Name: Larry Lawson
Company: Rex Features
Position: Director of Sales and Marketing
What age did you leave school?
18 – and went on to do a degree in Graphic Design, which unfortunately I have never used.
How did you get into the picture library business?
John Selby asked me to join his company.
What were you doing before that?
I worked in the Daily Mail Group for 13 years as Commercial Director of
Teletext – I set up and ran the late availability holiday business there.
How many staff work at Rex Features?
About 80 in the UK and 12 at our new offices in Los Angeles.
What are you scanning at the moment?
We were recently awarded the syndication rights for a number of major archives, notably ITV, FremantleMedia and all the Daily Mail archive. Lets say it’s keeping us busy!
Are you handling any footage/video content?
Watch this space.
What was your best selling image in May 09?
Britain’s Got Talent and Susan Boyle.
Describe your Monday morning?
Up at 6am
Cycle 2k to swimming pool
Swim 2.5k
Cycle to work 13k
(it’s a mid life crisis thing)
…then work of course.
Which picture library web site has recently caught your eye?
Our agent in The Netherlands, Hollandse Hoogte, has a pretty clean and efficient site.
Which websites do you visit daily other that Rex and Photo Archive News?
Most of the newspaper sites + media trade press.
Which newspapers and magazines do you read regularly?
Ones I don’t…Poultry World…Truck and Driver Weekly…Compliance Monthly…
When did you last pick up a camera?
CEPIC conference to catch Barack Obama in Dresden – did he go…did anyone see him?!
What are you doing when you are not selling photos?
Training for Team Triathlon. (see above)
Favorite food?
Anything with lots of carbs. (see above)
Cinema or pub?
Both – preferably at same time.
Ideal Friday night?
Failing miserably to show off making Maki to my 3 young boys.
Ideal holiday destination?
Anywhere with a slope and snow on it.
Lastly what advice would you give to any new picture library.
Do something differently.