The initiative aims to enhance revenue and adapt to changing reader habits under the leadership of Krissah Thompson and Samantha Henig.
The Washington Post has firmed up its plans for a “third newsroom” with the launch of WP Ventures, aimed at broadening its audience reach, enhancing revenue and maintaining relevance amid the rapidly changing media environment. The move was announced by executive editor Matt Murray, who highlighted the urgency of adapting to evolving reader habits and the fundamental economics of the news industry.
The new venture will be under the leadership of managing editor Krissah Thompson, who has extensive experience at the Post over two decades. Thompson’s previous roles include covering civil rights and the White House, as well as leading initiatives in the audio team and the Style section.
Speaking about the new undertaking, Murray noted that the objective is to devise a plan focused on expanding the paper’s presence across social media and tapping into new commercial opportunities within consumer and lifestyle journalism.
In conjunction with Thompson, Samantha Henig has been appointed as general manager of WP Ventures. Henig’s background includes significant contributions to The New York Times, where she co-founded the award-winning audio division and played a pivotal role in the creation of The Daily podcast. Her wealth of experience, which also includes roles at BuzzFeed and various editorial positions at the New York Times, is expected to foster innovative and diverse engagement strategies for the publication.
WP Ventures is set to establish its headquarters on the fourth floor of The Washington Post’s DC office, an area designed to promote a culture of experimentation and learning as the team explores new formats that align with the paper’s journalistic values. Among the staff transitioning into this new division are teams focused on Video, Audio, Newsletters, Special Initiatives, Well+Being, and Inspired Life.
Murray emphasised the need for rapid innovation in reaching untapped audiences, which is crucial given the transformations occurring within the industry. He expressed confidence in Thompson and Henig’s abilities to push journalism boundaries and navigate the complexities of the digital landscape effectively.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thewrap.com/washington-post-third-newsroom/ – Corroborates the initiative of WP Ventures, the rebranded ‘Third Newsroom’ of The Washington Post, and its goals of broadening audience reach and enhancing revenue.
- https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/402089/wp-ambition-the-washington-post-rebrands-its-th.html – Provides details on the rebranding of the ‘Third Newsroom’ to WP Ventures and the leadership roles of Krissah Thompson and Samantha Henig.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post – Contextualizes The Washington Post’s history, current challenges, and the need for strategic initiatives like WP Ventures to adapt to the changing media environment.
- https://www.thewrap.com/washington-post-third-newsroom/ – Mentions the involvement of Managing Editor Krissah Thompson and General Manager Samantha Henig in WP Ventures, aligning with their described roles and experiences.
- https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/402089/wp-ambition-the-washington-post-rebrands-its-th.html – Details the objectives of WP Ventures, including expanding the paper’s presence across social media and exploring new commercial opportunities in consumer and lifestyle journalism.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post – Discusses the ongoing challenges and transformations in the media industry, highlighting the need for rapid innovation and adaptation as emphasized by Matt Murray.
- https://www.thewrap.com/washington-post-third-newsroom/ – Describes the setup of WP Ventures’ headquarters and the culture of experimentation and learning it aims to foster.
- https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/402089/wp-ambition-the-washington-post-rebrands-its-th.html – Lists the teams transitioning into WP Ventures, including Video, Audio, Newsletters, Special Initiatives, Well+Being, and Inspired Life.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post – Provides context on The Washington Post’s current financial and audience challenges, which WP Ventures aims to address through innovative strategies.
- https://www.thewrap.com/washington-post-third-newsroom/ – Outlines the ongoing development and future plans for WP Ventures as it continues into the New Year.
- https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/402089/wp-ambition-the-washington-post-rebrands-its-th.html – Reiterates The Washington Post’s commitment to diversifying content distribution and monetization approaches to remain competitive in the evolving media landscape.
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