FIPP Rising Star Rachel Arthur: “Collecting that award sparked a lot of positive changes across all different aspects of my life”
The FIPP Rising Stars in Media Awards 2019, kindly supported by UPM – The Biofore Company, recognise outstanding work in the global media industry. Winners will be announced at the FIPP World Media Congress Opening Reception taking place in Las Vegas on 12 November 2019. Deadline has been extended! Entries are open now and the new deadline is Friday 4 October 2019.
23 questions for FIPP Rising Star Rachel Arthur
1. What’s your current role?
I run a triple stranded business which is comprised of Boom Saloon, a print magazine working to democratise creativity for good; the Boom Room, a creative studio specialising in design, editorial and strategy for good; and Boom Projects, an ongoing series of community projects which use creativity to inspire and empower. Both Boom Saloon and the Boom Room directly support our projects in a pretty special business model which took some time to come together – and is consistently being refined!
2. How did you get there?
Growing up, I always loved Art and English – my role now is a perfect combination of the two, with the addition of giving back that became so important to me whilst studying fashion and seeing first hand the horrors that such creative industries can inflict upon our world, alongside the vast inequalities so rife in the education sector. Thanks to various naysayers, disbelievers and challengers, the path to here was anything but smooth – but I really wouldn’t change a thing about the journey. It’d definitely been made possible thanks to the many supporters, mentors and cheerleaders who have helped me along the way; without them, I’m certain I’d still be back at square one with nothing more than a crazy idea no one would listen to.
3. What are your passions?
I read a lot of articles about work life balance and avoiding burnout… for a long time I was pretty sceptical about this all but perhaps something subconsciously sunk in as I make more time for activities now than I have in a long time. I can’t stand the gym but sports are definitely my bag and help me switch off from the challenges of business.
4. Where is home, where are you based?
Based in Edinburgh, home is anywhere wild and green.
5. What do you like most about your city?
The people. The architecture. Watching the sunrise from Calton Hill, nursing the remnants of a wild night with a Project Coffee juice and doing it all again with new found friends.
6. What did you want to do when you grew up?
Actress. Always the drama queen, apparently…
7. How’s your typical work day?
There’s no such thing! Dependent on which of the three strands of Boom is taking priority, I could be working across a range of different tasks – this can admittedly be a huge challenge as the to do list is never ending but I think there’s a definite buzz around working on something fresh and new every day.
8. An overrated slang word or term in the media industry…
Community.
9. How did it feel and what did it mean to be a Highly Commended Rising Star in Media winner?
I almost didn’t make it to the Rising Stars awards ceremony – I’m not based in London and, as a fledgling publisher, any trip needs to be carefully considered and justified. Luckily, someone stepped up at the last gasp to remind me of the importance of celebrating the successes when we’re all so keen to lament the failures – I owe him a lot for that reminder. Taking that trip and collecting that award sparked a lot of positive changes across all different aspects of my life; it was the start of some very special relationships and the nurturing of others.
10. How has this recognition helped you in the past year?
I think it can help greatly to have the clout of a global organisation behind you, but, further to the recognition, I’ve personally found that it’s the support of the FIPP team that has meant the most.
11. What advice would you give to other young people in the industry?
Be careful of taking other’s word as gospel; even if they’re the “expert,” sometimes it’s good to trust yourself and your own instinct.
12. What areas of the industry excite you going forward?
Genuine community, collaboration, a special little something we’re working on around distribution… more to follow soon…
13. What are the attributes that you feel benefitted you in winning this award, that you can pass on to others?
An understanding of the importance of your network in supporting you, appreciation for your own achievements.
14. What’s been the most memorable thing you’ve taken from your job in the past 12 months?
The feeling of building something which extends further than the people you know directly – looking around the room at our last launch party to realise I knew very few of the crowd was an odd but strangely moving moment. It feels like we’re starting a very special movement with Boom and I’m really proud of all that we’ve done to get us to this point.
15. What’s the most recent professional skill that you have acquired?
The power to say no.
16. Who do you look up to in the industry?
Penny Martin. If one day I can speak about Boom Saloon with the grace, dignity and succinctness that she speaks of The Gentlewoman with, I’ll be very happy.
17. What’s the best bit of your job?
Uncovering and getting to collaborate with extraordinary talents all around the world.
18. How do you unwind when work is stressing you a lot?
Going somewhere wild and green.
19. A song that pumps you for work.
Get up, Young Fathers.
20. What would you tell your 16 year old self?
Life is mad but life is amazing – chill out and enjoy the ride.
21. In another life, what would you have been?
Florist; no funerals though.
22. What’s next in your career?
Some big announcements…
23. Why should young people in the industry apply for the FIPP Rising Stars in Media?
To remind them of how much they’ve already achieved
The FIPP Rising Stars in Media Awards 2019, kindly supported by UPM – The Biofore Company, recognise outstanding work in the global media industry. Winners will be announced at the FIPP World Media Congress Opening Reception taking place in Las Vegas on 12 November 2019. Deadline has been extended! Entries are open now and the new deadline is Friday 4 October 2019.
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