is still a huge one and it is full of innovative and creative people. He is working hard with his team to ensure publishers select the best options from this changing market situation.


Need to know

Date and Time: 27 March, 1.00-2.30pm GMT

Tickets: 

Full price: £20

Members: FREE (become an International Magazine Centre Member for access to discounts on training, free attendance at events, mentoring and more). If you are a Member and have not already received your access instructions, please get in touch.

Pay it Forward: Many publishers are finding it tough at the moment. If you’re in a position to do so, we invite you to donate the price of a ticket for someone who would otherwise be unable to attend.


Event Partner

Huge thanks to our event partner for their fantastic support

Acorn Web is a specialist printer of A4/A5 multi-pagination magazines from 5,000 copies, and is proud to print over 300 titles.

Operating from one of the UK’s lowest cost production facilities in West Yorkshire, close to the M1 / A1 / M62 motorway network, it supports publishers across the whole of the UK with their printing needs.

Acorn will help you choose the most innovative and cost-effective formats and the quality and service it offers is market leading. With high-speed web offset and sheet-fed printing equipment together with in-house saddle stitching, perfect binding, and a well-established mailing partnership it can cope with the most demanding of production turnarounds.

The business is well invested in the latest technology and has a strong reputation for reliability, boasting a 98.9% success rate with ‘on time’ delivery across more than 14,000 deliveries each year.

Acorn prides itself on being a responsible company and building on its ISO14001, FSC and PEFC accreditations it has performed several clear and understandable investments that help reduce its impact on the environment.

For more information on how Acorn can help you with your magazine please visit www.acornweb.co.uk or email Matt Carry for a chat.

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