Specialist Media Show * Exhibition * Workshops * Conference * Intelligence * Networking * 24 May 2012 ThinkTank Birmingham

Jeska Harrington Gould is MD of Research, an independent b2b publisher providing academics with information and advice about applying for research grants.  She's worked at VNU, Centaur, Emap, Incisive and IDG, and spoke at the 2011 Specialist Media Conference about the transition to a site licence business.  Here Jeska shares her business priorities and her tips for other niche publishers.

How did you get into publishing?

I took a short-term job in a big b2b publisher when I first came to London aged 17. I was working in the post room sorting out returns for their big weekly title, and decided at that point to become a publisher. The next 10 years flashed by.

What media brands do you publish?

Research Professional, Research Fortnight, Research Europe and many other online products with the word Research at the front…

What’s happening in your market?

Universities in the UK and Europe are tightening their belts as public spending cuts kick in. We have to prove beyond all doubt that our information helps them to get more funding and is therefore a need-to-have product. Luckily this is working so far….

What’s new for your products?

We are currently working on a new user interface to make our biggest product more intuitive, and coming up are new additions to help academics make better and more targeted funding applications. These are all web-based.

Where are your big opportunities?

Geographical expansion – we launched in Australia and New Zealand last year and have made a big impact. We are currently assessing other territories.

Product development – lots of opportunities to add content and tools to expand in our existing markets.

What keeps you awake at night?

Getting web development done more quickly.

What big decisions do you have coming up?

Whether to launch in a big new territory we have been researching.

How do you find out about new trends in publishing?

From SIPA (Specialist Information Publishers Association), The Media Briefing, Fusion newsletter, various tweets and Specialist Media Show stuff. Also attending the relevant conferences.

What’s your top tip for other niche and independent publishers?

Work your niche. Find value-add content and get your web development machine working smoothly.

What’s your favourite magazine?

I don’t read any print magazines. Not even our own. I read everything online (except the Sunday supplements).

Contact details

Jeska Harrington Gould

www.researchresearch.com

jhg@researchresearch.com

Jeska Harrington Gould is taking part in the 2012 Specialist Media Conference.  Read more about the conference.

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