Name: Malcolm Stoodley
Company / Division: Future Publishing 
Job title: Advertising Director
Responsible for (products - titles/websites/data):
All of the above and more -Magazines, Websites, events, social media, podcasts, CD sales, On Console shows, Radio & Media Partnerships.
First sales job: Telesales, Observer Newspaper
Time in media sales:
19 years!
Talk us through a typical day:
6:00 am - Get kids & dog's breakfast, take wife cup of tea.
7:30 am - train, start reading all yesterday's emails & any relevant trade press.
8:30 am - in the office, a typical day would involve Directors' 1-2-1s and coaching, joint-calling with sales staff, producing sales presentations to amplify the "Future Effect" of our media, a significant amount of on-floor banter, liaising with publishers, and finally, looking at the numbers generated daily from 45 sales professionals selling integrated multi-platform solutions to clients in Film, Games, Rock music, Technology, and Design.
What has been your biggest achieve in media sales?
1. Watching the Ad Sales Department in London at Future become very professional, innovative, and service-driven & develop a winning culture.
2. I can't take away the pride of my old ex-team at IPC, they were a bit special!
What has been your hardest challenge in your career?
Dealing with the tragic death of our colleague and friend, Danny Ward-Lee. He has not and will not be forgotten.
Who do you hold in high regard in the industry and why?
I have worked with some very talented and driven individuals and many more less so! Standouts: Sly Bailey & Philippa Brown - both brilliant in completely different ways. Sales-wise: Sam Finlay, Mark Reen and Kate MacKenzie at IPC, were completely bonkers but very good. The team I have assembled at Future have massive potential & are already delivering exceptional work.
What is advice to those thinking about starting a career in media sales?
The job is simple if you do two things constantly & consistently:
1. Work hard
2. Think
Both equally important.
What do you look for when hiring staff?
Attitude, behaviour, problem-solving abilities, and that bit of magic that adds something to the team and department.
If there is one question you wanted answering in interviews (from candidates), what is it?
I have read your C.V. why should I hire you? I am interested in what research they have done on the company, department, my self, and how they can apply this learning to our team and culture.
What are your three tips to a successful career in media sales? 
1. Don't be too proud to learn from all levels (above & below.)
2. Don't repeat bad management you encounter in our career but learn from it.
3. What is your brand & what do you stand for, define it and stick to it.
Yes or no, do you believe anyone can sell? Why?
No, only clever people who work hard & think can be good at selling.
Finally, tell us why you love media sales?
What is not to like about working with people who get out of bed everyday and look forward to a new, and often unique, challenge. Oh, and I still encourage my people to lunch and entertain clients and I pay them for it!
