Interviews – Media – Tom Moloney
Tom Moloney has been promoted to chief executive officer of Emap USA, the US’s leading publisher of specialist magazines. We asked Moloney what excites him about his new job and for his strategy for success
New title: Chief executive officer, Emap USA
Former title: President and chief operating officer Emap Petersen, Inc
Time at Emap: 20 years
Date of birth: 4 February 1959
Reasons for changing position?
I was given a fantastic opportunity.
How many years were you in your old position?
A year. Before that I was chief executive of Emap’s consumer magazines in the UK. I’ve been at Emap for 20 years.
What are you most excited about?
The wonderful world of opportunity that awaits. In terms of Emap USA, there are three or four big things we are doing right now – the launch of the magazines FHM, NFL Insider Weekly and Gravity Games, and the relaunch of Motor Trend. All of these are huge projects, which are fantastically exciting. If we get things right, they will transform this company.
What are you least excited about?
That’s a tough one – I don’t have a dull job!
What are your personal ambitions?
I just want to enjoy things as much as possible. Someone said to me the other day ‘these are the good old days’, and I think he got it right. These definitely are the good old days that everyone looks back upon with a smile and I intend to enjoy them while they last.
What are your new responsibilities?
I’m basically responsible for the growth and success of Emap USA. We are a new proposition in the American publishing world. We have a thousand people at present in America and I have to ensure we are all at the top of our game in strategic terms.
We must know what we are doing and why we’re doing it. We also need to ensure that the people on the outside understand where we are coming from. That means we must have a clear company culture, brand and finished product.
What does the future hold for the company?
We intend to be a broad-based media company focusing on men. We want to be a famous company focused on producing media assets for men, whether that is through magazines, web sites, radio shows or TV shows. We aim to be the number one in this area.
Any pearls of wisdom?
All the successful people I have ever worked with have shared one thing in common – huge enthusiasm, bordering almost on naive curiosity. When they lose their enthusiasm and they’re no longer interested in what’s going on around them, they will invariably start to fail. Be enthusiastic and curious about what is going on around you. There is always something new to learn.
What is the worst job you’ve ever done?
When I first left school, I spent the summer as a builder’s Labourer. It made me realize what hard work really is and I’ve since been motivated to make sure I never have to do the same job again!