Cantab (magazine)

"Cantab" was the title of a magazine produced by students at the University of Cambridge between 1981 and 1990. It was unusual among British student magazines in being independent of student unions. Operations were self-financed, initially through copy sales and advertising, later through advertising alone.

The title's second claim to fame was its production via an extremely early form of desktop publishing, involving a typesetting program specially written for its BBC Micro computer and Juki daisy wheel printer by Martin Tod and introduced as early as 1984.

In 1985 the magazine launched a spin-off summer title, "Cantab's What's On and Where to Go in Cambridge", which gained success in that year's Student Media Awards, run by "The Guardian" newspaper. Other less successful spin-offs, including Business Matters and Cantab's version of Energy Matters, were produced occasionally as revenue generating vehicles to subsidise the main title.

In 1985/6 the magazine was relaunched, switching from a paid-for circulation to free distribution. Relying solely on advertising sales was an unusual and potentially risky move, but allowed for a massively increased print run, increased pagination and higher production quality. While maintaining a focus on arts coverage, the magazine took an increased interest in politics and current affairs, with a noticeably more left-wing stance.

The magazine was relaunched yet again in 1987/88.

Notable "Cantab" staff members includeSee mastheads, collection of "Cantab" issues at Cambridge University Library, classmark Cam.a.41.5] :

* Paul Abrahams. Director of Corporate Communications for Nomura in London.
* Grace Bradberry. Editor of "T2" at "The Times.
* Colin Brown. Editor-in-Chief of Screen International.
* Roz Carroll. Noted body psychotherapist and lecturer.
* John Crowther. International advertising strategist.
* Mike Dash. Fortean, publisher of "Viz", and author of several works of history.
* Paul-Michael Dempsey. Science fiction movie maven.
* Paul Foulkes-Arellano. Design company MD.
* Francis Freisinger. Latin American economics guru .
* Richard Furlong. Defence barrister specialising in major fraud and drugs cartel cases.
* Midge Gillies. Journalist and biographer of Marie Lloyd and Amy Johnson.
* Chris Grayling. Conservative Member of Parliament for Epsom and Ewell, shadow Transport Secretary.
* Tim Harper. Author and historian.
* Penny Harris. Editorial director of the Attic Futura and H.Bauer magazine publishing companies.
* Wendy Holden. Best-selling chick lit novelist.
* Paul Horrell. Eminent motoring journalist.
* Sarah Howgate. Contemporary Curator, National Portrait Gallery.
* Nicky Louth-Davies. Senior PR flack.
* Andrew Lownie. Top literary agent.
* Robert Mason. Journalist.
* Ben Mingay. Leading corporate financier.
* Caren Myers. Mafia prosecutor turned academic
* David Owens. Philosophy don at the University of Sheffield.
* Jane Penrose. Educational consultant.
* Nicholas Pyke. Deputy features editor, Mail on Sunday.
* Jim Roberts. London-based maritime solicitor specialising in Franco-Arab cargo disputes.
* Stephen Sackur. BBC TV correspondent in Washington DC.
* Alexander Shankland. Development economist
* Simon Silvester. Leading advertising agency strategist and head of planning at a succession of major agencies.
* Louise Simpson. Director of Communications, University of Cambridge.
* Kevin G. Southernwood. Former leader of Cambridge city council.
* Caroline Thomson. Marketing director, The Link DSG.
* Martin Tod. Political technology consultant, former Head of Brand and Advertising, Vodafone UK, and prospective LibDem parliamentary candidate for Winchester [http://www.winningwinchester.com/] .
* Bob Tolliday. Principal Investigative Reporter, Which?.
* Roger Tredre. Editor-in-chief of WGSN, the multi-million pound fashion trends web site.
* Tim Turner. Magazine editor and novelist.
* Brian Watson Cult industrial designer.
* Tessa Watt. BBC Radio 3 producer and influential figure in the World music scene.
* Jo Whelan. Deputy managing director of the Debt Management Office, part of the Bank of England.
* Marina Wheeler. Barrister specialising in European Union law and wife of Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.
* Andy Wilton. Noted computer games programmer and proprietor of the Pazzazz gaming company.
* Cathie Wood. Co-founder/owner of the Frank Research market research agency.

References