University News Last updated 03 February 2011
Birmingham magazine publisher, Kerry Thomas (now Kerry O’Coy) is one of five outstanding graduates to be named in Birmingham City University’s end of year honours.
Kerry graduated from the BA Hons Media and Communication degree in 1997 and also the MA Media and Creative Enterprise in 2009 and has been nominated for two separate categories - Enterprise and Innovation, and Excellence in the Arts in the Birmingham City University Alumni of the Year 2010.
Kerry is on a mission to promote arts and creative industries in Birmingham. She set up independent publishing company, Fused, in 2000 with her now husband, David O’Coy, and through the award winning magazine she has become the mouthpiece for creative talent in the region and she is now an influential champion of creative talent.
Starting as a freely distributed regional magazine Fused is now distributed internationally and sold in shops and galleries in key cities. Quoted as ‘One of the Seven wonders of the magazine world’ and featured in design books across the globe Fused has worked with brands like Levi, Smirnoff, Bacardi, Ben Sherman, Virgin and many more to co-host a range of events. The Fused brand includes art, music and fashion events that span Europe and the States. Using some of the world's best designers and photographers the magazine has a cult following and a huge student readership.
In 2009 Kerry was placed number 41 in the Birmingham Post's Power 50 and was also chosen as one of the few women in the Insider Magazine’s 42 Under 42 awards.
Despite this, Kerry is modest about her considerable achievements. She said: “My course definitely helped me. I was not aware of having any entrepreneurial skills and I hadn’t decided exactly where I wanted to be, but I came out of university with a broad spectrum of skills. At first, I just wanted to be creative but now I get quite excited when we win new business. I have become the main business head.”
Kerry is equally humble about her nomination for Alumni of the Year. “I was really shocked and delighted to be nominated for the award,” added Kerry.