Meet the Influence editorial team
Next month, CIPR members will receive their first copy of Influence, the Institute's new magazine, with the first publication set to hit doorsteps at the end of January 2016.
The magazine, which is to be sent free and exclusively to CIPR members, will be published quarterly in hard copy and supported by a dedicated web platform with high quality journalism about (and for) the public relations profession.
The editorial team for the magazine has now been confirmed.
Rob Smith is the Editor of Influence. A journalist with wide-ranging experience from the Times to regional news in Somerset, Rob has previously edited B2B publications and websites as well as working as a freelancer for national news titles writing everything from international politics to travel and TV reviews. Based at the CIPR’s Russell Square HQ, Rob is the first point of contact for Influence and can be reached on robs@cipr.co.uk or +44 7792 759924.
The vision for Influence is that this new title will create a radical approach to engagement with CIPR members which integrates all relevant forms of digital and print communications in a way that responds to the fast-changing environment that they work in.
The magazine will serve the profession as a whole and the professional as an individual. We look forward to sharing the first edition of Influence that will not only be broad in its scope, but also an authoritative, professional and knowledgeable voice for the business of public relations.
Matthew Rock is Content Development Director at Think, where he leads content and editorial strategy for clients such as the Chartered Management Institute and Association of Accounting Technicians, as well as for CIPR. He’s a very experienced, award-winning business journalist, occasional columnist for City AM (where he focuses on entrepreneurship) and, earlier this year, co-author of From Ebb to Flow: How Entrepreneurs Can Turn the Tide for Seaside Towns with the Centre for Entrepreneurs. Earlier career iterations include: co-founder and former editor of Real Business, the UK’s first magazine for entrepreneurs; communications director at Caspian Media; and editor-in-chief at the financial technology business DueDil. He’s vice-chairman of the Women of the Future programme and is an ambassador for the British Library’s Business & IP Centre.
Hannah Baker is Deputy Editor at Think, working across publications including Influence (CIPR), Accounting Technician (AAT) and Professional Manager (CMI). Prior to joining the team in September, she worked at the Institute of Directors for four years as a features writer and sub editor for Director magazine. She writes on a range of topics including business, technology, travel and sustainability.
Notes to editors
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).