(Hypebot) — UK music industry trade Music Week will stop weekly publication, according to a now-deleted LinkedIn job post.
The ad by owners Future plc sought to hire a Digital Editor for Music Week.
“The economics of Music Week as a weekly magazine are no longer viable,” said the ad, “so we must look for other ways to serve our readership and build new sustainable revenue streams, both in the UK and internationally.”
“Music Week’s competition is hotting up too – its long-established brand leadership is facing increased pressure from its competitors, including some who have significant strengths in digital media,” stated the surprisingly frank job post.
Perhaps because of the frankness, the job listing is no longer up on LinkedIn.
Here is the full text mirrored on UK job site Laimoon.
Digital Editor – Music Week
Full time at Future Plc in United Kingdom
Posted on November 17, 2020
Job details
About the team
Music Week has been the leading trade media brand for the UK music industry for over 60 years, and is essential reading for anyone who needs to understand the business of music, from vinyl to streaming, from the Dublin Castle all the way to Wembley Stadium.
As well as covering industry news as and when it happens, our editorial team creates exclusive content that delves deeper into key industry issues. We have unrivalled access to the most powerful music business executives, both in the UK and abroad, and our unique relationships with a variety of trade bodies and chart providers, including the UK’s Official Charts Company, means we are able to analyse the data and trends that lie behind the modern music industry.
Music Week is undergoing a transformation. Long known as a weekly music magazine, published primarily for the UK market, it has been impacted by a number of external market factors and significant economic pressures which mean that Music Week must move into a new phase of its development.
The ever-changing expectations of its readers mean that the brand will inevitably move over time to a digital-first proposition, serving both its audience and commercial clients with informative, compelling and impactful content across a variety of media platforms, including live events (when they are permitted to return). Music Week’s competition is hotting up too – it’s long-established brand leadership is facing increased pressure from its competitors, including some who have significant strengths in digital media.
The economics of Music Week as a weekly magazine are no longer viable, so we must look for other ways to serve our readership and build new sustainable revenue streams, both in the UK and internationally.
For the time being Future remains committed to Music Week in print, but monthly. The planned move of the MusicWeek.com website in Q3 FY21, with a paywalled facility, will open up new opportunities for the brand to serve its audience and clients.
Job Purpose
The Digital Editor is responsible for supporting the Head of Content in the planning and execution of all Music Week digital content across our various platforms. Working with the Head of Content, Music Week’s Digital Editor will play an essential role in developing audience growth and audience monetisation strategies for the Music Week online, demonstrating expert insight into their customers, both existing and potential.
Working alongside the wider Music Week print and commercial team, they will manage a content strategy for the creation of high-quality, engaging music content, as well as repurposing and publishing relevant content from the magazine’s print content online, updating existing content, and creating strategies for social media and newsletter creation.
Key responsibilities
End-to-end development and delivery of all digital content under the Music Week brand: news, reviews, views and interviews
Developing audience growth and audience monetisation strategies
Working with commercial teams to identify new business opportunities
Ensuring the audience for this digital content is maximised in line with best practice SEO and paywall methods
Creating and implementing a social media strategy
Creating a new email newsletters strategy
Working alongside the editors of the wider music vertical to aid collaboration, content-sharing etc.
Monitoring performance of articles and social media posts to assess what content is most effective
Updating existing articles on the websites, ensuring they remain relevant and rank highly
Helping with commercial efforts and Events as directed by the Head of Content; supporting the commercial team in achieving revenue growth targets
Requirements
What do I need to succeed?
Proven ability to write high-quality, engaging content
Interest in and a passion for chart music
An understanding of SEO and/or paywall best practices and the ability to quickly develop these skills
Ability to use Google Analytics to report on and inform content strategies
Knowledge and experience of content management systems
Knowledge and experience of social media platforms
Knowledge and experience of creating newsletters
Able to interpret and use audience behavioural data
Excellent communication skills between both PR and internal contacts
Able to represent Future brands externally at events and launches when relevant
Benefits
As well as our standard benefits, we have a number of awesome perks available to our staff including:
Unlimited paid time off (yes you read that right!)
A share in our success- every member of staff receives a profit pool bonus at the end of our financial year
Complete flexibility to work from home however you can chose to work in one of our offices when they reopen!
Free digital magazine subscriptions and access to back copies of our print magazines and bookazines
Discounted gym membership and onsite health & wellbeing (yoga at lunch anyone?!)
Annual Future conference – get together with your colleagues to celebrate success and look forward to what’s next
Regular staff socials arranged by our wonderful Employee Community & Culture committees
Huge opportunities to learn and develop whether through professional qualifications, exposure to incredible business projects or informal lunch & learns, hosted by your colleagues
