Classifi ed Recruitment
Courses
Noticeboard Property
ARTS ■ CHARITIES ■ MEDIA ■ CATERING ■ PUBLIC SECTOR
■ GROUP CLASSES ■ LANGUAGES ■ DANCE ACTIVITIES ■ BANDS & MUSIC ■ WANTED ■
PROPERTY TO LET ■ ACCOMMODATION
How did you get that job?
Name Dave Cook Job Title Managing Director/Freelance Gaming Journalist
Company Ink Media Website www.ink-media.co.uk
When did you start your job? I started writing gaming articles for a number of publications and websites back in 2007. After pitching a few game articles to The Scotsman I was asked if I wanted to write its weekly gaming column and I jumped at the chance. I won a Games Media Award in 2008 for the column and since then I gained enough contacts to move into gaming PR. I set up Ink Media, a media consultancy for iPhone developers, in February 2009 after being made redundant from an in-house role. It’s now almost 12 months later and thankfully I’ve beaten the recession. Phew!
So what does your role actually involve? I work with a range of iPhone and digital media companies in Scotland and recently, in England and South Korea, helping them drum up media interest in their new games or products and securing reviews on gaming and tech sites. I also back up traditional PR methods with a range of social tools like Twitter, Stumbleupon, Facebook, Wikipedia and so on. With gaming websites keeping more and more up to date than the press format, these skills are necessary to get a game noticed today. Best / Worst Aspects? The worst aspect is that I was pushed into setting up on my own due to redundancy and it was incredibly daunting and more than a bit terrifying. But I’m entirely comfortable doing it now, although the learning curve was incredibly steep. Now those fears are out of the way, I think the workload can spiral above and beyond the workload you originally quoted and few clients are keen to pay you extra for more work. The best aspects are being your own boss and really working within the games industry, striking up relationships with my peers and at times, idols. I guess it’s my equivalent of rubbing shoulders with big movie stars, although much more geeky.
Looking back, what advice would you give to a young Dave at the start of his career? Grow a spine. I was incredibly shy and found it hard to talk myself up and even now I fi nd it hard to confi dently self-promote Ink Media. I’m incredibly bashful by nature, but talking yourself up is a key part of the business. If you don’t show the world how well you are doing, you will be restricted to work acquired by word of mouth only and admittedly, I’ve decided not to apply for potentially brilliant opportunities by shooting myself down before I’ve even applied. As such, I’d tell myself to just go for it.
and fi nally . . . What’s your biggest achievement of the year and what are you looking forward to in 2010? The biggest achievement by far was being on the organisational committee for the inaugural NEoN Digital Arts Festival in Dundee this November. It was a new festival for the gaming and wider UK digital media sector and starting from one person’s idea, we helped turn it into a major success. I also got nominated for a second Games Media Award. Next year, I’m looking forward to NEoN 10 and hopefully being nominated for another Games Media Award.
102 THE LIST 16 Dec 2009–7 Jan 2010
Languages Gift Ideas
Edinburgh
Berlitz Language Centre Language courses. Evenings.15 hours. Foreign Languages £140 for 10 weeks. English £99 for 5 weeks. 14 Frederick Street.
0131 226 7198 edinburgh
@languagecentres.com
Christmas Polo Vouchers
An unexpected present that is sure to be well received. We have very quiet horses so that non-riders and
absolute beginners can learn to play. Polo is an adrenalin fi lled way to get fi t and be social. It is even fun for the spectators! Call Karina on 07974 706045 or for
more information see www.stewartonpolo.co.uk
Cookery
Learn Sushi...
...with a Japanese chef in her own home. Take home and eat the results. Gift vouchers available. £60 for a class.
Discounts for groups. Call 0141 332 5707 or visit learnsushi.co.uk
Music Glasgow
GUITAR LESSONS IN CENTRAL GLASGOW
Fingerstyle guitar lessons from
beginner to advanced. Also
taught; electric rock, blues and beginners mandolin & 5-string banjo. Lessons by RSAMD
musicworks tutor. Full Disclosure.
www.glasgowguitarteacher.com Call 07763 164 123
Mind&Body
Property PROPERTY TO LET ■ ACCOMMODATION
Property to Let Glasgow
Unfurnished 2 Bedroom
Flat £267.57 PCM 35 Carnarvon Street, G3 6HP The property is let by Tenants First Housing Co-operative, which is a Registered Social Landlord. This building is a special lettings initiative for
women in priority housing need.
This is a 2nd fl oor, 2 double bedroom fl at, with kitchen/ dining room on open plan, and bathroom. GCH, secure entry system. All applicants must be registered with Homehunt North East Scotland. To register phone 01224 628101, or go online at www.homehunt.info
■ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT ■ HEALTH & BEAUTY ■ Edinburgh
Personal Development Edinburgh
Writers
Extra Help for ■ and Artists. Emotional diffi culties blocking your creativity? Lack of confi dence hampering progress? Work just fi ne, but the rest of your life a struggle? One-to-one sessions in Edinburgh with psychotherapist and coach specialising in work with writers and artists. Matthew Elton 07779-036-924 www.extra-help.org.uk
Noticeboard ACTIVITIES ■ BANDS & MUSIC ■ WANTED ■
Activites Glasgow
Corstorphine ■ furnished 2 double bedroom flat. Located in Forrester - 10 minutes away from Gyle, Gogarburn, RBS building, 24 hour Tesco & Stevenson College. Great bus routes to and from City Centre and Gyle. 2 double bedrooms, kitchen, very spacious living room, bathroom and garden. Ground floor flat. To rent from January 10th 2010. Call 07789 905 341
Offi ce Space Edinburgh
Looking for affordable
offi ce space in a dynamic and creative environment in
Stockbridge area? We hope so! Phone Richard on 0131 343
222 or drop us a line richard@lfee.net
Removals
Get More Out of Life
@ our activities and social club - Wining, Dining, Cinema, Theatre, Walks and Sports including our popular Badminton group. FREE 2 month trial. Yearly Membership
only £40. Contact us for
more details Tel: 07546 570 139 or www.glasgowivc.org.uk
HIRE A VAN WITH A MAN Local & long distance. Large & small. House / Offi ce / garage
clearances / Ikea Pickups etc. Reliable, Friendly (and on time). Free quotations.
Disclosure Scotland Certifi cate. Contact Philip 0131 332 1272 / 07836 633 006
Flatshares Glasgow
City Centre luxury ■ furnished warm room in big friendly fl atshare, 3 X showers, high ceilings, wooden fl oors, tumble drier, GCH, newky decorated, free bills, broadband, low deposit. Sorry no smokers or students. £75 per week. Tel: 07974 232 537
Female looking for ■ friendly/considerate/professional fl atmate. 1 furnished double bedroom to let in warehouse apartment, 10 min walk to citycentre, parking, £380pm including bills. Tel - 07999 007 574
■ Friendly fl at mate wanted for fully furnished double room for rent Shawlands, private car parking, shared living room, dining kitchen & bathroom, 2 mins walk to train station. Near all amenities. Available now. Tel: 07949 420 811
Edinburgh
Double room in ■ gay friendly fl at in Abbeyhill to share with 3 others. Available now. £400 PCM including all bills. Tel: 07889 192 106
in an upper
Room to rent ■ colonies house in Stockbridge (right on the river 10 minutes walk from Princes street) Rent is 310 PCM, excluding council tax. Tel: Benjamin 07515 354 757
female,
Single room for ■ Ratho, £300 PCM, includes utilities. Street parking and bus to city centre every 30 minutes. Share kitchen, bathroom and lounge with one other female and a black cat. Tel: Pamela 07786 384 398
Double room available ■ in student 3 bedroom ground fl oor fl atshare, city centre. £350 per month plus bills (approx £30 per month.) Wireless internet, landline phone, gas central heating.Tel: 07825 458 296
■ Bright double room in non-smoking fl at off Leith Walk. Sharing with one female, 30. Large lounge. Rent £325 + CT + bills. Deposit required. Contact Naomi 07507153949 or Sinead 07518 937 384
Large single room ■ in relaxed sociable fl atshare available Jan. Central fl at with large lounge and separate kitchen, mod cons and GCH. £240 pcm + CT + bills Contact: an_evilpettingzoo@hotmail. com
Double room for ■ rent in sea view fl at in Annfi eld, Newhaven. Best property in the area. Fully furnished, to share with an easy going IT prof £375 PM all bills - Tel: 07525 755 140