[Editorial column] Keeping good staff

Last week saw top stories in the media relating to the jostling for editorial positions at various South Africa’s news publishers. At the Mail & Guardian, Ferial Haffajee’s shock resignation for the City Press sees Nic Dawes becoming the newspaper’s incoming editor-in-chief and at the Cape Times, Alide Dasnois, the former deputy editor, has become the newspaper’s first woman editor in its 133-year history. It remains to be seen what will happen as further retrenchments occur across the various media houses.

On the international scene, however, it seems things were somewhat aggressive, where Jeremy Langmead, previously with Associated Newspapers and now editor-in-chief of IPC Media’s Wallpaper, is claimed to have poached Richard Cook and Robert Johnston, two of his previous employer’s senior journalists, and appointed them as executive editors.

It seems the above is indicative of the volatility and voracity in the current jockeying in the media, where global cuts, voluntary retrenchments and changing of the guard may well be likened to a game of chess. In the current global media meltdown, therefore, a key objective of any publication is to protect good editors from abduction by competitors, and assemble a strong supporting army where all the players are working towards a common goal.

Where there are as many media games on the go as there are moves on a chess board, with a combination of print, online and mobile offerings staking their claim for authority in an ever-increasing variety of niches and genres, strategy, tactics and a clear game plan have never been more important. Tactical ammo in a publication’s arsenal is crucial… and that means a well designed environment and the right mix of content - with enough engagement and the right angle and spin to appeal to a defined target audience.

Media must avoid sameness and information overload and ensure integrity, authenticity of voice and consumer desirability. To achieve that, the most important strategy for any medium remains a watertight and desirable brand identity to underpin the retention of editorial talent, so that everyone has something to buy into and work towards.

Viva freedom of the press!
The biz editorial team

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This column originally published 6 April 2009.