Tuesday, July 29, 2014

FIR Interview: Photographer/Social Activist Angus Malcolm on Online Communication and Fundraising

Warwick Rowers 2012 calendarAngus Malcolm has been behind the creative force behind the Warwick Rowers naked calendar, Warwick Rowers describes itself as a large and highly active sports club with substantial ambitions. This year the club is attending over 20 competitions across the length and breadth of the country during a 40-week racing season. Whether novice or experienced, male or female, as a member of Warwick Rowing, athletes can expect to participate in a determined and enthusiastic rowing programme.” The Naked Calendar is a fundraiser, with calendars featuring nude pictures of rowers that have been a viral success.

In this interview, FIR contributor Harry Hawk interview Malcolm about the role social media played in the calendar’s success among other topics, including fundraising, online communications, and helping to fight homophobia.

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About our Conversation Partner

Angus MalcolmWith a background in social activism, healthcare and media production, Angus Malcolm now specializes in promoting personal empowerment and social change through innovative approaches to communications. In particular, he focuses on how we can use viral media as both consciousness-raising and fund-raising tools.

His best known project at the moment is the Warwick Rowers range of calendars and films, which he produces.  These feature a group of predominantly heterosexual male college athletes in the UK’s equivalent of the Ivy League. For six years, rowers at Warwick University have been stripping naked for calendars and films that are popular with gay men as well as women.  The athletes undress to prove the point that we can all be comfortable with a diverse sexual culture that embraces all sexualities.  Alongside production of the Warwick Rowers products, he is currently focusing on establishing Sport Allies, a charity to challenge homophobia that is being funded from the sales of Warwick Rowers products.

Malcolm divides his time between homes in London and Southern Spain, and also travel regularly for his work.  Recent projects have taken him to South Africa, California and Australia, where a Sydney gallery hosted an exhibition of his photography.

Connect with Malcolm on Twitter at @Angus_Malcolm
Connect with Harry Hawk on Twitter at @hhawk

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This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

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Posted by shel on 07/29 at 04:28 PM
Show Notes • Interviews • (1) Comments • Permalink