The first time I met Scene magazine’s publisher Bret Downe was in ‘96.

I was a faithful reader of Scene from its earliest days and after a stint as a reviewer for UWO’s Gazette, I called and asked if they were looking for theatre reviews. Then Scene Arts Editor Jim French said, “No, but you wouldn’t happen to know anything about classical music, would you?”

“Do I know classical music! When do you need me to start?” Well, I listened to it anyway. If Jim had asked me to write cat reviews, I would have said I was an expert on pussies.

Within a short period of time, I was recommended for the position of Arts Editor. It was then that I first actually dealt with the man. For some reason, we always got along. We couldn’t be more different, yet I don’t think then or in the 13 years since have cross words ever passed between us.

I remember when Scene had its 10th Anniversary in ‘99, I spearheaded a celebratory issue. I think Bret was amused by my enthusiasm. Well, here we are a decade later and Scene has passed the 20 year threshold without fanfare.

Not fair, I tell you. I sat down with Bret for a short chat. Here is our unedited interview.

1. Donald D’Haene: What is your recipe for success, Bret?
2. Bret Downe: Donald, I do appreciate you taking the time to speak with me about Scene’s anniversary. You are very thoughtful—
3. DD: Twenty years of Scene! That’s a milestone worthy of attention!
4. BD:
   

   For success, I think that it has come because of two things; providing my readers with a high quality newspaper and applying sound administrative management principles.

   Scene is about providing readers with the best entertainment, arts and news coverage that may be had in London. My readers confirm that I am succeeding at accomplishing this goal because their numbers have continued to grow. At the same time, I continue to apply sound administrative management principles in the day-to-day operations of Scene, in order to help ensure my readers that they may expect to receive a high quality product, consistently, as they have for 20 years now.

5. DD: Describe your passion for the business of publishing.
6. BD: This is interesting work. London is a very diverse and vibrant city — conservative, yes, but only to a point. We are very quick to adopt new ideas when it is abundantly clear that everyone’s best interests will be even better served. Scene is a case in point. The beginnings of Scene were very much music and arts rooted. Today, my readers continue to enjoy the music and arts coverage and have adopted the news coverage as well.
7. DD: I’ll bet many Londoners don’t know about your background, education.
8. BD: Ryerson Public School, Central Secondary School (academic), H. B. Beal (academic & arts), U.W.O. (Honors and Masters Degrees in Business Administration at Ivey).
9. DD: Impressive. What do you say to those who perceive Scene as a music-based newspaper?
10. BD: Music — like the arts, news and other entertainment — is very much one of the basic, or fundamental building blocks of Scene — thank you very much!
11. DD: Describe your support of the arts community.
12. BD: For an unadulterated description of my support for our arts, please pick up the current edition and feast your eyes on the editorial — you will find free event listings for all the arts and important articles.
13. DD: Well, I know I always do! And so how is Scene adjusting to an ever-changing media world?
14. BD: I continue to remain open to new ideas and adopt those that will serve my readers the best. I have developed three distinct yet inter-related websites: scenemagazine.com, myscenespace.ca and londonmusicawards.com. These sites generate over 150,000 page views every month.
15. DD: You have maintained a very low-key personality over the years. Or how would you describe it?
16. BD: If publishing a newspaper that has more than 77,000 readers is low-key, then I’ll just have to do even better!
17. DD: Touché. Twenty years later, do you feel like you have something still to prove?
18. BD: I’ve never felt that I have had to prove something with Scene — but I have felt and continue to feel that I want to make it successful.
19. DD: Well, then you’ve achieved the goal — 20 years of Scene is a success on any level. How have you changed? Compare the 20 years ago Bret to you now?
20. BD: I look older, but not by that much.
21. DD: One last question. Any regrets?
22. BD: Zero!