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John McCarthy

Opinion Editor at The Drum | + Comms and Publishing Strategy

John McCarthy is a seasoned journalist based in Glasgow, Scotland, who currently serves as the Opinion Editor at The Drum, a modern marketing and media publication.134

Professional Background

Career Progression

McCarthy has been with The Drum for over a decade, steadily advancing through various roles:

  • Reporter (June 2014 - March 2021)
  • Media Editor (March 2021 - June 2023)
  • Online Senior Reporter (September 2018 - Present)
  • Opinion Editor (June 2023 - Present)13

Professional Focus

He specializes in covering marketing, advertising, and media stories, with a particular emphasis on:

  • Interviewing industry leaders like CMOs
  • Providing unique angles on industry trends
  • Exploring the less flattering aspects of the marketing world1

Education and Skills

  • Graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BA in Multimedia Journalism (2012-2014)1
  • Experienced in:
    • Social media
    • Video production
    • Graphic design
    • SEO
    • Copywriting

Additional Professional Details

  • Prior to joining The Drum full-time, he worked as a Freelance PR Consultant & Copywriter from 2012 to 20181
  • Describes himself as a "confident speaker" available for media appearances1
  • Active on social media, with a Twitter bio that emphasizes loving "the people making ads, more than the ads"2

Highlights

Aug 30 · linkedin

How would McCarthy Creativity save the Mastercard brand you ask? Well this ad in Big Apple Maddison Square Central Park for starters would do it.

Now it's worth saying that this isn't not not an ad that does not exist. But it could if it did. Is that clear enough for you? #Advertising #Marketing #Comms

Aug 29 · linkedin

Sex sells. In a world of sanitized, passionless sludge these Jeremy Allen White Calvin Klein ads are absolute filth. And I am here for it. 🙈

Is it time to make advertising SEXY again? I'm old enough to remember when there were boobies in the newspaper, a women consumed the irresistible Lynx/Axe man, and we ought to forget that year when everyone just casually read 50 Shades of bondage erotica on the train.

Now it is good that we are aware of sexism, objectification and tropes now but creators, be it advertisers or movie-makers fear the fine line between sex appeal and objectification. There are good reasons for this, be it the puritanitcal social mob that bemoans any on-screen romance (especially same sex), the FKA Twigs Calvin Klein ad got banned for being too lurid (she was just like sitting/existing) and social media is more intent policing imagery of women than hate speech... so yeah, I get it.

But when you navigate all that and pull it off, you jam your product into the wank banks of millions. I'll be hitting the gym tonight trying to achieve that unachieveable wet Jerry aesthetic, and after that, trying to think of anything but that sleek pantsman as I grip tightly and jealously onto my heterosexuality.

Listen, smart people, let me know what you think on this? Are we seeing a trend back to the good stuff, ads you shamefully replay in the bathroom. Could you get away with the same film featuring a woman? And are we all maybe ready to be a bit more honest that these ideas are really, really sticky.

We might use your thoughts down the line, we have a lil fashion focus cookin' on The Drum in a few weeks, and as you can tell from my scattered post-holiday thoughts, need a lot of help. Give me a 'Yes chef'! ☔ 💪

Related Questions

What are some of John McCarthy's most notable articles at The Drum?
How has John McCarthy's career evolved since he started at The Drum?
What unique perspectives does John McCarthy bring to his role as opinion editor?
How does John McCarthy's background in multimedia journalism influence his work?
What are some of the biggest marketing and advertising stories John McCarthy has covered?
John McCarthy
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Location

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom