Meet the Team
ESC Insight would not be possible without our writers who contribute their thoughts to the site for us all to discuss, dissect and disagree with. While Sharleen and Ewan keep the website servers up and running, it’s the writers and contributors that give us our diversity and make ESC Insight the success that it is.
John Lucas
A writer and content marketing professional with a passion for getting lost in strange cities and a strange fascination with micro states, John has been with ESC Insight since 2015 and has also had his writing featured in publications including The Guardian, Popjustice and So So Gay. Tweetable @JLucas86.
Read John’s articles on ESC Insight here.
John Lucas
Ben Robertson
Ben Robertson lives in Sweden, and while Eurovision isn’t the reason he left the cold-shouldered shores of the UK for Stockholm, it did help. He has covered Eurovision for over a decade with an Insight lens. On Twitter @bensvision.
On ESC Insight, Ben was the first editor of our regular Insight Newsletter. Read Ben’s articles on ESC Insight.
Ben Robertson
Samantha Ross
Despite her American upbringing, Samantha has been an avid follower of the Eurovision Song Contest for many years. Ever since she heard “Sing Little Birdie” mentioned in a Monty Python sketch and discussed Dana International during her Bat Mitzvah training as a child, she was hooked. After years of prattling on about the Contest to her somewhat-bemused family and friends, she finally started The ESC Insider in late 2009. The site fused traditional news and reviews, with a historical and cultural perspective on the contest, bringing in as much random trivia as possible (she is, after all, the only ESC Insight writer to have appeared on Jeopardy!). This little pet project took on a life of its own, and she attended her first Eurovision as an accredited press member in 2011, where she was quickly brought into the fold at ESC Insight.
After serving as part of the web team for Junior Eurovision in 2014, 2015, 2021 and 2022, she also worked on the official EBU Communications team in 2022. She was drafted by the Bulgarian Delegation to serve as Assistant Head of Press in Kyiv and Lisbon. She’s also the co-founder of the 12 Points from America podcast. Born and raised in New Jersey, Samantha currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Read Samantha’s articles on ESC Insight.
Samantha Ross
Fin Ross Russell
Fin Ross Russell is the co-founder of Island Life Productions, an Edinburgh-based Community Interest Company working with emerging artists and members of the public to create high-quality art. Since founding the company, he completed his BA in Drama, Applied Theatre & Education from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
Following a year working at Chichester Festival Theatre as the theatre’s Education Assistant, Fin moved up to Edinburgh where alongside running the company, he has worked as a freelance facilitator for various companies including Scottish Youth Theatre, Edinburgh City Council, Strange Town, Ignite Theatre, Imaginate, LYRA, PACE Theatre Company and Lyceum Youth Theatre. Fin also lectures for the CGO Institute and recently assistant directed Perth Theatre’s main-stage production of Chaos. Fin is a board member of Catherine Wheels and Just Festivals.
Read Fin Ross’ articles on ESC Insight.
Fin Ross Russell
Ewan Spence
British Academy (BAFTA) nominated broadcaster and writer Ewan Spence is the voice behind The Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast and one of the driving forces behind ESC Insight. Having had an online presence since 1994, he is a noted commentator around the intersection of the media, internet, technology, mobility and how it affects us all. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, his work has appeared on the BBC, The Stage, STV, and The Times
Read Ewan’s articles on ESC Insight.
Ewan Spence
Sharleen Wright
Sharleen was born, bred and still resides in Sydney Australia. For the past 12 years she has worked as a freelance journalist and PR specialist for various interests and events such as Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Pacific Circle Music Convention (Australia), the University of Western Sydney, and the Melbourne International Film Festival. Her works have been published in both the UK and Australia, both online and print including Scottish magazine The List, Melbournes’ Beat street press, and in fan club magazines for cult TV shows – Red Dwarf, Press Gang, and the Eurovision Song Contest.
Read Sharleen’s articles on ESC Insight.
Sharleen Wright
Want to join the team? Here’s how to contribute to ESC Insight.