INDUSTRY PROFILES
Kate Hutchinson - Media
Q.
Give us a snapshot of your career to date and an overview of your current role?
At 20 I started part-time writing at Cream magazine, along with numerous internships. I then assisted at Oyster and landed my first full-time paid position as the staff writer at Penthouse (yes, the adult magazine) of all places! I then jumped straight into the role of Editor for Peninsula Living and North Shore Living. I was there for five years, until I felt in a bit of a rut and wanted to work overseas.
I ended up nabbing the position of Deputy Editor of the fashion magazine Grazia Middle East based in Dubai, where I stayed for just over a year. There, I was given the most amazing opportunities to travel, interview A-list celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jessica Alba; and some of the most talented fashion designers in the world – Valentino Garavani, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Emilia Wickstead, and more.
I then came back to Australia in 2016 and resumed my job at Peninsula Living and North Shore Living (with the new title of Editor-in-Chief!). In this role, I edit all submitted articles by freelancers and the senior journalists, write the fashion articles, interview the cover stars and people that have done something wonderful in the community, and report on local news in the area. I represent the magazines at different local events.
I ended up nabbing the position of Deputy Editor of the fashion magazine Grazia Middle East based in Dubai, where I stayed for just over a year. There, I was given the most amazing opportunities to travel, interview A-list celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jessica Alba; and some of the most talented fashion designers in the world – Valentino Garavani, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Emilia Wickstead, and more.
I then came back to Australia in 2016 and resumed my job at Peninsula Living and North Shore Living (with the new title of Editor-in-Chief!). In this role, I edit all submitted articles by freelancers and the senior journalists, write the fashion articles, interview the cover stars and people that have done something wonderful in the community, and report on local news in the area. I represent the magazines at different local events.
Q.
What are you looking for from PRs – and what kind of pitch would get an immediate response?
You won’t get an immediate response from me unless it’s an exclusive article that is relevant to the regions we distribute to. If you don’t hear from me, unfortunately I’m not interested. I do try and respond to everyone with a thank you, but sometimes time makes that difficult - especially during deadline.
I’m looking for PRs to do their research on the magazine. Don’t pitch me ideas that have nothing to do with Sydney’s North Shore or Northern Beaches.
I’m looking for PRs to do their research on the magazine. Don’t pitch me ideas that have nothing to do with Sydney’s North Shore or Northern Beaches.
Q.
Do you prefer email or phone pitches, and what is the best time of day/day of the week to catch you?
So, I’m divulging a big secret… my phone is on mute, purely because of phone pitches. It’s done wonders – the Editor-in-Chief at Grazia Middle East had her phone on mute, and it’s the best thing I’ve learnt. I don’t want to listen to pitches that I’ve already read via email. Email me whenever you’d like!
Q.
During your career, what has your experience been like working with PRs?
It’s been varied. Some have been absolutely amazing - I have become great friends with Rob and Kylie from Cardinal Spin as they are very casual and can have a laugh. I love when PRs are like that and it’s not all just work – we talk about other things.
I don’t love a PR following up on a pitch in 24 hours. While I appreciate it’s your job to hussle – give me a couple of days please! PRs that hound and hound about a pitch that I’m not interested in – that annoys me and creates a bad relationship. We are all just so busy and I don’t want to waste your/my time.
I don’t love a PR following up on a pitch in 24 hours. While I appreciate it’s your job to hussle – give me a couple of days please! PRs that hound and hound about a pitch that I’m not interested in – that annoys me and creates a bad relationship. We are all just so busy and I don’t want to waste your/my time.
Q.
Do you attend many media events and if so, what kind?
After an event every single night in Dubai due to my position and the publication, I’m really all media evented out! If it’s supporting a friend or a charity or something I’m really, really interested in (fashion is one), of course I’ll go. I’m very big on this at present, trying to assist wherever I can for charities.
It’s also a bit hard as our office is in Brookvale, so getting into the city for the events on time can be tricky and if it’s far, that won’t work especially during office hours.
It’s also a bit hard as our office is in Brookvale, so getting into the city for the events on time can be tricky and if it’s far, that won’t work especially during office hours.
Q.
You’re working on an amazing charity initiative “Creature Collab” – tell us more?
I’m going to volunteer for a few weeks in a remote village called Soibada in Timor-Leste in October. Here, I’ll be teaching the orphans who are in the village art, craft and sport, helping to build a high school, and so much more. For this, I’m trying to raise money for sporting equipment, materials for the high school, medication the villagers that aren’t available in the region.
I’ve asked several well-known artists from around Sydney to collaborate with me on about 12 artworks. Big names in the exhibition, aptly named Creature Collab, is fashion illustrator Aaron Favaloro, Archibald Prize finalist Kirsty Neilson, street artists Mulga, Saxon Duke and Allie Webb, plus many others. It will be held September 21st – 28th at Sugar Glider Gallery, which is inside Sneaky Possum pub in Chippendale. All proceeds from the sales of the artworks go to the goods I want to take over for the Soibada people.
I’ve asked several well-known artists from around Sydney to collaborate with me on about 12 artworks. Big names in the exhibition, aptly named Creature Collab, is fashion illustrator Aaron Favaloro, Archibald Prize finalist Kirsty Neilson, street artists Mulga, Saxon Duke and Allie Webb, plus many others. It will be held September 21st – 28th at Sugar Glider Gallery, which is inside Sneaky Possum pub in Chippendale. All proceeds from the sales of the artworks go to the goods I want to take over for the Soibada people.
Q.
What do you love about your job?
Being in charge! Haha, sometimes that’s actually a bad thing as you’re accountable.
I like speaking with locals who have made a difference in the area, acknowledging in a big way what they have done and kind of thanking them by writing up something in our magazine about them. Same goes with charity groups. I also still enjoy writing up fashion articles as I’ll always love fashion.
I also really love the people I work with at Active Networks – there’s 16 of us and we are all such a close bunch.
I like speaking with locals who have made a difference in the area, acknowledging in a big way what they have done and kind of thanking them by writing up something in our magazine about them. Same goes with charity groups. I also still enjoy writing up fashion articles as I’ll always love fashion.
I also really love the people I work with at Active Networks – there’s 16 of us and we are all such a close bunch.
Q.
What's the downside?
There is no downtime. We make three magazines a month, and with this comes writing, chasing all the contributors, changing the rundown last minute if an ad comes in – you know, the usual stuff that happens in a magazine.
Q.
Describe a typical day:
Making my breakfast in the kitchen and go around talking to everyone (about non-work stuff usually) while eating my breakfast at the same time, checking/responding to emails, hounding people who have missed deadline, meeting with the publisher regarding future editorial and ideas for the business, interviewing and writing up articles, editing and meetings with graphics re layouts.
Q.
If you weren't doing what you do now… what would you be doing?
I say it all the time – I wish I wanted to be an anaesthetist… they earn so much money. But I’m not smart enough, nor can stand gory things, so yeah, that wouldn’t happen.
Something still in the creative field or working with a charity. Maybe presenting or acting. I would love to start drawing more and more… so hopefully one day I could be labelled an editor/artist. But we’ll see!
Something still in the creative field or working with a charity. Maybe presenting or acting. I would love to start drawing more and more… so hopefully one day I could be labelled an editor/artist. But we’ll see!
Q.
Your socials: