Delving deep with Fairfax national lifestyle editor Tracey Strange

From editing a magazine at 25 to recently being named in the newly created role of national lifestyle editor at Fairfax in New Zealand, Tracey Strange has had a broad career. beautydirectory sat down with Strange to discover where it all began, how she nabbed the coveted role at Fairfax, and juggling multiple magazines.

Can you tell me a bit about your career progression in the media industry?

I studied journalism and began my career as a cadet. I’ve generally worked my way through newspapers and magazines, working for business titles, women’s magazines and glossy fashion and lifestyle titles. In some ways, the career chose me. I’ve tried to leave it at least four times - once for a career in political PR (I did a spell as a prime ministerial press secretary), and another for a spell in commercial PR. I also tried to get into teachers’ training college and medical school, and was rejected (thank goodness) for both.

How did you get your first big break into media?

My first job was as a general reporter for The Dominion (now the Dom-Post). But the job that really hooked me into publishing was a business-to-business magazine called Management. It wasn’t so much the topic but the publisher (a journalist called Reg Birchfield), who was a huge inspiration and mentor. He made me a magazine editor at 25, and his faith in my abilities has been the backbone of my professional confidence ever since.

You’ve just been announced as the national lifestyle editor at Fairfax Media. How did this come about?

Fairfax has a very open and contestable application process. The job was advertised and I applied. What is perhaps slightly different about it is that it has been adapted so that I can continue with aspects of my previous job as Fairfax group beauty editor. This means I’ll retain my role as beauty editor of two glossies and one weekly newspaper insert as well as taking on the responsibilities of the new job.

What will the new role involve?

It’s a newly created group features position under Fairfax’s new ‘One Newsroom’ structure. Essentially, working in consultation with title editors, I’ll be responsible for overseeing the editorial life and style content for Fairfax Media in NZ, including food, drink, fashion and beauty. I’ll also continue to be involved with interiors content. I start next month.

In June this year you were also announced as the group beauty editor for Fairfax. Why do you think the role was created?

Fairfax is an enormous organisation and appointing one person across so many different titles (from premium lifestyle magazines to newspaper inserts) was a bit of a risk. But I think there was a keen awareness that the company needed to standardise the quality of its beauty writing and its approach to the sector, and part of that was being able to present a consistent tone and ‘face’.

How did the group beauty editor role come about?

It was advertised. Initially, I was reluctant to apply because I’d been writing on beauty (freelance) for Fairfax for years and I knew how much work was involved. After having edited several magazines, I also wasn’t so sure I was ready to go back to such a high-profile corporate role. But I’ve loved the challenge. I’m not so much attracted to the beauty industry because of the products (although I do love them) but because I find the business of beauty so fascinating.

As group beauty editor (and now national lifestyle editor), you are responsible for many different titles. Is it hard to juggle all the different magazines?

It does take a bit of getting your head around it. I had my first taste of it when I was beauty editor for both Next and Fashion Quarterly, but the Fairfax group beauty editor job was entirely different, mainly because I was writing for both newspaper and glossy magazine titles at the same time. That will continue to some extent in the new job but I’ll be doing more editing, rather than actual writing.

How do you stay on top of what is going on across all the titles?

I liaise with the various editors. But I’m pretty familiar with the titles themselves because I’ve freelanced for many of them over the past 12 years or so.

What excites you about your current role as group beauty editor?

I love the sense of ‘directing traffic’. Juggling so many balls keeps me mentally nimble. (I suspect the challenge will only be greater in my new role!) From a philosophical viewpoint, I think people do really well professionally if they believe they are useful. Being useful just makes me want to try harder.

What is the hardest thing about the position?

Far too many deadlines – weekly, monthly, bi-monthly… it can be a bit daunting. Just as you finish something, it’s time to start it again.

What has been your career highlight?

I will always be a writer first and foremost but I’ve had the opportunity over the years to do an awful lot of styling (fashion, beauty and interiors). Thinking visually is incredibly stimulating. I have absolutely no interest in being a photographer but I love the process of creating – or art directing – magazine images.

And lowlight?

I was pretty hopeless at PR! Talented, creative PR people have my total respect.

On top of writing for magazines, you have a blog. What are the key differences in writing for magazines and creating your blog?

I’m a little more open when it comes to the blog. I believe part of my job as a beauty editor is to help women make informed decisions about the products they buy. Obviously, I have my own views but these are never as important as the facts or research. I can be a little more enthusiastic when it comes to the blog because the things I’m writing about are completely connected to my personal taste. It really is just a collection of things I love.

What is the thing you are most looking forward to doing as a national lifestyle editor?

Being able to encourage and foster new talent. Part of my role will involve managing a small team of contributors and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll also be back in a news – rather than purely magazine – environment.

If you weren’t a beauty editor, what would you be doing?

I’d be writing my crime novel. Or maybe I’d be a florist? Or a Martha Stewart? Or a furniture designer…? Whatever it is, a slightly slower pace would be a bonus!