2. What The Media Want - Alison Davidson - Editor - The English Home

22 minutes

Description

Episode Summary:

In this episode of What the Media Wants, Nikki Snell chats with Alison Davidson, the editor of The English Home Magazine. With over 30 years in interiors and lifestyle publishing, Alison shares what it takes to get featured in one of the UK’s top heritage home titles. From the types of images she needs, to the PR mistakes that make her hit delete, Alison opens up about how PRs can better support editorial teams in 2025.

Guest Bio:

Alison Davidson is the editor of The English Home and has worked across top titles as a home editor, stylist, and freelance interiors writer. Her career has spanned staff roles, freelance writing, social content, and brand collaborations. She currently leads the team at The English Home, managing both print and growing digital content.

What We Cover:

– Alison’s journey from fashion journalism to interiors

– What The English Home looks for in homes and features

– Why traditional style still leads — and how it’s evolving

– Key magazine sections PRs should know about

– The importance of high-res cutouts and lifestyle imagery

– Social and newsletter strategy at The English Home

– Lead times, deadlines, and pitching windows

– Examples of successful PR pitches

– What not to do when contacting the team

– Current and upcoming editorial themes (e.g. window treatments, wool month, Christmas)

– Sponsorship and commercial opportunities

– How Alison likes to unwind (hint: quilts and sea swimming)

Audience & Demographics:

Mainly women aged 45+, affluent homeowners, well-versed in decorating, and looking for quality, timeless interiors inspiration.

Pitching Tips from Alison:

– Understand the tone and style of The English Home

– Only send traditional or heritage-feeling products

– Avoid ultra-modern or low-quality imagery

– Always include high-res visuals directly in your email

– PRs should include expert commentary when possible

– Think seasonal and forward — especially for print

– Best to avoid pitching near deadlines or on Fridays

– Digital team can feature timely content with quick turnaround

– Keep subject lines clear and relevant

Upcoming Editorial Focus:

– Window treatments, trims, tiebacks

– Furniture layouts and lamps

– Autumn/Winter collections

– Wool Month features

– Christmas supplement and seasonal styling

– 25 Years of Craftsmanship — featuring longstanding British heritage brands

About the Magazine:

The English Home is a leading interiors publication celebrating classic British style. With 210,000 print readers, it boasts 13 UK issues and 6 US editions annually, outperforming many competitors in global sales and subscriber base.

22 Jul 2025