Christopher Coates

Christopher Coates Email and Phone Number

Director and Editor-at-Large @ Paragraph Publishing Limited
Edinburgh, GB
Christopher Coates's Location
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
About Christopher Coates

Christopher is an experienced publisher and managing editor with a demonstrated history of commercial magazine publishing, brand development, editorial, photography, content marketing, P&L, project management, NPD, digital communications, and regional sales management in the premium spirits, luxury goods, and travel sectors. After joining Paragraph Ltd in 2013, Christopher was named as Scotch Whisky Editor of Whisky Magazine and Managing Editor of Scotland Magazine in 2016. In 2018 he was appointed as Publisher and joined the Paragraph leadership team. After managing a redevelopment of Scotland Magazine and overseeing significant newsstand sale and profit growth, he prepared the title for sale to another publisher in May 2019 as part of Paragraph's refocus on drinks media. Throughout 2019 he led the NPD strategy of Travelux, a B2C title that celebrates the spirit of luxury brands in global travel retail; Rum Magazine, an annual bookazine for the newsstand; and Scotch Whisky Magazine, an annual collection of his writing on Scotch whisky. In 2020, Christopher helped Paragraph respond to the Covid-19 pandemic by developing Whisky Live At Home, a D2C experience to stand in for the company's popular in-person Whisky Live London event. From the ground up, he developed the supply chain, packaging, brand identity, and product, overseeing the creation of the most comprehensive remote tasting experience seen in the UK to date: up to 56 different 30ml spirit samples were sent to over 700 ticket holders.In September 2020, Christopher was named as Head of Content for Paragraph, Editor of Whisky Magazine, and the chair of both the World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky Awards. Leading a team of in-house editors, international contributors and external agencies, he oversaw the growth and success of Paragraph's entire stable of drinks publications, including American Whiskey Magazine and Gin Magazine.In 2021, Christopher produced Whisky Magazine's first documentary film: A Life In Whisky – The Dennis Malcolm Story. Telling the story of The Glen Grant master distiller's life, the film had a run time of 40 minutes and was nominated as a Global Top 10 broadcast at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. In September 2022, Christopher was named Director of the newly formed partnered content division of Paragraph, the Paragraph Partnership. He continues with Whisky Magazine as Editor-At-Large, writing a regular column and reviewing whiskies as one of the title’s blind tasters. He also remains the Chair of the WWA and Icons of Whisky competitions.

Christopher Coates's Current Company Details
Paragraph Publishing Limited

Paragraph Publishing Limited

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Director and Editor-at-Large
Edinburgh, GB
Employees:
31
Christopher Coates Work Experience Details
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Director And Editor-At-Large
    Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Edinburgh, Gb
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Director & Editor-At-Large
    Paragraph Publishing Limited Sep 2022 - Present
    Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
    Christopher is Director of the newly formed partnered content division of Paragraph, the Paragraph Partnership. He continues with Whisky Magazine as Editor-At-Large, writing a regular column and reviewing whiskies as one of the title’s blind tasters. He also remains the Chair of the WWA and Icons of Whisky competitions.The Paragraph Partnership will develop branded content for distillers, suppliers, retailers and the on and off trade throughout the world, harnessing the Paragraph brands and all media channels available, including print, social, digital and in-person experiences.Clients will work with the Paragraph Partnership team to create specialist drinks content and influencer campaigns to target and engage their desired audience via any channel, accessing through the Partnership the world’s leading authorities on drinks media and marketing.
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Head Of Content & Editor Of Whisky Magazine
    Paragraph Publishing Limited Oct 2020 - Sep 2022
    Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Publisher & Managing Editor
    Paragraph Publishing Limited Jan 2018 - Oct 2020
    Edinburgh
    A member of the Paragraph leadership team, I have overall responsibility for the brand development, print and digital strategy, product delivery and profitability of my titles. This includes management of editorial, design, production, digital, circulation and marketing teams to drive the business success of: – Travelux, the world's first B2C drinks title for GTR. This luxury publication is distributed free to readers in airport lounges and to the trade at TFWA Cannes & Singapore. –Rum Magazine, an annual print 'bookazine' for the newsstand and specialist retail. – Scotch Whisky Magazine, an annual print 'bookazine' for the newsstand and specialist retail. Until their sale to another publisher in May 2019:– Scotland Magazine, a bi-monthly travel title with 100,000 readers per issue and 18,000 subscribers. – Scotland's Best and Ireland's Best, annual print 'bookazines' for the newsstand and specialist retail.
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Scotch Whisky Editor, Whisky Magazine
    Paragraph Publishing Limited Dec 2015 - Oct 2020
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom
    Leading the category of Scotch whisky for Whisky Magazine. This includes:- Research, interviews and copywriting - Photography and photo research- Digital Comms / Social Media- Public speaking at Whisky Magazine's events. This includes masterclasses and the presentation of its industry awards and annual Whiskies & Spirits Conference. The role also entails coordination of exhibitor stands and ownership of the magazine's own exhibition space at the flagship Whisky Live festival, which takes place each year in London and welcomes 2000 guests over two days.
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Managing Editor, Scotland Magazine
    Paragraph Publishing Limited Dec 2015 - May 2019
    Edinburgh
    This role involved the full financial and creative planning of Scotland Magazine, a bi-monthly printed publication with a global readership of over 100k per issue. In three years I successfully redeveloped the title's content strategy, project managed a redesign, launched and grew key social media channels to >10K followers, moved the title into newsstand growth in the UK and North America, stabilised and grew the annual subscriber base and increased the title's profit by 35%YOY. Redevelopment complete, the title was prepared for sale and successfully sold in May 2019.This role included:- Overall P&L responsibility - Commissioning, feature writing, sub-editing, photo research - R&I to improve the product and grow subscriptions using data-driven insights - Overall responsibility and control of contributor, production, marketing, distribution and fulfilment budgets- Briefing internal and external design, marketing and editorial teams - Working with the commercial team to deliver agreed client content marketing campaigns within set budgets, in order to deliver on pre-agreed KPIs- The strategic management of Scotland Magazine's social media channels. Focus on growing audience engagement, delivering tailored sponsored content marketing campaigns and increasing subscription conversion. Grew social channels from 0 to >10k followers each with 14% organic engagement. - Responsibile for Scotland Magazine's data capture, consumer database and CRM strategy.
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Research Editor, Scottish Hotel Awards
    Paragraph Publishing Limited Dec 2015 - Mar 2017
    The Scottish Hotel Awards scheme works with over 150 quality establishments in Scotland, with the aim of inspiring excellence in hospitality and highlighting best practice to the wider tourism industry. The scheme promotes its members online and in print via Scotland Magazine's 'Scottish Hotel Guide', in order to drive direct commission-free bookings. The annual process culminates with the Scottish Hotel Awards, a gala dinner for over 500 hospitality professionals, at which the most outstanding people and properties are recognised. This role includes the following:- Conducting announced overnight research visits at member properties. These visits produce internal briefs for the continuous assessment process and editorial content for our print and online channels. - Content management of print editorial relating to the scheme.- Conducting overnight mystery judging visits
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    National Sales Manager (Scotland)
    Paragraph Publishing Limited Jul 2013 - Dec 2015
    Scotland
    I represented Paragraph's brands in a B2B & B2C capacity in-market. Ambassadorial in nature, commercial in practice; I liaised with Scotland's drinks, tourism and hospitality industries, and managed all advertising, membership and sponsorship sales to our clients in Scotland. My role required working closely with our design, editorial, judging and events teams to drive ongoing product development and ensure our partners' key messages were communicated effectively. I also co-managed our social media accounts and identified, developed and implemented key consumer PR-opportunities in Scotland.The role included:- Relationship management for all of Paragraph's Scottish clients (Drinks distillers/distributors, retailers, hotels, visitor attractions, industry suppliers)- Working remotely in-market, with regular field sales travel.- Business development across all Paragraph products- Advertising sales for Whisky Magazine, Scotland Magazine, TheDrinksReport.com- Membership and sponsorship sales for the Scottish Hotel Awards- Stand and sponsorship sales for Whisky LIVE festivals- Securing drinks producers' entries into the World Whiskies Awards / World Drinks Awards- Product audit and commercial development- Liaising with / briefing editorial, design, events and judging teams (internal and freelance) - Copy-writing / proofing- Development of a new digital marketing strategy- Working with the team to deliver successful consumer and trade events including Whisky LIVE London (2000 attendees)
  • Paragraph Publishing Limited
    Membership And Sponsorship Manager — Scottish Hotel Awards
    Paragraph Publishing Limited Jul 2013 - Oct 2015
    Edinburgh
    The Scottish Hotel Awards was added to Paragraph's portfolio in May 2014. My role comprised of:- Product audit, strategy planning & implementation of redevelopment plan following the takeover- Account management of existing members (Primarily Hotels of 4* and above)- Growing the membership by liaising with key hotel industry decision makers / Sales- Briefing our panel of expert researchers & judges / Team Management- Copy-writing, brand development & social media management. / Communications/Brand Management- Working with the team and our sponsors to deliver a successful industry-leading event for over 500 guests
  • World Drinks Awards
    Chair Of Judges
    World Drinks Awards Jan 2020 - Mar 2024
    Chair of Judges of the World Whiskies Awards & Icons of Whisky competitions, responsible for appointing judging panels, writing judging and category criteria, and reviewing all entries.
  • The Scotch Whisky Experience
    Sales
    The Scotch Whisky Experience Apr 2013 - Jul 2013
    Edinburgh
    My position at the Scotch Whisky Experience required that I adapt my sales skills to both a new product and a FMCG environment, utilising my ability to cater to specific customer needs, influence and up-sell under strict time constraints. The role involves daily monitoring of stock levels, dealing with high-volume deliveries and strictly managing merchandising in order to accurately represent our shareholders and stakeholders. As a five-star visitor attraction directly owned by the spirits industry, my role required I act as an ambassador for the industry as a whole in order to foster immediate and future sales.The position entailed:· Delivering an exceptional sales experience in a fast-paced environment, often communicating withinternational clients and those unfamiliar with the product. This includes daily sales conducted in Spanish.· Balancing continuous merchandising and stock-management duties with customer care; requiring perfect communication with the team and awareness of immediate customer needs.· Passionately selling in a manner which both emphasises up-selling and add-on sales, but importantly elicits enduring enthusiasm and interest in the clients, with the aim of fostering future business for our stakeholders.· Enthusiastically engaging and selling to large groups, requiring a blend of both sales and showmanship in order to generate business from all visitors. This depends upon my ability to hold the attention of large groups in order to both educate and maximise sales.· Quick development of in-depth whisky industry and product knowledge in order to deliver an informed and educational sales experience.
  • Aurum Holdings
    Sales Consultant (Watches Of Switzerland)
    Aurum Holdings Sep 2008 - Feb 2013
    Edinburgh
    This role required that I hone my ability to initiate, develop and maintain both private and corporate client relationships to foster repeat business; the utilisation of influencing techniques to take control of high-value sales negotiations in order to up-sell; and exceeding demanding targets in a competitive local environment. This required effective communication in person, on the phone and in writing; the provision of a market-leading customer experience, tailored to the specific needs of each client and exceeding expectations even when under pressure or inhibited by time constraints.The position entailed:· Adapting interactions to meet the needs of a diverse clientèle; including members of the general public, prominent Scottish sports-people, businesses and destination shoppers.· Managing large client lists, monitoring/updating sales figures, controlling stock levels and arranging VIP events; which required a high-degree of numeracy and strong organisational skill.· Telephone sales with overseas VIP clients. Organisation of international payments and subsequent delivery.· Using my initiative to deliver creative solutions to problems, while working effectively both individually and as part of the team in order to deliver optimum results for internal and external stakeholders.· Daily business with Chinese customers, which made effective communication and an understanding of Chinese culture vital in order to overcome objections and close sales.· Ongoing personal research and retention of large volumes of detailed information regarding speciality timepieces and the watch industry. Utilising this specialist knowledge was key to appropriately tailoring the experience for each client.· Thinking creatively to resolve complaints - both in person and over the phone - in order to satisfy and restore the faith of disgruntled clients; while minimising extra costs and negative impacts on the business.

Christopher Coates Skills

Sales Advertising Customer Experience Luxury Goods Visual Merchandising Retail Management Publishing Sponsorship Time Management Social Media Neuro Linguistic Programming Stock Management B2b Social Networking Brand Development Account Management Market Research Merchandising Interviews Customer Service Research Data Analysis Database Administration Marketing Research Marketing Communications Social Media Marketing New Business Development Sales Management Project Management Content Marketing Copywriting Sponsorship Sales Showmanship Managing Agency Relationships Adobe Indesign Copy Editing Digital Photography Brand Management Marketing Strategy Digital Marketing Content Strategy Content Production Adobe Creative Cloud

Christopher Coates Education Details

  • The University Of Edinburgh
    The University Of Edinburgh
    International Relations

Frequently Asked Questions about Christopher Coates

What company does Christopher Coates work for?

Christopher Coates works for Paragraph Publishing Limited

What is Christopher Coates's role at the current company?

Christopher Coates's current role is Director and Editor-at-Large.

What schools did Christopher Coates attend?

Christopher Coates attended The University Of Edinburgh.

What skills is Christopher Coates known for?

Christopher Coates has skills like Sales, Advertising, Customer Experience, Luxury Goods, Visual Merchandising, Retail, Management, Publishing, Sponsorship, Time Management, Social Media, Neuro Linguistic Programming.

Who are Christopher Coates's colleagues?

Christopher Coates's colleagues are Jan Goodchild, Louise Mcdonald, Phoebe Calver, Tim A'court, Alec Mcdonnell, David T Smith, Nathan Sturman.

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