Attitude and Winq magazine editorial teams to merge: Matt Cain appointed editor-in-chief
Darren Styles, the managing director of Stream Publishing, today announced that the Attitude and Winq magazine editorial teams are to merge, with Matt Cain appointed editor-in-chief of both titles. Cain will also act as a spokesperson for the brands across all media.
Cliff Joannou, meantime, after a six-month stint as acting editor, has been confirmed as Attitude’s editor while former editorial director Matthew Todd assumes the title of editor-at-large, following the success of his first book, Straight Jacket. Winq’s former features editor, Adam Duxbury, becomes deputy editor of both magazines.
Matt Cain spent 10 years making arts and entertainment programmes for ITV before stepping in front of the camera in 2010 to become Channel 4 News’ first ever culture editor. His first novel, Shot Through the Heart, was published in 2014 and his second, Nothing But Trouble, in 2015. He’s written articles for The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Sun, The Daily Mail and The Daily Telegraph. He was nominated for Stonewall’s journalist of the year award in 2011 and as its writer of the year in 2014.
Cain says: “Over the years, Attitude has been a great friend to me and, like many gay men, I’ve always felt a strong emotional attachment to the magazine. As a writer, I’ve loved contributing to it and it’s an honour now to be coming on board as editor-in-chief.
“I’m lucky to find Attitude in great shape and am really looking forward to working with Cliff Joannou, Matthew Todd and every member of the talented team to make the magazine bigger, better and stronger than ever. Managing director Darren Styles has exciting plans for both Attitude and Winq and how they’ll work together to serve their readers and the wider LGBT+ community. I feel privileged to be a part of this and energised by the challenges of my new role,” he adds.
Matt’s first issues of Attitude and Winq will appear on newsstands in 2017. He’ll also oversee the online presence of both titles, which will be relaunched in the new year.
Darren Styles, who was recently recognised on the OUTstanding list as one of the UK’s 100 leading LGBT+ executives by the Financial Times, comments: “Matt Cain’s previous experience on both Attitude and Winq in a freelance capacity gives him a unique insight into the positioning and readership of both titles. His energy, passion and enthusiasm in the position of editor-in-chief will make a major contribution to securing our market-leading position and bring a series of exciting new ideas and initiatives to life.”
Details of an expanded commercial team will be announced in due course.
Further information:
Matt Cain – @MattCainWriter
Darren Styles – @ByDarrenStyles
