The power of Facebook to move Tim Atkin MW with The Times

The news broke on Friday that UK’smulti award-winning wine columnist, Tim Atkin MW, was moving to The Times. Tim will have a weekly page in their new food and drink supplement on Thursdays. Jane MacQuitty, the Times long standing wine correspondent, will continue to appear on Saturdays. Tim acknowledges that a powerful campaign on Facebook – Save the Wine Column – played a significant part in getting the new column.

Tim Atkin MW

Earlier this month the Observer (a Sunday paper) axed Tim’s highly regarded weekly wine column, which he had written since 1993. Immediately Rebecca Gibb, a freelance drinks journalist, set up a Facebook group called – save the Wine Column. In just 10 days it gathered 1000 members and now has 1315.

Tim explains: “I got an email from The Times on Tuesday 16th February. They thought the support on Facebook was pretty amazing.”

Interesting to see that while Save the WC group grew, the Observer Appreciation group lost members following the paper’s widely criticised relaunch last weekend.

Although in the past it might have been possible to mount such a campaign but Facebook makes it much easier and easier to see the impact you are having. The lesson is clear – deride social media at your peril! But do I really have to start using Twatter?     

(c) Jim Budd

See earlier related post on Les 5 du Vin:
http://www.les5duvin.com/article-an-end-to-vin-britannia-44569251.html