Dickon Ross

1 month ago | inpublishing.co.uk | Dickon Ross

For a while back in 1998, our editor and all of us staff were worried. The BBC was launching a magazine against us, using the Tomorrow’s World (TW) brand. And in those days, the BBC enjoyed free marketing time at the end of their programme, reaching millions of potential magazine buyers. We were worried about what it would do to our sales. Since then, I have had mixed feelings about the BBC — and if you too have ever had the BBC or its licensees up against you, you will know what I mean.

Dec 9, 2024 | railmagazine.com | Dickon Ross

As I write this, Christmas is just two weeks away. Soon, millions will be criss-crossing the country to see families and friends for the festive period. ‘Tis the season to be jolly - the most wonderful time of the year. Or is it? When you find yourself on Christmas Eve in a ten-mile tailback on the M6, and running out of time to make it to your home town’s local pub.

Nov 5, 2024 | railmagazine.com | Dickon Ross

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy has publicly apologised for a sentence in a letter sent to a supplier concerning an employee who had raised safety concerns over Euston station. The letter, sent by Hendy in May when he was Chair of Network Rail, was addressed to Systra CEO Nick Salt and concerned consultant Gareth Dennis who had described Euston as “not just unpleasant, but unsafe” in an article published in the Independent newspaper in May of this year.

Oct 14, 2024 | inpublishing.co.uk | Dickon Ross

Generative AI is producing some efficiency gains but “nothing truly invaluable” said DMG Media CEO Rich Caccappolo. Such applications are now very common be it in publishing or in other sectors. My own straw poll of friends and family finds people using AI to write letters, to transcribe recordings, or conjure up images. A movie-maker is using it for ‘clean-up’ in production that before would take ages by hand.

Sep 18, 2024 | railmagazine.com | Dickon Ross

Local authorities in the North East of England have revealed the first celebrations to mark the bicentenary of the first passenger rail passenger journey nearly 200 years ago. At Darlington Hippodrome today, they launched a major local festival starting in March next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in September. The nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take place across County Durham and Tees Valley from March to November 2025.