Energy is the world’s indispensable business, and as the sector evolves, the knowledge needed to understand how it's changing continues to grow.
Forward-thinking analysis and inside intelligence are becoming ever more important, and the FT has a unique energy proposition that is valued by thousands of professionals daily. In the second of our three-part interview with the FT's US energy editor, Derek Brower, we discuss the strengths of FT's energy coverage more generally, including the newly relaunched Energy Source newsletter.
What are the most striking things you've noticed about working at the FT?
Derek Brower: One of the things I've really liked about the FT since joining is how much collaboration there is across different disciplines, and different subject matters, and different places. We did a really good job on the Russia-Saudi OPEC crash story for a couple of months. We led the news agenda on that.
Tell us a bit about how the team is spread regionally.
DB: There's tonnes of expertise that's able to be tapped across the FT, from Hong Kong, to London to New York, to South America, and soon to be in Houston. I think this speaks to the collaborative aspect of the FT. I'm really chuffed about it. It's going to make this news source even better because we can draw from this range of experts around the world.
What differentiates the FT's energy coverage when you compare it to other sources?
DB: We have strengths that our competitors don't have. First of all we have huge breadth and expertise. The breadth comes from our reporters, who have covered OPEC and the big moving parts of the global energy industry for a long time, and who are known for doing so.
Who are you and the team writing for in terms of audience?
DB: When it comes to the US, we're not just focused on the local story. When I'm writing a story for the FT about what's happening in Texas, I want it to be comprehensible for everyone, whether they’re experts in the field, or new to the space. We have more opportunities to go after stories with a speed and depth that some of the traditional American newspapers can't.
How would you describe the FT's approach to reporting on the energy space?
DB: The best British journalism is about getting to the story, doing it quickly, getting what you need, as fast as possible, as soon as you can get it out and some of that still lives on in the FT. Even though the FT is very much a global newspaper, we still have that kind of original Fleet Street zest about how we tackle some stories.
What’s unique about working for the FT in comparison to other media outlets?
DB: We can be a bit more familiar with some of our sources, which makes me and the people I talk to feel like they're speaking to an audience, rather than speaking to journalists. I think that the real strength of the FT is the calling card. People are willing to speak to you, and they trust you. They know you won't get the story wrong.
I think that opens doors, gives us better stories, gives us better access to the people that matter, allows us to tell stories from the inside, when necessary, and do so in a neutral and authoritative way.
The relaunched Energy Source newsletter highlights select news, insight and agenda-shaping commentary from around the globe, about the energy space.
You can click here to sign up immediately to Energy Source, if you’re an FT subscriber.
If you’re interested in finding out how you can subscribe to Energy Source, along with our range of newsletters covering topics from M&A to global trade, please get in touch with our support team.
