Kyle Caldwell, Deputy Editor of Money Observer, talks about his move from the Telegraph, what he looks for in a story or feature and the big issues facing DIY investors.
What was behind your move to Money Observer after three years at the Telegraph?
I felt I was at the stage of my career where I needed to take a step-up and learn the ropes of editing. So when a deputy editor position came up at a magazine that I liked, which has a big focus on investment and pensions, it was a no-brainer.
Is there a big difference between the readership of Money Observer and the readership of the Telegraph’s money pages?
There are plenty of similarities. In both cases the print readership is older than the online, while both also predominantly cater more towards the DIY investor. Another commonality is that the readers still write in with letters, although from my experience only a small percentage of this has been fan mail. But, ultimately, both sets of readers share the common goal of wanting to make their money work harder for them. Both readerships also have plenty of hobbyist investors, who are extremely knowledgeable, while there are also a growing number of first-time investors. So the aim is to come up with a diverse range of content, covering a mixture of different investment types, active funds, investment trusts, equities, tracker funds, ETFs, bonds, property, commodities…so that there is something for everyone.
Kyle Caldwell
What are the biggest challenges in your role as deputy editor?
The challenge as always is to produce engaging and useful content for both the magazine and online readerships. So the aim is to come up with plenty of original content and analysis that sets the magazine apart from our competitors.
What do you look for in a story, feature or an op-ed piece?
An interesting hook – whether that be eye-catching data or a chart that tells a story.
Are there any habits that you would like PR firms to avoid?
Opening with ‘Kylie’ irritates me, hugely.
What are the issues that you feel are most important to DIY investors at the moment?
Brexit (a word I hoped I would never have to write again after June 24) is going to dominate as one of the main issues for the next couple of years. Aside from the macro noise, I think passive products are only going to become more and more popular, and as a result there will be closer scrutiny of fund charges and performance of active funds.
What do you think needs to change in the financial services industry?
Asset management companies need to employ more women – particularly in senior roles. In my opinion it is a problem that firms are not doing enough to solve. Boardroom quotas may not necessarily work in encouraging women to remain in their posts, but I think it should be introduced.
Are there any stories you are particularly proud of as a journalist?
I was fortunate to have a couple of splashes on the front of The Daily Telegraph. It was a really good buzz, and I think my Mum bought every paper in our local shop.
Bulletin’s core team are all experienced former journalists and have strong relationships with the national press and investment trade titles. To find out how we can help with your PR needs email me: malcolm.jones@bulletin.co.uk or ring 0115 907 8412.
