Scott Hannaford is a Deputy Editor at The Canberra Times.
What led you to start working in digital/media publishing?
I trained as a print journalist, and the job has evolved into a dual role, serving digital and print audiences.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Start with catching up on the overnight news (newspapers, online, email). Then, morning news conference with my team. Planning for the week/coming editions, looking ahead to daily, weekly and long-term goals. Setting priorities for the next 24hrs of deadlines (morning, lunch, afternoon and evening online peaks, social media plan and print plan). Chasing copy, commissioning comment/editorials, proofing content/addressing legal issues.
Afternoon conference to set a print plan. Then a national phone link-up with other Fairfax editors. Forward to planning for the next morning. Reading letters/editorials and checking competition for missed stories. More reading, reading, reading.
What does your work setup look like? (your apps, productivity tools, etc.)
We rely most heavily on the Google apps suite. We also use other tools for specific uses, like Premiere Pro/Final Cut for video, Audition for podcasts, and specific newspaper layout programs including CQ5 and the Cybergraphics suite. We also use the usual suite of social media apps including Instagram, Facebook, Tweetdeck, and etc.
What do you do to get inspired?
Read as widely as I can, brainstorm with colleagues, study the metrics to see what our audiences want, and what works and what doesn’t.
What’s your favorite piece of writing or quote?
The Meaning of Work, by David Finkel.
What is the most interesting/innovative thing you have seen on another outlet other than your own?
What is the problem that you’re passionately tackling at the moment?
Understaffing!
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Do you have any advice for ambitious digital publishing and media professionals who are just starting out?
Become an expert yourself if you can’t find someone to help you. Want to do a podcast but don’t have production resources? Learn Audition. Don’t have a coder to put together the digital special you want to do? Ask your graphic designer if he or she can have a go at it for you.
