MARCUS HAWKINS-ADAMS

CEO of ICG Media, dish’s parent company

ICG CEO Marcus collaborates with Sarah on overarching editorial direction – in between supporting several other titles. He tells us about how dish fits into the magazine world.

How long have you worked for dish?

Marcus: I started just a few months before Sarah, so in early 2019.

What does your day-to-day job involve?

Marcus: I support dish wherever I can and especially by providing strategic input, especially around audiences and insights. When Sarah arrived, she suggested surveying the people who engage with dish and asking them what they liked and what they didn’t like. We found that people wanted content that was just as deliciously tasty but a bit easier to do, which really came down to time. I help the team in whatever way I can to take that insight and run with it – it’s the ethos behind the dish FAST cookbook, for example.

How does dish fit into the magazine landscape more broadly?

Marcus: I think what differentiates us is that we treat our readers and users as part of our community; as friends. We see dish as a community of people passionate about food and living and we spent lots of time not just on the mag but also on the website and social and events. Also, the personalities that drive our brand – from vivacious Sarah’s to Liam’s quirky sense of humour – are great and just help build that community even more. dish is made by real people for real people and that’s part of its overall charm.

What’s your favourite part of your job?

Marcus: I love when we get feedback from people who say, “I tried this recipe and it was fabulous” or “you pushed me to try something more ambitious”. It’s really nice getting those personal anecdotes about how we’ve made a difference to people’s eating habits and lives.

And your least favourite?

Marcus: I honestly can’t think of anything!

What’s been your best moment at dish so far?

Marcus: Obviously, winning the Supreme Magazine award was such a spectacular way for the team to get rewarded for all the hard work they’ve put in. But on a daily basis, it’s really nice working with a team that you have to hold back a bit as opposed to push.