Max Cooter has been writing about IT for over 20 years and is the Editor of cloudpro.co.uk and the new Cloud Pro App, A Guide to Cloud Computing, which will soon be launched by Dennis Publishing. Grab a quick-fire 60 Seconds and find out all about what the future holds for IT and journalism.
How did you become an Editor?
I was working for a small company called Richmond Publishing. I started as a staff writer then was made deputy editor on one title and when we acquired a magazine called Comms Monthly I was made Editor.
Favourite mag growing up?
Shoot and NME.
First job?
See above for my first journalism job but my first full-time job was a holiday job in a building society.
Biggest influence?
Roger Green, a Publishing Director at EMAP, was a great person to work for. He gave me lots of insights and advice on improving my work and was also very quick to see the publishing possibilities of the Internet.
Your most interesting/charismatic person/interview?
Marc Benioff of Salesforce gives a good quote. Vint Cerf, one of the founders of the Internet, had plenty of insight and a fascinating career.
What’s your career highlight?
A former colleague and I came up with the idea for Techworld. We got it off the ground at IDG and won best business online publication later that year.
Most embarrassing moment?
Giving a Powerpoint presentation without checking slides or rehearsing beforehand. Slides came up in the wrong order and I generally made a fool of myself.
What advice would you give to aspiring Editors?
Get as much experience as you can at college: I was editor of the university newspaper and that gave a great grounding when I came to do the job professionally. Be prepared to learn all the time and listen to other people, even the most junior of staff members may have a brilliant idea. Read as many publications as you can and rob ideas ruthlessly. Don’t give all your staff the unpleasant jobs if you’re not prepared to do some yourself.
Be prepared to learn all the time and listen to other people, even the most junior of staff members may have a brilliant idea.
What makes your magazine unique?
We’re the only UK title that gives a detailed look at all aspects of cloud computing – we cover both the technical and business aspects of the concept – that’s a challenging approach. We’ve also expanded into new areas since launch and have introduced a successful magbook and held a well-attended summit and an awards evening.
How has the competitor landscape changed in the last decade?
A decade ago, the UK IT press was one of the most competitive, it’s a pale shadow of those days now. It means that there are fewer publications competing with you but we’ve all been hit by tightening budgets.
Most innovative thing you and the team have come up with?
A mobile phone app, Cloud Pro’s” The Guide to Cloud Computing” which will be available next week on iTunes and Android.
How is your title adapting to new innovations in delivering content?
We’re an online title so we’re already embracing the web. But we’re delivering content in many different formats for example mobile phones apps, printed magbooks, special reports and white papers as well as events.
Best example of reader involvement?
When the director of the government’s cloud programme contacted us – it showed we were reaching the right people.
Reasons readers are so engaged with your title?
Whilst cloud computing isn’t a totally new concept, right now, it’s the topic in IT that everyone is talking about and preparing for, so it’s very exciting to be at the forefront of this drive.
What’s unique about your audience?
Cloud is relevant to every size and type of business, so we’re encouraged by the wide spread of readers: covering large to small businesses and both technical and commercial. We aspire to make cloud computing accessible to all.