Today started out with a Starbucks run, only to find out that the drink sizes are not the same in the UK. A venti here in the UK is significantly smaller than the US version, much similar to the US size grande. After getting coffee and porridge (oatmeal), we headed off to start our long media day with Hearst UK.
On our way to Hearst, we stumbled upon an activation in Leicester Square, outside of the theatre where the London premiere of the new Aladdin, so of course we had to take a picture with the giant lamp.
Hearst UK publishes 19 magazines and 26 websites in the United Kingdom, including Elle, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health and Men’s Health. We toured about their headquarters with Claire, a PR manager for the lifestyle brands at Hearst. While touring we met with Alex who produces video content for Cosmopolitan. We also met with Katy who works in Hearst’s library preserving the back catalog.
We also sat in on a panel featuring various editors and digital editors from Hearst brands, including, Matt Hill – Editor in Chief of Digital Spy, Amy Lane – Digital Editor of Women’s Health, Kenya Hunt – Deputy Editor and Fashion Features Director of Elle, Jess Edwards – Editor of Cosmo.com/uk, and Lena, the moderator, from Elle. The panel focused on how to engage with your audience and the ways they have been able to engage in creative or unique ways. Jess made a really great point in the panel that I really liked. She said that it is important to know what kind of engagement you need for that specific time because engagement is something that can and will change from day to day and week to week.
After our visit with Hearst, we got lunch at a UK favorite, Nando’s. Nando’s is famous for their peri peri chicken, which is exactly what I got! It very much held up to my expectations.
After lunch, we explored London some more, as it is our last day here. For dinner, we went to a Thai food restaurant fairly close to our hotel, then bought some English treats to try. Most of them were from the Cadbury brand and they were delicious!
Tonight is our last night in London and we head to Windsor tomorrow to tour Windsor Castle!