Keynote preview: Andrew Potter
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January 14, 2010 6:11 PM
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The competitive nature of the media industry makes it difficult for aspiring student journalists to make it to the top. Therefore, it is always reassuring to hear about those who have succeeded in becoming well known in the field. Andrew Potter is a perfect example of such a journalist.
The Maclean’s columnist will be discussing authenticity in Canadian politicians and how our desire for “down to earth” or “real” people is influencing a national dislike for politics.
“It's become a dominant theme that what we want from our politicians is spontaneity and authenticity, as opposed to heavily scripted mannequins who stick to their talking points and are slaves to their image-makers and spin doctors,” Potter explained in an email.
While he may be a national voice on politics for a major Canadian magazine, Potter has humble beginnings in the student press. He served as editor-in-chief for McGill University’s The Red Herring, an intentionally humorous publication.
A few years later he returned to the student press with a culture and politics column in the Varsity, a student newspaper at the University of Toronto.
Combining his love of reporting and humour, Potter began writing short pieces for This Magazine, as well as op-eds for various other newspapers. This experience landed him his first job in journalism as news editor for the Ottawa Citizen.
Tonight, Potter will be returning to student journalism to give the opening keynote address at CUP’s 72nd national conference. Potter says he is looking forward to travelling west and cannot wait to speak.
“I've never been to Edmonton, and it struck me that mid-January might be when the city is at its best,” joked Potter.
In addition to writing a column for Maclean’s, Potter is a co-author on the bestselling book The Rebel Sell: Why the Culture Can’t Be Jammed. He also keeps a regular blog that discusses Canadian and international politics, consumer culture, education, and, of course, hockey. As such a rounded individual, his knowledge is vital for any student journalist.
If you can only attend one keynote speaker in Edmonton, make sure you attend Andrew Potter. With his talent, experience, and hopefully some authentic spontaneity, his presentation will not be one to miss.
Potter speaks tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the Jubliee A/B.