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Ex-regional press pair launch new city magazine

A former regional journalist and sales director have teamed up to launch a new city magazine, claiming that micropublishing represents “the future of the industry.”

Guy Hanson and Sue Hughes have brought out Winchester Resident, a community-focused publication for Hampshire’s county town.

The new title, which will be published six times a year, has a target audience of “selected affluent postcodes” in the Winchester area.

Its content will include coverage of local issues, independent traders and entrepreneurs, lifestyle and wellbeing, arts, food and drink, history and travel.

Winchester Resident

Guy spent most of his 35-year career in a variety of sales roles with Newsquest at titles including the Hampshire Chronicle, Winchester Extra, Southern Daily Echo and Basingstoke Gazette), and also worked for Trinity Mirror and Archant Life magazines.

Sue’s 34-years in journalism have included stints at The News, Portsmouth, Southern Daily Echo and Hampshire Life magazine, where she first worked with Guy.

Said Guy: “Sue’s brief is to go back to the roots of quality, local journalism and write about issues, people, independent businesses and organisations in and around Winchester.

“I believe that micro publishing is the future for our industry now. Winchester Resident Magazine will reflect that.

“We are trying to ensure something for everyone with new sections, quality content and we’re not afraid to be opinionated and tackle local news issues.

“If Sue spots a further angle in a press release she’ll file it, develop it and talk to individuals to generate original content, the sort of writing she produced for me a decade ago on Hampshire Life.”

3 comments

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  • August 31, 2016 at 4:42 pm
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    You’re right the future of community publishing is indeed community based quality periodicals. There’s some cracking ones in the east with good content and well established advertises staffed primarily by ex regional press staffers both editorial and commercial.

    Good luck with this venture , just not sure about the title as The Resident is one archant uses on their free monthlies and some of those are not shining examples of the medium shall we say

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  • August 31, 2016 at 5:48 pm
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    Well said that man ‘Archie’ and all good wishes to the two entrepreneurs who will no doubt make a success of this, others are doing it and making good livings, giving a good advertising medium for local business to promote themselves in, good free content at local level and without any of the baggage or internal politics and suffocating levels of management we are all used to in the bigger creaking regional press groups.

    Let’s hope many others follow their leads and capitalise on the basics that the more established groups simply don’t bother with
    Good wishes to you both!

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  • August 31, 2016 at 6:39 pm
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    Thanks Archie. Feedback for the launch issue of Winchester Resident Magazine from readers and advertisers has been fabulous. Royal Mail delivery has played a key part in giving advertisers reassurance and readers are telling us that the content really hits the spot. Onward to issue two……

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