Q&A with Brett Clegg
Brett Clegg, group director – business media, Fairfax Media, in a Q&A that first appeared in Encore, on the journo who refuses to work with him – his wife.
Who is the most powerful person in Australian media and why?
Hard to go past Rupert Murdoch. He controls the single largest and most diverse portfolio and is intent on leveraging its scale (and, of course, influence). He’s an innovator and his will to win is obvious to all.
What one medium could you not live without?
My smart phone. I’m always glued to it even while walking and doing other activities… Especially now that we have launched a new m-site for afr.com. Second is my iPad.
Your one guilty media pleasure?
Apple TV. I love catching up on guilty pleasures that I never see when broadcast, such as comedy shows Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Thick of It. Surfing through Vimeo on a big screen is also a plus.
The next big industry trend is…
The obvious answer is mobility. I’d add another which is multi-platform. Content is increasingly going to stretch across print, digital, events and broadcast. A good example is the Financial Review Sunday program on the Nine Network.
If you weren’t doing this for a living what would you be doing?
Unemployed science fiction novelist? More seriously I suspect I would be applying my finance background and qualifications in investment banking as I have done in the past. Although there’s less job security in that business even than newspapers.
Your best piece of career advice…
Stay true to your convictions and don’t be afraid to take risks. I have had an eclectic career spanning chartered accounting, investment banking, journalism and now an executive role in the industry I love. I would not be where I am had I not taken (calculated) risks.
If you could poach any one person, who would it be?
A tie between Damon Kitney and my wife Annabel Hepworth. Both are ex-colleagues and senior business writers at The Australian. They are two of the best around. I miss working with them. Unfortunately my wife refuses to work for me which is understandable given that she is the boss in our personal life.
Would you recommend working in this industry to your kids?
I really do love the industry but I would have to say it is not a great one at present for career certainty. Besides, with two journalists as parents, I doubt our daughter Livinia will be that foolish.
What is your favourite Aussie ad?
I’d nominate Westpac’s Supporting Australia campaign. It’s clean, crisp and speaks to a broad audience with a positive message. If I can add a global campaign that appears locally, I’d say the Credit Suisse ad which is clever, sophisticated and looks beautiful.
Brett Clegg is the group director – business media at Fairfax Media.
This story first appeared in the weekly edition of Encore available for iPad and Android tablets. Visit encore.com.au for a preview of the app or click below to download.
