The FLIP: Finding Readers in an Age of Disinformation & Distraction

The FLIP: Finding Readers in an Age of Disinformation & Distraction

This week, Inspired Search, our executive search division, was delighted to sponsor The Flip's latest event, Finding Readers in an Age of Disinformation & Distraction. Inspired Search’s MD, Abigail Barclay, had the pleasure of attending and shares her thoughts with you here. 

The importance of books in today’s world

At a point where every industry seems to be wrestling with AI, fragmented attention spans, declining trust and endless noise, the evening was a brilliant reminder of why publishing matters so much and why working in it is so very important! 

The panel – Sarah Wynn-Williams: Author of Careless People, Cynthia Hamilton: Head of Marketing and PR at The History Press, Oenone Forbat:  Host of the Everything is Content podcast and Mercy Smartt: Founder and bookseller at the book-ends – opened the event with a succinct perspective on the role of Books in today’s landscape. ‘Changing’ and ‘connection’ were mentioned and the audience polls described books as "crucial" and "essential". We completely agree; books and reading really are ‘must-haves’ in today’s world. They remain one of the few places where we can slow down, think deeply and encounter perspectives that challenge our own, creating curiosity ad connection. 

In fact, ‘connection’ was a recurring theme throughout the evening and the idea that such a solitary activity has the power to generate so much of that connection, in so many ways, is incredible. The panel talked about those extraordinary moments when a reader discovers a passage that perfectly captures a feeling they thought nobody else had ever experienced. That recognition. That sense of being seen. This is what we are giving people when we work so hard to create books. 

That isn't to say other platforms don't have value. A fair challenge from the panel was that people can experience similar moments of connection through memes, TikToks and online communities. Publishing doesn't need to position itself in opposition to technology at all. However, it does need to champion the unique role that reading plays in developing empathy, judgement, imagination and critical thinking. Particularly so as AI becomes a bigger part of our daily lives.

AI of course came up at several points throughout the evening, naturally with a variety of perspectives and reactions. Overall, though, there was a refreshing sense of realism towards the topic. At one point Joanna Prior, CEO of Pan Macmillan, summed up the industry's tendency to create false choices perfectly. We don’t have to pick our side: books and AI can coexist, technology and creativity can coexist, innovation and tradition can coexist. Both things can be true.

What this means for publishing leadership 

Given our role in executive search, we naturally found ourselves thinking more about the future of leadership and this was beautifully brought to life in the conversation between Joanna Prior, CEO of Pan Macmillan and Rebecca Sinclair, Chief Brand Officer of Penguin Random House UK. Having spent years working together, learning from one another and now leading in different organisations within the industry, they offered a masterclass in the long-term value of relationships.

In recruitment & executive search, we often tell people that their network matters and a phrase from the evening that really stuck with us was: "Your network is your scaffolding." So often it can be thought of as a safety net but it’s far more than that. It’s your scaffolding. What a powerful image! The structure that helps support your growth throughout your career.

You build your networks right from day one, and both leaders spoke candidly about their early publishing careers. Like many of us, they started with tasks that were repetitive, administrative and occasionally thankless. Nobody's career begins with a keynote speech and a prestigious job title. What carried them through was a genuine love of publishing and the people within it. This was an excellent reminder to pause and reflect on our own careers and celebrate them. Sometimes we spend so much time focusing on the next promotion that we forget to enjoy being part of an industry that genuinely changes lives. And books really do! 

Both Joanna and Rebecca spoke warmly about the influence of another female leader, former Pearson CEO Marjorie Scardino. Years later, they could still quote her advice and describe the values she embodied. That's the thing about great leadership, and why its such a privilege to have a leadership position. Your teams will remember your values, remember your behaviours, remember how you made decisions when things became difficult. You’re constantly in a position of paying good work forward.

Looking ahead

As the evening drew to a close, there was a call for a Decade of Reading rather than simply a National Year of Reading. There is so much work to be done and in a world with an increasing number of distractions and disinformation, bringing up a generation who can think critically and creatively is vital. 

It's why publishing matters. And it's exactly why we were so proud to support The Flip and this important conversation.

Head here for more insight from Inspired Search on gender equity in publishing leadership or contact Inspired Search’s MD, Abigail Barclay, for a conversation.