Features Editor, Peter Iantorno

Name: Peter Iantorno
Age: 24
From: Sheffield, UK
Current Job: Features Editor, EDGAR

When did you first arrive in the UAE?
I first moved over to the region in July 2012, and before that I was based in Manchester in the UK.

Where did you work prior?
I was with a motorcycle magazine called Motorcycle Racer in Manchester. I would do pretty much everything for them, including writing and editing articles, social media and even laying out pages! I then moved over to the UAE to work for Gulf News Magazines as a Sub-Editor, before coming to work for EDGAR.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
The Middle East seemed an exciting place to be, with lots of opportunities for growth both in personal terms and for companies; now it’s more exciting than ever! 

Tell us about your role at EDGAR…
Along with the Online Editor and Editor-in-Chief, I’m responsible for planning and creating interesting and engaging content for EDGARdaily.com. 

What challenges do you face?
With such an ambitious project, it was always going to be a challenge to keep pace in terms of content creation, but I feel that the website is looking great and provides a brilliant range of stories that we update every day without fail. 

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing one of my stories getting a lot of shares or comments. It shows that people are engaging with me, whether they agree or disagree with what I’m saying!

What do you think of the quality of media publications in the region?
There are some excellent publications around at the moment – obviously EDGAR is my favourite! There are always improvements that could be made to any publication, but I think that taking into account the time constraints that journalists here face, most people are doing a pretty good job.

How do you find PRs in the region?
I normally find them very friendly and usually pretty efficient.

What’s your pet PR peeve?
Honestly, I’ve not got one.

What advice can you offer PRs seeking coverage in your magazine?
Have a look at Edgardaily.com and see if any of your clients would fit in to the site. We’re interested in a whole range of subjects, but the common themes are quality and luxury. If you have the right story for us, we’d be delighted to feature it.

Work calls via landline, mobile or both?
I really don’t mind either way. 

Describe yourself in five words…
Friendly, driven, fun, a realist and sport-mad.

What’s your most overused saying?
“No worries.”

Five things you can’t live without?
My wife, football (a close second), indie music, Italian food and sunshine. 

If you weren’t a journalist, what would you be?
A football manager.