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Phil's
Testimonials
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''I've
known Phil Mellows for 30
years. He's an experienced journalist whose fine touch and editing
skills have won him the praise and respect of his fellow professionals. His
nose for what makes news and what is relevant, his intolerance of jargon and prejudice, and
his respect for clarity and sharp
presentation are precious qualities in an age when people
are increasingly overwhelmed by information overload, much of it toxic
and unreliable. Mellows understands better than most that informed
journalism, laced with style, humanity and solidarity in equal measure, is
what makes information credible and trustworthy.''
Aidan White, general secretary
International Federation of Journalists
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"Phil
has been a valuable contributor to The Publican for well over a
decade and is a really vital resource for us because of his encyclopaedic
knowledge of all things pub. His copy is sharp, witty and always in
on time and his flair for quirky feature ideas ensures we
entertain our readers as well as informing them."
Caroline Nodder,
Editor of The Publican
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''Phil Mellows is a recognised
journalist and authority on the licensed retail sector in Britain.
He has written extensively about the macro and micro changes that
have impacted upon the sector over the last couple of decades. I
have known Phil and his work for more than ten years and have always
been impressed by the quality of his work. I am currently working
with him on a project which aims to expose some of the hidden
political agendas behind the current moral panic associated with
binge drinking and the liberalisation of licensing laws.''
Professor Conrad Lashley, Director
of the Centre for Leisure Retailing, Nottingham Trent
University
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"I've known and
respected Phil for many years, an unassuming, perceptive and
observant journalist with a sharp eye for detail and a light,
entertaining writing style. Not much passes him by and his
analysis is crisp, shrewd and often revelatory, but it's no
hardship to read his work; quite the reverse, in fact. He's a
rattling good read as well!"
Robert
Humphreys, honorary secretary, All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group
and
The British Beer Club in the European Parliament
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''Phil has a
great way with words, not to mention wit – I think he was born to
be a features writer! His sparkling copy has certainly livened up my
pages and he hits deadlines bang on time. What more could an editor
ask for?''
Maxine
Perella, editor LAWR
magazine.
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''I first
met Phil several years ago when he was a journalist on The Publican.
I was impressed by his grasp of ‘people matters’ and his innate
ability to get to the bottom of the issue. He is an experienced and
talented writer who is skilled in communicating the essence of a
subject in a manner that's relevant and accessible to the audience.
I was, perhaps, surprised to learn that his knowledge extends far
beyond the word of pubs and this flexibility makes him a definite
asset to anyone he works with.''
Jane Sunley, managing director LearnPurple
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''Put simply,
Phil Mellows is a first-class journalist. His experience and
knowledge of the drinks industry makes him, without doubt, an
expert in his field, and his articles reflect this.
Where other journalists often labour the point, Phil is able to
succinctly sum up all the relevant points in a clear and concise
manner. He is respected by PRs like myself for his straightforward
approach and his style of writing.
When Phil
writes about the drinks industry, people listen. His name and his
writing is synonymous with the best in this sector and in the 20
years that I have known Phil, first working alon side him as a
journalist and now as a PR, he has remained the best.''
Eddie
Gershon, Eddie Gershon Media Relations
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"... and
he's a top shag too!"
Anon
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Journalism
Following
a grounding in local newspapers I've written about pubs and the pub
industry for a quarter of a century, interrupted now and then by writing
about drinks. I've worked for both weekly trade titles, the Morning
Advertiser and The Publican, mostly on features. From up close I have reported and
commentated on the massive changes the pub and brewing industries have
gone through over the last couple of decades – and the uncertainties
and challenges that continue to this day. Until going freelance in August 2008 I
delivered weekly business advice to licensees through the pages of The
Publican and online.
I've
also worked in contract publishing, editing the award-winning Bass
Brewers News, pioneering an intranet news service back in the
mid-1990s and launching a trilingual magazine for Bass Beers Worldwide, Horizons.
My
features now appear regularly in the Morning
Advertiser and other trade publications, and I have extended
my repertoire to corner shops, writing for Retail Newsagent, and
to recycling and waste management, for LAWR magazine.
Business
advice
Although
I’ve never run a pub, over the many years I’ve been writing for
people who do run pubs I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge from the
best in the business. My contacts book is full of experts in every
aspect pub operations, from keeping a good pint of beer and recruiting
and training staff to financial controls and retail technology.
If I don’t know the answer to a question I’ll know a man, or woman,
who does. And there is advice here that is, of course, transferable to
other small businesses.
Awards
judging
I have been a
regular judge for The Publican Awards, The Publican Food & Drink
Awards and the Quality Drinks
Awards.
Research
Since
turning freelance I have also been researching a book, provisionally
titled The Politics of Drinking,
which aims to analyse the structural changes that have taken place –
and continue to take place – in the pub industry over the past 20
years in the context of government alcohol policy. Surprisingly, this
has taken me into a variety of alien disciplines including political
history, anthropology, sociology, medicine and statistics. As a result I
feel I belatedly have a clue as to what has been going on.
Phil's
CV
Phil's
Q&A with Journalert
For
freelance rates etc
Contact Phil
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