My Q and A with Russian journalist Sergei Yakupov

Sergei Yakupov, CEO and founder of the Russian web magazine MediaMedia, asked me 10 questions for his 10 FAQts feature.

You can see the exchange in Russian at the link above, but the Google translation isn’t perfect. So I’ll post his English questions and my responses here.

1. How did you start your career in media? What was the initial point?

I was a newspaper carrier in the 1960s for the Columbus Citizen-Journal. But my first job as a journalist was as a sports writer for the Evening Sentinel in Shenandoah, Iowa, in 1971, when I was in high school. I covered sports at small high schools in that rural area, and I immediately loved reporting, writing and interacting with the community.

2. If not in journalism, i would be in…

Teaching probably. I love teaching journalism and I suppose if I hadn’t gone into journalism I might be teaching writing or history.

3. Who influenced you most in terms of media?

Influential figures in my career: As leaders in my workplaces: Chuck Offenburger (my first boss and still a good friend), David Witke (managing editor at the Des Moines Register when I was a young editor there), Michael Gartner (former editor and president of the Register), Jim Brady (I worked for him at TBD and still work for him at Digital First Media) and John Paton (CEO of Digital First Media).

Some thought leaders (people I know and have read extensively, but have not worked with directly): Clayton Christensen, who helped me understand disruptive innovation; Jeff Jarvis, Emily Bell, Jay Rosen and Clay Shirky, great thinkers/writers/speakers about digital journalism.

4. What are the most interesting media projects (your opinion)?

I think Digital First is interesting, but I’m too heavily involved to view it with detachment. I am fascinated to see what digital entrepreneurs Jeff Bezos and Pierre Omidyar can do with an outstanding legacy media company and a media startup.

5. Point three-five features of good news media.

Accuracy, transparency, storytelling, interactivity, impact.

6. If you have a superpower what would it be?

I have no superpowers. Journalism is hard work.

7. Point three-five most used apps on your smartphone/tablet.

Twitter, Facebook, text messaging, WordPress.

8. iOS, Android, Windows Phone or Blackberry?

I’m on my fourth iPhone and have a Galaxy (Android) that has a far superior camera, but that isn’t as easy to use. I had a BlackBerry, but didn’t like it.

9. Does information need a design?

Absolutely. Design is important, but I’m not good at it. I am frustrated by clunky designs (most news websites) and love an elegant, useful design. But I’m better at knowing what I like than at saying what made me like it.

10. What would you recommend first the one who want to dedicate his professional life to media?

Commit to quality, integrity and flexibility. And never stop learning.

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