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Media Moguls Loaded on a Free Red Hot Curry

On Monday 2 October, the British Library will host 'Hot off the Press' a super-charged panel discussion. This event will bring together four trail-blazing and controversial entrepreneurial editors who will debate how best to start and develop a business in the media.

This highly entertaining panel comprises:

  • Steve Auckland - the managing director of the free London newspaper, Metro.
  • James Brown - the founding editor of Loaded and Jack magazines; and the founder of magazine company, IFG.
  • Lopa Patel - the award-winning founder of Redhotcurry.com, the leading lifestyle portal for British Asians.
  • William Ong - the founder of Chinatown, the business & lifestyle magazine for the Chinese in the UK, China and Asia-Pacific.

Matthew Rock, founder and former editor of Real Business magazine, will chair the discussion.

The panel will explore topics such as:

  • The distribution of free newspapers in the "no price newspapers war" and their effect on the news agenda and future of journalism.
  • The power of 'citizen journalism'. Will all media become increasingly personalised?
  • Where are the future opportunities: mainstream or niche?
  • Will the internet take over from print media?
  • What are the secrets of a successful media venture?

The audience will be encourage to join in and take advantage of the opportunity to put questions to proven winners whilst enjoying an evening of networking with some of London's leading business and media people.

The British press and media are the envy of the world; and one of the UK's most successful business sectors. As well as the long tradition of world-leading British newspapers, UK entrepreneurs have been innovators in magazines and, increasingly, online ventures. Indeed, Rupert Murdoch's News International launches a new free London newspaper - thelondonpaper - only a few weeks prior to this event. The media is also one of the most popular career options among graduates and school-leavers.

'Hot off the Press' is the second in a series of events running through 2006/07 under the banner 'Inspiring Entrepreneurs', supported by HSBC. The first sold out event, 'The Asian Advantage: Discover the formula for success' was held on 25 July.

Isabel Oswell, Head of Business Marketing at the British Library said: "As well as offering insights from some of the UK's leading entrepreneurial editors, these events will also introduce attendees to the British Library's Business & IP Centre - a fantastic, free resource which includes up-to-date information on companies, markets and intellectual property. A recent survey showed that nearly 20% of its users are in the creative industries and media sectors."

Simon Wainwright, Head of Business Banking at HSBC Bank said: "Having the right media strategy should be an important part of the marketing mix for any business. Why? Firstly because the competition are doing it and secondly because positive media coverage translates into a valuable form of free publicity for your company. The British Library has lined up some great speakers for what promises to be a lively, informative and entertaining event."

The British Library also holds major public exhibitions such as 'Front Page', 25 May to 8 October, celebrating 100 years of the British newspaper. The 'Front Page' exhibition is being held in partnership with the Newspaper Publishers Association and has attracted 55,957 visitors to date.

The 'Hot off the Press' discussion panel runs from 6.30pm to 8.00pm on Monday 2 October 2006 at The British Library Conference Centre and is followed by a drinks reception until 9.00pm. Tickets, priced £6 (£4.00 concessions) are limited to 255 and are available by phone +44 (0) 20 7412 7222, email boxoffice@bl.uk or in person at the Information Desk at The British Library.

For further information and images please contact: Ben Sanderson at the British Library Press Office (telephone 01937 546126, email: ben.sanderson@bl.uk) or Lawrence Christensen (telephone 020 7412 7114, email: lawrence.christensen@bl.uk)

Notes for Editors

  1. The British Library - is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk, which currently records almost 2 million 'hits' or visits per month. Access to the British Library's Business & IP Centre is free. Users need a Reader Pass, for more information visit: www.bl.uk/bipc
  2. HSBC Bank plc HSBC Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc which is headquartered in the UK. The HSBC Group serves over 125 million customers worldwide from more than 9,500 offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$1,502 billion at 31 December 2005, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.
  3. The London Development Agency is the Mayor's agency for business and jobs. The LDA prepares the Mayor's business plan for London and mobilises the support and resources of hundreds of partner organisations to help build a thriving economy for London's people, businesses and communities. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for Londoners.
  4. In May 2005, the Centre was awarded a £1 million capital injection by the London Development Agency to help fund its transformation from a successful pilot project to a permanent national resource.The enhanced Business & IP Centre's refit launched on 9 March offers:
    • Impartial library information experts trained in the needs of SMEs and entrepreneurs to guide users to the full range of resources
    • Workshops and clinics run by British Library and its business partners on subjects including: using intellectual property resources to check if ideas are novel, how to protect your ideas & designs, capitalising on market research resources, financing, marketing and selling skills, and pinpointing customers. Some of these workshops have a specific focus on supporting the needs of women, black and minority ethnic groups, and entrepreneurs with disabilities.
    • Business partners supporting the Business & IP Centre include Business Link for London, Business Plan Services, Camden Business Forum, Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, Dynamic Asian Women's Network, Everywoman, ideas21, Innovation Central, Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, oneLondon, Own It, UK Patent Office
    • A networking area for SMEs to meet and network with other SMEs, find out about the Library’s full range of services and get inspiration from success stories about products and services conceived by other Centre users.
    • Wireless internet access (WiFi) so users can connect to the internet and access e-mail from the Centre by using the Library's own pay-as-you-go service
    • Large-scale role model events – featuring successful entrepreneurs – to inspire, entertain and guide aspiring entrepreneurs on setting up and running a successful business and for SMEs to network. Previous examples include the sell-out 'Mothers of Invention', the 'Silk Road to Success' Asian Business events and the 'Creative Entrepreneurs' events.