What does your job involve?
There are four pillars to my role: generating revenue from copy sales and advertising; consumer and trade marketing; brand development, such as new platforms and product endorsements, and co-ordinating the magazine's printing and distribution. My role is stacked full of deadlines, but I work with a team of exceptionally talented people who help me out a great deal along the way.
What's it like working for Hello?
It's like being strapped to a helter-skelter ride most of the time. You need to enjoy being an adrenaline junkie to work at Hello!, because deadlines are harsh and the market isn't for the faint-hearted.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
Absolute professionalism, charm and intelligence, and a team spirit. Other than that, a few basic GCSEs.
How do you spend a typical day?
My day mainly involves listening to the needs of others in the office and helping them succeed in their goals for the day. I also liaise with the Madrid office on issues affecting the magazine, whether they are immediate or strategic. I occasion-ally get out to meet advertisers, which is the favourite part of my role.
What's the best thing about your job?
This may sound corny, but it's the people. And, since Hello! is privately owned, the decision-making process is very fast and everyone in the company is treated as an individual rather than a number.
And the worst?
Being asked if such and such a celebrity is really as nice or nasty as they seem - ugh! Like I really know.
What keeps you awake at night?
I'm not telling you.
Who helped you get where you are today?
Alec Kenny, who gave me my first job in media, as media executive at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising.
Who do you aspire to be like?
Rupert Murdoch, quite the most brilliant media strategist ever. Except he's one of a kind.
Feature
This Is What I Do: Charlotte Stockting, Hello!
Charlotte Stockting is publishing director of Hello! magazine and hellomagazine.com.
