This month, Flow Communications welcomes a new journalist to its Cape Town office, Stuart Buchanan. The Rhodes University graduate says even though he’s been at Flow for only two weeks, he loves that he gets to write fun stuff every day.
“After I realised that I probably wouldn’t be an astronaut or a spy, I settled for journalism,” says the witty staff member. Stuart has always had an interest in the media, and says he remembers visiting East Coast Radio when he was in Grade 5 and loving the experience.
Of his new colleagues, Stuart says: “The real-life colleagues down here all seem like a talented and interesting bunch, and I look forward to getting to know the team better. The Joburg team, who only exist on Skype for now, have all been very welcoming, and I look forward to meeting them in December.”
And his colleagues are happy to have him join the team. Says Flow sub-editor Marin Gorrie: “It’s great having Stu in the office. He’s always up for a chuckle, and I’m sure his knowledge of Star Wars will no doubt come in handy when we’re all locked in debate over a few pints of craft beer at the pub.”
Stuart says because he has such an avid interest in politics, technology and music – he’d love to interview Joyce Banda, Elon Musk and Snoop Dogg, or Snoop Lion, as the rapper is currently known.
In his free time, Stuart looks at the Internet sites he doesn’t visit when he’s at work and he also plays the guitar – quite badly, he adds. He also likes to hang out with his friends in Cape Town and soak up the sun.
When asked what he sees himself doing in 10 years, Stuart chuckles: “Running Flow! Or at least being involved in online media in some way. If people are still listening to radio stations in 10 years’ time, I’d like to be running a successful one. Or doing an online TV equivalent. And I want to have also seen the world by then.”
Stuart says he’s still getting a general understanding of how digital marketing and communications is run and how clients pay for it, which he finds quite insightful. “Seeing the numbers and the analytics from the various social media platforms is quite interesting,” he concludes.
“Stuart is a great addition to the Flow family and we have no doubt his quick-thinking initiatives will be of huge benefit to Flow’s clients. We love his sharp wit and willingness to get involved across all platforms – he just gets it,” comments Leanne Pohlmann, Cape Town project manager.