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David Shaw on Muck Rack

David Shaw

(He/Him)
United Kingdom
Covers:  Global tire/tyre industry - materials, manufacturing, processes, distribution, marketing, strategy, financials, legislation, environment
Doesn't Cover: Things that do not relate to tires/tyres

Interview

What was your first job as a journalist?

Writer on a Reed publication, Engineering Materials

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Back in the "good" old days, I bashed stories out on a manual typewriter with two fingers.

How is social media changing news?

For the worse. There is less checking of disinformation

Who's your favorite fictional journalist?

Umm... TinTin?

How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?

Intelligently

What tools and software do you use to do your job?

Voice recorder; Apple Mac with Creative suite

What's your favorite social network?

I use LinkedIn and X (Twitter) and have accounts with Mastodon and Bluesky.

Who do you wish followed you?

CEOs of the top tire makers worldwide

Why did you become a journalist?

Curiosity; the need to find answers and the willingness of senior people to answer some rude questions

What story are you most proud of writing or working on?

I've written many articles that have changed the course of the industry - What is your favourite child?

What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?

Stay true to yourself, and resist pressures from advertisers, publishers and others to compromise your values

What's the best pitch you ever got?

Can't remember many good ones

What's the worst pitch you ever got?

stuff that is irrelevant to my work and expertise

What's your favorite drink?

wine

When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?

Either at an airport/on a plane or cooking BBQ

What's the most common misperception about your beat?

It's boring

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