Magazines

Staff, mediaweek.co.uk, 13 October 2009, 09:52am

Insiders' Guide: IPC Regional sales team

The IPC Media Regional team is 17-strong and based in Manchester. We're responsible for servicing all agencies and clients outside London, from Bristol, Devon and Leeds to Newcastle, Scotland and Ireland. We are a mini London office with display, digital, creative solutions, admin support, insight and innovator departments.

Back row, left to right: Libby Pinkess, Katrina Hutchison, Joanne McLenaghan, Tim Aggett and Clare Downing. Front row: Ollie Scull, Shelagh Bridge, Rachael Marsden, Lisa Don Francesco and Russell Matthews. Not pictured: Catherine Merrick, Sharon Loma

Who is the team leader?
Katrina Hutchison is regional sales director and leads the team with a focus on pro-activity, not least because we represent more than 30 brands. Russell Matthews heads the weeklies team, Joanne McLenaghan heads Southbank, Catherine Merrick heads creative solutions, Ollie Scull looks after digital and Tim Aggett is group head of Innovator.

What's in your in-tray?
We have a lot going on as IPC continues to invest in developing its print brands while creating some incredibly powerful digital brands. In addition, there's always strategy and events planning, and Katrina is off on maternity leave in November, so there is plenty to get done.

Where do you get inspiration from?
The biscuit tin at 11am and 4pm. Thanks to Sharon Lomas, we have also recently had some lovely cakes.

Media you can't live without?
We love The X Factor and Ugly Betty, and we enjoy our weekly fix of Now and Look. Essentials is a great magazine for recipes and our new Woman & Home one-shot Dinner Tonight has been another big hit. Preferred lunching venues In Manchester it has to be Piccalinos, The Restaurant Bar and Grill, or Pizza Express.

Most memorable night out
Sleeping in an igloo in temperatures of -25 degrees. IPC Manchester takes clients away each year and this year's trip to Finland was a real experience - we'll never complain about being cold again. And we really enjoyed the Fresh Media Awards, where we won a silver award.

Advice to graduates
Get as much experience as possible. Be prepared to be a sponge and learn something new each week - push yourself forward and those extra hours and projects will help take you to the next level.

If we ruled the world...
We would reduce tax for all, have four-day weekends, give Britain a wonderful Mediterranean climate and eat endless supplies of chocolate without gaining a pound.