Meet the team
Gary Firkins ACIPR, Director
Gary has 15 years’ experience working in the media – and a lifetime’s experience in golf. A former deputy editor of Golf World magazine, and business editor of Golf Weekly, Gary has worked with and interviewed some of the biggest names in golf.
Born into a family of golf professionals that produced two Ryder Cup players, Gary combined his interests and experiences in the media and golf business in 2003 when he established Landmark Media.
“As a journalist, I was surprised to find how many golf businesses were represented by public relations companies who didn't understand golf and had little idea what the media really wanted or needed,” says Gary, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. “At Landmark Media we work professionally and honestly for our clients and are driven by a genuine desire to make a positive difference to their businesses.”
Gary is a 2-handicap golfer at The Luffenham Heath Golf Club, Rutland, and previously played for the Loughborough University and English Universities golf teams.
John McKenzie, Director
John has 20 years’ experience of the specialist media industry and has worked for and managed some of the country’s most iconic brands. A former associate editor and equipment editor of Today’s Golfer magazine, John travelled the world meeting many of the industry’s key influencers and breaking some of golf’s biggest product stories.
He was part of the senior team that successfully merged Today’s Golfer Magazine with FORE! Magazine in May 2000. It then went on to become the country’s biggest-selling consumer golf title.
Prior to joining Landmark Media, John was a divisional Managing Director at Bauer Media, Europe’s biggest magazine publisher. In this role, John was responsible for the delivery of a multi-million pound budget and led the teams from six magazines, five websites and two large events businesses.
John has industry-credited diplomas in both journalism and publishing and has a deep understanding of business strategy, budget management, tactical planning and product launches.
His home course is Thorpe Wood Golf Club, Peterborough, where he has a handicap of 11.
Matthew Millard, Account Manager
Matthew is an experienced, award-winning journalist and former editor of The PGA Professional, the official magazine of the Professional Golfers’ Association.
Matthew started his journalistic career as a reporter for his local newspaper, before being appointed sports editor. He then moved on to daily newspapers, writing about a number of sports including golf and football. Interviewing Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is among Matthew’s career highlights.
Matthew was responsible for the successful re-launch of The PGA Professional in 2007, an influential golf trade publication distributed to all PGA members in the UK. He is an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Matthew is a keen club golfer and member at St Neots Golf Club, Cambridgeshire.
Martin Fox, Associate Marketing Consultant
Martin has been in marketing for 25 years. His previous agency was responsible for the brand development of the likes of David Leadbetter, Nick Faldo and the Lambourn Club.
Martin’s skills lie in encapsulating the right messages, identifying the key target audiences and then getting the message across in the most appropriate way – practical marketing that makes a genuine difference.
Martin is an occasional golfer these days – but possesses a canny game that makes him the ideal partner!