Interview with Brian Connor, circulation director for the Guardian. Conducted by David Ward on 18 April 2002. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording.
Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):
00.10 Started at the Guardian in 1952 straight from school. Worked on linotype machines for 5 years
01.45 Working for the Manchester Guardian Weekly
02.50 Hierarchical distinction between the Manchester Evening News and Manchester Guardian
05.10 How national service widened his horizons
06.00 Returned to new chairman, Kenneth Searle, whom introduced management training
08.30 Training didn't include editorial work
09.00 How he found his way into circulation
10.00 How circulation operated - co-operation between papers
12.00 Paper transportation between London and Manchester and the grey area around West Midlands
14.00 Having to hold the train if the paper was running late
16.00 Teletypesetting problems and 'nightly battle' with the unions. Circulation problems alienating people in Scotland.
18.00 How did his job change?
19.00 Becoming circulation director in the early 1980s
19.45 World Cup first day covers and how they became the responsibility of the circulation department
23.00 How the sales drive in Yorkshire added c.1200 readers, but as soon as the drive stopped readers disappeared
25.30 The paper increasing in size and logistical difficulties
27.15 Size of Connor's team - circulation reps/area managers
29.00 Flooding the market on big news days i.e. the Kennedy assassination
31.00 When did co-operation between circulation managers break up?
32.42 What happens when a big story breaks? e.g. Lockerbie
35.00 Relationship between editorial and commercial
