Mary Ann Pickford has won the hotly-contested election to become the Editor-in-Chief of Platform magazine for the 2010-11 academic year.
The Print Journalism student, who will be in her third year, will officially take over from current editor Glen Davies on July 1. However, the current team will continue with certain areas of coverage throughout the summer as Pickford’s committee settles in.
The election was held on Thursday evening at the Trent Media AGM, where the roles for next year’s Platform and Fly FM Officers were decided. The latter role went to Kieran Simpson, who was re-elected after already spending this year in the job.
The position of Officer and Editor-in-Chief was contested by Aaron Lee, the current Gaming and Online Editor. The pair faced difficult questioning from the audience as experience clashed with expertise. The election was won with 39 votes to 29.
Pickford said: “I’m really passionate about continuing Platform’s professionalism, and I’m sure we can make it even bigger and better next year.”
The magazine has changed dramatically this year, becoming a thicker monthly publication and launching its expansive new website, Platform Online. Recent developments include a Platform TV video service and plans to introduce podcasts before the year is over, which can be continued in future.
It was surrounded by controversy in January when NTSU decided to revoke its printing funds to cover a £141,000 projected loss, forcing it to become an online-only publication. Despite this, Davies announced in the Summer issue that readership has increased five times on the original printed circulation and 15 times on last year’s online PDF audience.
With the students’ union now expected to make only a manageable £6,000 loss, it is widely anticipated that Platform will return to its printed form next year.
Tags: agm, fly fm, platform, trent media
Nicely written but,
“The pair faced difficult questioning from the audience as experience clashed with expertise.”
I disagree with the final three words.. it’s a misrepresentation, as one candidate clearly has both.
True Amy, but both candidates have both. I believe that what Glen meant by ‘expertise’ was ‘formal training in Magazine journalism and production’. They were both worthy candidates and equally deserving of the position.
Aaron and Mary possess positive and uniquely individual defining qualities. I believe that both held themselves up well in front of an audience of more than 50.
Ultimately one came across the superior and was therefore chosen for Editor.
I have no doubt that Aaron will continue the role that he has occupied at high standards for the last two years, and Platform will strongly benefit from the two working closely together.
I may possibly have sold myself short at the meeting as I was far too nervous to think straight let alone answer any questions (public speaking is hardly my forte), but I hope to assure any doubters during the next year that I have both the experience and expertise to carry Platform through to be even more successful than it already is.
Amen.