Mike Williams (journalist)

Williams studied film and television at University of Wales, Aberystwyth, before moving to Cardiff and launching the independent music magazine Kruger in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/may/31/nme-editor-appointed|title=NME deputy editor Mike Williams steps up to edit IPC's weekly music title|author=Mark Sweney|work=the Guardian|date=31 May 2012 |accessdate=7 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/node/49428|title=Mike Williams named new editor of NME|publisher=Pressgazette.co.uk|accessdate=7 October 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012150138/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/node/49428|archivedate=12 October 2014}} Kruger was a mix of music reviews, interviews and features about music and culture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/020d6984-dab0-3a93-8638-e8bd037bea5a|title=Kruger magazine 2004-2010|date=2010-04-30|website=Wales|access-date=2016-11-20}} It closed in April 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.buzzmag.co.uk/uncategorized/kruger-magazine-folds/|title=KRUGER MAGAZINE FOLDS|work=Buzz Magazine|date=29 April 2010 |accessdate=7 October 2014}}

Williams joined NME as features editor in September 2010, was promoted to deputy editor in July 2011, and replaced Krissi Murison as editor in June 2012.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/global/1095222/mike-williams-named-editor-of-nme|title=Mike Williams Named Editor of NME|date=31 May 2012|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=7 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/09/26/nme-celebrates-60th-birthday-but-can-it-reclaim-its-former-glory-585284/|title=NME celebrates 60th birthday but can it reclaim its former glory?|work=Metro|date=26 September 2012 |accessdate=7 October 2014}}

While Williams was editor, the NME responded to a continuing fall in readers by removing its cover price and becoming a free publication, "hoping that a boost in ads and sponsorship, both online and in print, can make up for the loss of cover price income".{{Cite web |title=NME to relaunch as free title {{!}} Complete Music Update |url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/nme-to-relaunch-as-free-title/ |access-date=2022-12-28}}

With thousands of copies given out for free at train stations, universities and businesses throughout the UK,{{Cite web |title=NME to become a free magazine after 63 years |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/nme-become-free-magazine-63-years/1354692 |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=www.campaignlive.co.uk |language=en}} the NME went on to hit its highest ever circulation at 307,217.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/nme-readership-soars-past-1960s-beatles-peak-six-months-after-going-free-a6867826.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/nme-readership-soars-past-1960s-beatles-peak-six-months-after-going-free-a6867826.html |archive-date=14 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=NME's readership is the highest it's ever been in its 64-year history|date=2016-02-11|newspaper=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-11-20}}

In the end, it was not enough to save the print product which would soon cease publication, but not before Williams had been named Editor Of The Year at the BSME Awards 2016 with the judges saying that the NME had "bounced back from an uncertain future and established itself confidently and creatively in a new market."{{Cite news|url=http://magculture.com/bsme-awards-2016/|title=BSME Awards 2016 - magCulture|date=2016-11-16|newspaper=magCulture|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-11-20}}

During the general election of 2017, Williams interviewed Jeremy Corbyn.{{Citation|last=NME|title=NME Meets Jeremy Corbyn – watch the full video interview|date=2017-06-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5jS56gMMDc|accessdate=2018-03-06}} It was suggested that this helped engaged young people in the election, which resulted in a minority Conservative government.{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/young-people-labour-jeremy-corbyn-shock-exit-poll-victory-nme-2017-6|title=This alternative election exit poll shows how young British voters may have caused a political earthquake|work=Business Insider|access-date=2018-03-06}} {{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jeremy-corbyn-student-debt-general-election_uk_5975a97de4b09e5f6cd0619c|title=Here's What Jeremy Corbyn Actually Said About Student Debt Before The General Election|date=2017-07-24|work=HuffPost UK|access-date=2018-03-06|language=en-GB}} Afterwards, Williams urged people young people to "keep believing, we’re heading in the right direction" – however, at the next election the Tories won a huge majority.

The following year, on 26 February 2018, Williams stepped down from his position claiming "I leave in the knowledge that NME matters again, that it sets the agenda again, and that it's doing exactly what it always should again: turning the young people of Britain onto the music that's going to change their lives."{{Cite news |title=Mike Williams steps down as editor of NME |language=en |url=http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/mike-williams-steps-down-as-editor-of-nme/071603 |access-date=2018-03-06}}

Just weeks later, on 7 March 2018, it was announced that the NME was to cease publication in print after 66 years, as the magazine was "no longer financially viable," instead becoming an online only publication".{{Cite web |last1=Needham |first1=Lucy |last2=Saunders |first2=Emmeline |date=2018-03-07 |title=NME ends print edition after 65 years as it's "no longer financially viable" |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/nme-ends-print-edition-after-12142794 |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=mirror |language=en}} The move was met with dismay by many within the music industry, with Kasabian saying it was "a truly sad day that such an icon is no more".{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/kasabianhq/status/971389452215095296 |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=Twitter |language=en}}

The following year, Williams joined Time Out as Interim Editor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/profile/UtlcMZU-XJZIfskJRVVKdlw==?locale=en-US&site=us-newyork|title=Time Out Profiles|website=www.timeout.com|access-date=2019-08-20}} In July 2019 it was announced that Williams would become the new Editor in Chief of Sight & Sound magazine.

On 20 July 2023, less than five years after the departure of Williams, it was announced that the NME would return to print. Promotional images show a front cover featuring American singer songwriter D4vd.{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2023-07-20 |title=NME announces return of iconic print magazine |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-announces-return-of-iconic-print-magazine-2023-summer-buy-3470477 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

In March 2017, the NME, then edited by Williams, used a photograph of British rapper, singer and songwriter Stormzy on its frontpage along with the headline, "Depression: It's time to talk".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39294964|title=Stormzy criticises 'foul' NME over cover|date=2017-03-16|access-date=2020-01-09|language=en-GB}}

Stormzy responded on Twitter saying, "You lot know I don't rant or open my mouth up for no reason but serious @NME magazine are the biggest bunch of sly, foul PAIGONS"{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stormzy/status/842363327019917312|title=You lot know I don't rant or open my mouth up for no reason but serious @NME magazine are the biggest bunch of sly, foul PAIGONS.|last=HEAD|first=HEAVY IS THE|date=2017-03-16|website=@stormzy|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09}} and "using my face as a poster boy for it to sell your magazine is so foul and below the belt I will never respect you lot."{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stormzy/status/842364547939868672|title=However using my face as a poster boy for it to sell your magazine is so foul and below the belt I will never respect you lot|last=HEAD|first=HEAVY IS THE|date=2017-03-16|website=@stormzy|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09}} He also said, "You lot are a bunch of real life fucking pussyholes. Proper dickheads”{{Cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2017/03/16/stormzy-nme-depression-cover-story-image-controversy/|title=Stormzy calls NME "fucking pussyholes" over depression cover story image|date=2017-03-16|website=FACT Magazine: Transmissions from the underground|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-09}} and claimed that the NME had been "begging" him to be on the cover but he had "refused".{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stormzy/status/842365594439688194|title=the reason I'm so angry is because NME have been begging me to be on their cover. I have refused. Then they do this.|last=HEAD|first=HEAVY IS THE|date=2017-03-16|website=@stormzy|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09}}

According to The Guardian, "the phrasing of the NME cover created the impression the magazine had interviewed him, which it had not".{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/16/stormzy-condemns-nme-for-using-him-as-poster-boy-for-depression|title=Stormzy condemns NME for using him as 'poster boy' for depression|last=music|first=Guardian|date=2017-03-16|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-01-09|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} A feature in the magazine instead used quotes from Stormzy taken from a different interview.

Andrew Trendell, the journalist who wrote the feature, said he "had absolutely no part in the cover itself, the photos used nor the cover lines."{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AndrewTrendell/status/842410565100281856|title=About the NME Mental Health issue.pic.twitter.com/FV2SIg633k|last=Trendell|first=Andrew|date=2017-03-16|website=@AndrewTrendell|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09}}

However, responding to Stormzy via the NME's official Twitter account, Williams said, “I'm really sorry this has happened. We're a free magazine and were not trying to shift copies, just talk about something important.”{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/nme/status/842376718375612416|title=I'm really sorry this has happened. We're a free magazine and were not trying to shift copies, just talk about something important|last=NME|date=2017-03-16|website=@nme|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09}}

Stormzy replied saying, "DEAD. You're NOT a non-profit organisation. The more copies you dish out the more you charge for advertising. You will make money from this".{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stormzy/status/842381588004507648|title=DEAD. You're NOT a non-profit organisation|last=HEAD|first=HEAVY IS THE|date=2017-03-16|website=@stormzy|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09}}

While Perez Hilton, founder of the Perez Hilton website, interjected to tell Williams, "this response is wack!!"{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ThePerezHilton/status/842471585906798592|title=This response is wack!!|last=Perez|date=2017-03-16|website=@ThePerezHilton|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09}}

Stormzy later referenced the incident on the song "One Second" from his album Heavy is the Head saying, "The cover of the NME, that shit made me resent myself. There's people tryin' to spread the word and people that pretend to help."

• Editor of the Year (Record of the Day Music Journalism and PR Awards, November 2009){{Cite web|url=http://www.recordoftheday.com/2009-record-of-the-day-awards-for-music-journalism-and-pr|title=Record of the Day|last=Day|first=Record of the|website=www.recordoftheday.com|access-date=2016-11-20}}
• Editor of the Year (BSME Awards, 2016){{cite web | url=https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/bsme-awards-2016-the-winners-3789 | title=BSME Awards 2016 – the winners | date=16 November 2016 }}

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{{succession box|title=Editor of the NME|years=2012–2018|before=Krissi Murison|after=Charlotte Gunn}}

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Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:Welsh-speaking journalists

Category:Alumni of the University of Wales

Category:Welsh magazine editors