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Luke Nester

Licensing - Europe

 

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the working day: so what was on the menu this morning?

The Millennial Special – Avocado on toast with two poached eggs. Very cliche.

Sum up what you do at News UK in the shortest sentence possible.

Sell journalism.

Lay a bit of context on that?

We package the award winning content generated across the business and make it available (for a fee) to Newspapers, TV stations and Magazines around the world.

What attracted you to the role in the first place?

I’ve always had an interest in journalism and I love working with customers from around the world. I was first exposed to The Sun when I worked on building sites during my school holidays and my Dad would pick up The Sunday Times every week. I knew a few people in the building and they all had positive things to say about working here.

What’s the most interesting/challenging part of your job?

I have the chance to travel and learn about foreign media and press.

The most challenging part of the job is keeping all parties (customer, PR and editorial) happy.

What are the three most important things on your working agenda today?

Organising sales meetings in Scandinavia.

Finding archive images to pitch to clients. We have thousands of negatives of David Bowie, The Clash and Janis Joplin, to name a few.

Finalising a contract with a German educational publisher. They use news clippings to teach English to German speakers.

How does Licensing work with the rest of the business?

We raise the profile of the business internationally and provide a return on investment for all the content produced by News UK.

Last book, film, binge watch and sounds you consumed?

Book – A Moveable Feast, on my bedside table for when I can’t sleep. It makes me look and feel more cultured than I am.

Film – Ladybird.

Watch – Mindhunter.

Sounds – Maribou State, Portraits.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

I’d push for Timothee Chalamet but end up settling on Danny DeVito.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

95% of your business is none of your business.

What one bit of advice would you give someone wanting to do your job?

Read, listen and watch as much as possible about current events and history.

As the working day comes to a close, who would be your three Fantasy Dinner Party guests? And why?

Anthony Loyd. I read everything he writes. He’d have some unbelievable stories.

Stephen Graham. I’d watch him in anything.

Friend/Family member. What’s the point if you can’t share it with someone you care about.