Today, Behind the Bylines features journalist Wim de Mont, Head of Content at Belgian media PUB Magazine and Epica Awards jury veteran. He shares his take on the skills journalists need in our current media landscape, on what makes a memorable campaign and more.
What inspired you to become a journalist and how did you get into the profession?
Love for books (literature) and for history always made me look forward to learning more about the world and the way we are functioning in it. Even as a trade association director and as a marcom director, I wrote articles. Mostly for our own magazine! In 2008 I decided to become a full-time professional journalist.
What’s your role at PUB Magazine - and what are the latest developments there?
I’m Head of Content. Nowadays PUB has become a multi-platform source of information. PUB includes PUB Magazine (paper + online), and the digital newsletters PUBNews, PUB on Saturday, PUB4Schools and the website. We publish in the two major languages of Belgium: Dutch and French. Next to this, PUB also organizes events such as Orbit by PUB (sustainability x marcom sector), Job Day by PUB XP (jobs and internships within the communication sector) etc.
What essential qualities and skills do journalists need to thrive in today’s media landscape?
Difficult to say ! An open mind, curiosity, and of course skills on language, editing and so on. And an eye on new technologies won’t hurt anyone, of course…
As a member of the Epica Awards jury, how do you approach evaluating and selecting the best creative work from around the world?
Surprise and (potential) impact are two key factors, next to craftsmanship and esthetics…
How important is the relationship between journalism and the creative community, and how can it be further strengthened?
Close contacts might be useful to get information, to understand the way of things and working, but there should still be a little distance, in order to maintain a professional objectivity on creative work.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the creative industry today – and how might it be addressed?
Finding Nemo ! I mean : finding (and retaining!) young & inspired crew members: creatives, strategists, technology-people, accounts… And also: finding that one good idea…
What are the most memorable campaigns or creative projects you've covered and what made them stand out for you?
It's difficult to name campaigns, but I should say: campaigns that have an impact, campaigns that inspire me to take action (for good). Campaigns that I like even if I don't fully understand why I like them. It's only after that I start analyzing and judging them. Quite often, these campaigns begin with a very simple idea.
How d’you stay informed and updated on the latest trends and developments in the creative industry?
There’s an overload of information, but also of latest trends. Talking to creatives and CEO’s gives you interesting insights on how things evolve. And of course, meeting colleagues (like other Epica Jury members) is inspiring as well.
What role do you see journalism playing in promoting and advocating for diversity and inclusion within the creative industry?
A platform like PUB brings people together, spreads new ways of creative thinking, shows best practices, highlights new ways of working… and enables agencies, media and marketing departments (to name a few) to do their jobs better.
Who are your role models or mentors in journalism and the creative world? And what’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?
« Whatever happened to all the heroes?
All the Shakespearoes?
They watched their Rome burn
Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?
No more heroes any more
No more heroes any more »
Love for books (literature) and for history always made me look forward to learning more about the world and the way we are functioning in it.