Jane Ingham describes how she became the co-owner of a successful publishing company
Jane Ingham
Jane Ingham was once the managing director of one of the UK’s major niche magazine publishers, Future Publishing. In 2006, she and her husband Greg established Bath-based publishing company MediaClash. The company has been flourishing ever since.
What was your first job in publishing?
It was at Amstrad, where I was the Advertising Manager of three computing titles that competed with Future Publishing’s magazines.
I was headhunted by Chris Anderson, the founder of Future Publishing, and joined as Marketing Manager responsible for the Mail Order (essential before on-line!) and subscriptions. Being headhunted, and Chris actually agreeing a transfer fee (like a footballer!), was flattering.
How did you progress through the company to becoming Future’s Managing Director?
From Marketing Manager I became an Assistant Publisher, then Publisher, up to Publishing Director. Though I always loved the publishing side of things, I then became Managing Director of the UK business. I always loved publishing side of things, though.
I oversaw the company during its most successful period, and after resigning as Managing Director, I worked as a consultant on Future’s most important business, with Sony.
What made you decide to make the leap of resigning from this role?
My children were the biggest influence in making me decide to leave my role at Future. I’d never had a problem with working when they were tiny, but as they got older I wanted to be the one picking them up from school, sports days, that kind of thing. Also, frankly the pressure was massive and I actually missed publishing magazines. It’s not always easy to take a step back though.
After a while I wanted to work again, but to be my own boss. I love Bath, have an obsession with property and adore magazines. So my husband Greg and I decided to buy Surf Media, a publisher of city-based magazines. Lucky for Greg and me, the proprietor Andy Forster was ready to sell.
How has MediaClash developed since you and Greg created it?
MediaClash has gone from strength to strength. We have a fab team in Circus Mews, Bath, and have diversified from the City Magazines to a successful Customer Publishing and Digital division. Greg also is a consultant to other businesses. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored with magazines.
How important has your partnership with Greg been to the company’s success?
My partnership with Greg has always been a bonus – he comes from an editorial background and I come from sales and marketing, so we complement each other. That’s not to say that we always agree though…
What advice would you offer an aspiring media mogul?
When you’re not the market leader, you have to work really hard to gain a share, but when you are the market leader you have to make sure that you and your team are never complacent or arrogant. The main challenge is keeping everyone focused on the competition.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
In the future I hope we’ll have more city titles – some launches, and some acquisitions. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored with magazines.
For more, see www.mediaclash.co.uk
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