3:19 am - September 15, 2026
B2B publishers excel in redefining their value propositions and embracing change Bold pivots, like Euromoney’s shift from journalism to intelligence services, highlight adaptability AI is viewed as an asset rather than a threat, used to enhance specialised content and customer experience There is a lot to learn from B2B…
Berkshire increases stake in The New York Times to $1.1 billion Rising digital subscriptions and advertising boost publisher’s performance Investment signals confidence in media’s digital transition and subscription model Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has continued to build its position in The New York Times, extending a bet on legacy media…
Macron advocates for a unified European ban on social media use for children under 15 The EU aims to deploy a privacy-respecting age verification app by 2026 Critics highlight challenges in rolling out secure and effective age checks across member states French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for an EU-wide…
Byron Allen cuts 35% of BuzzFeed’s workforce to improve profitability Restructuring aims to shift focus towards streaming via Local Now Company plans significant cost savings and content realignment Byron Allen has begun a sharp overhaul of BuzzFeed, cutting about 180 jobs and contract roles across BuzzFeed, HuffPost and Tasty in what amounts to roughly 35% of the workforce. The reductions, disclosed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, are the first major restructuring since Allen’s family office took control of the digital publisher in May. BuzzFeed said the move is designed to simplify operations, lower costs and…
Highlights the importance of integrating AI in newsrooms to foster meaningful change Emphasises the need for journalists and managers to view AI as a tool for value creation Warns of cultural hurdles and stress on verifying information in the AI era Need some summer reading? This week’s newsletter comes in the form of a book review. Not perhaps a suggestion for the sun lounger, but nevertheless one that every journalist should read. It’s called AI in the News Room and it was written by Martin Schori, former head of the AI Hub at Aftonbladet in Stockholm and now the…
Berlin-based startup Beatsquares raises $2 million in seed funding to enhance its AI platform The platform converts editorial content into multiple formats across digital channels Funding will support team expansion and international growth efforts Berlin-based AI startup Beatsquares has raised $2 million (about €1.8 million) in seed funding to expand its platform for automatically repurposing editorial content across multiple digital channels. The round was co-led by IBB Ventures and XTR Capital, with participation from ddvg, Dutch media investor V-Ventures and a group of business angels. It follows a $500,000 pre-seed investment secured in late 2024. Founded in 2024, Beatsquares aims…
Suggestion for industry-focused ‘Festival of Failure’ to promote open discussion of setbacks Critique of current journalism events highlighting repetition and lack of actionable takeaways Advocates for shorter days, more networking, and panels focused on failures to foster growth and innovation “I want to start an uncomfortable conversation: Are there too many journalism events?” So said Marcela Kunova, the owner and operator of journalism.co.uk (JUK), last week. She continued: “I just looked at my agenda and JUK events calendar. It’s gone out of hand. Conferences, festivals, summits, workshops, talks, congresses, study tours, awards. Dozens of great events are clustered between April…
Disney-owned 20th Television partners with Vox Media Studios to develop scripted and unscripted projects Focus on adapting journalism and podcasts from Vox Media brands for Disney+ and other outlets Partnership reflects industry trend of transforming established media content into premium streaming entertainment Disney-owned 20th Television has struck a multi-year first-look agreement with Vox Media Studios, broadening a relationship that will give both companies room to develop scripted and unscripted projects built around Vox Media’s reporting and podcast brands. The deal is expected to feed into Disney Entertainment Television outlets including Disney+, with a particular emphasis on adapting material from New…
Media Concierge Group posts £12.9m EBITDA for first full period post-acquisition Integration of National World (now Iconic Media Group) has gone smoothly, boosting performance Company aims to strengthen local titles while expanding its UK and Ireland publishing footprint Media Concierge Group has said the integration of National World has gone…
Economist launches Economist Play, a $15/month multimedia bundle combining videos, podcasts, and newsletters Strategy aims to reach a younger, gender-balanced audience with mobile-first content Emphasis on newsroom authenticity through faces and voices, moving away from anonymity The Economist has launched a lower-cost subscription bundle built around audio and video, in…
Data shows games and interactive content drive deeper user loyalty. Publishers are overestimating the importance of breaking news for app retention. Investment should focus on habit-forming features to reduce churn and build routines. I used to bristle when I worked at The Sunday Times and a friend said he had…
Der Spiegel refuses to let AI write or rewrite its articles, citing responsibility and trust. Industry faces tension between efficiency and accountability in adopting AI tools. Growing concerns over accuracy, transparency, and the future role of human journalists. Whether journalists should use artificial intelligence to write stories has become one…
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Getty Images strikes a multi-year licensing deal with OpenAI The partnership enhances ChatGPT’s image relevance and trustworthiness Shares rise as Getty aims to monetise its archive amid AI-driven disruption Getty Images has struck a multi-year licensing deal with OpenAI that will allow its pictures to appear in ChatGPT’s search and…
Complaint alleges that OpenAI and Microsoft used nearly 400 newspapers’ reporting without permission Case marks the largest coordinated legal action by local news publishers on AI training issues Suit aims to protect local journalism and challenge the use of copyrighted material in AI development A coalition of local newspaper publishers…
Forbes launches Forbes Creator to leverage social media personalities New platform combines journalistic content with creator autonomy Aims to expand reach, diversify content, and develop commercial opportunities Forbes is deepening its push into creator-led distribution, using social media personalities and specialist voices to widen its reach beyond its own platforms…
Social media and video now the primary news sources globally Trust in news drops to a historic low of 37%, with Americans trusting only 25% News organisations face the challenge of rebuilding trust amidst AI content proliferation Forget the World Cup, for news nerds this week has brought unbridled excitement…
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A debate in Lexington underscores tensions between traditional reporting and AI-assisted news The Kentucky Lantern champions human-made journalism, while Lexington Times utilises AI for coverage The dispute reflects broader challenges facing shrinking local news ecosystems across the US A small but telling dispute in Lexington, Kentucky, has opened a wider argument about the future of local journalism, especially the role of artificial intelligence in newsrooms that are trying to survive with fewer staff and thinner budgets. The spark came when Linda Blackford, editor-in-chief of the Kentucky Lantern, wrote about AI and journalism and stressed that the Lantern’s work is produced…
Bonnier News poised to become majority owner of Irish media group after partnership expansion Deal under review by regulators, with new leadership and board structure upcoming Business Post Group cites significant financial recovery and growth prospects Swedish publisher Bonnier News is set to become the majority owner of Business Post Group, in a deal that will leave founder Enda O’Coineen with a significant minority stake through his Kilcullen Family Office. The transaction marks a further step in a relationship that began in 2023, when Bonnier took a minority equity position in the Irish company. It still requires approval from the…
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The Daily Aus achieves financial break-even with 310,000 newsletter subscribers. Pivot from social media reliance to newsletters drives growth and sustainability. Diversified content and trust-driven journalism securing resilience in youth media sector. The Daily Aus, a youth-oriented Australian news outlet, has reached a major milestone by breaking even financially for the first time, marking a rare success story in the struggling digital media sector. Co-founder Sam Koslowski told Mumbrella the company has “totally inverted the revenue mix” over the past two years, shifting from reliance on social media to a strong newsletter-based model. The Daily Aus now claims 310,000 newsletter…
Teen Vogue to operate under Vogue’s digital platform, maintaining its youth-focused identity Editor-in-chief Versha Sharma departs amid organisational restructuring Staff layoffs spark criticism, raising concerns over political coverage for young audiences Teen Vogue is merging with Vogue.com, a major shift that will see its editor-in-chief, Versha Sharma, depart after less than two years in the role. The move is part of Condé Nast’s broader effort to streamline operations and extend Vogue’s digital reach, particularly among younger readers who have become crucial to the brand’s growth online. Chloe Malle, Vogue’s head of editorial content, will oversee both Vogue and Teen Vogue.…
The former National World has appointed Morgan Stevenson as its new chief growth officer Stevenson brings extensive digital and commercial experience from Newsquest and other roles The move signals a strategic push towards digital subscriptions and sustainable growth in regional media Iconic, formerly known as National World, has secured a significant appointment in its leadership ranks by recruiting Morgan Stevenson as its new chief growth officer. Stevenson joins Iconic under its new ownership, Media Concierge, which acquired the company from David Montgomery in May. With a commanding portfolio of 150 regional news brands across the UK and Ireland –including prominent…
The Lansing Journal seeks 50 new monthly donors to unlock a $12,000 matching fund The campaign aims to boost community engagement and financial stability Experts highlight matching gifts as a vital strategy for sustaining independent local news The Lansing Journal is poised for a major fundraising boost through its inaugural participation in NewsMatch, a nationwide campaign that supports nonprofit journalism by matching reader donations. The initiative offers donors the chance to double the impact of their contributions, particularly encouraging new monthly supporters whose gifts will be matched for a full year. The campaign challenges The Lansing Journal to recruit 50…
Puck and Air Mail deal unites two premium brands The move expands Puck’s reach into luxury, travel, and lifestyle sectors Reflects ongoing consolidation trend in subscription newsletter market Puck has finalised its acquisition of Air Mail, the upscale weekly newsletter founded by former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and Alessandra Stanley, in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at about $16 million. The deal brings together two subscription-first brands targeting affluent, culturally attuned audiences. Air Mail, launched in 2019 after Carter’s departure from Vanity Fair, built a reputation for high-end travel, culture and society coverage. Puck, founded in 2021 by Kelly, has…
News UK introduces Octave AI, an innovative platform for automating audio ad creation and optimisation. The system uses AI-generated voices, music, and sound effects to craft tailored, broadcast-ready campaigns within minutes. Octave AI combines data-driven targeting with human creativity, transforming the future of podcast and radio advertising. News UK has launched Octave AI, a platform that uses artificial intelligence to automate the creation and optimisation of audio advertising across radio and podcasts. Developed within its Octave audio business in partnership with AI firm AudioStack, the system aims to produce broadcast-ready, personalised campaigns in minutes. The launch matters because it marks…
Journalists are turning to independent, creator-style publishing for more creative control Most creator journalists operate with modest social media followings and income struggles remain significant The shift reflects industry decline and a desire for autonomy in an evolving media landscape A recent Muck Rack study reveals a steady rise in “creator journalism” – independent publishing by journalists outside traditional newsrooms. Of 1,515 journalists surveyed across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and India, 522 identified as creator journalists. Half have been self-publishing for more than five years, suggesting a maturing segment rather than a passing trend. The appeal lies chiefly…
SEO now prioritises trust and credibility over traditional tactics AI systems influence rankings through reputation and authority Content must be optimised for AI snippets and zero-click experiences BrightonSEO 2025 signalled a decisive shift in search strategy: trust has replaced traditional optimisation as the key to success. The consensus among speakers at the UK’s leading SEO event was clear: SEO is no longer about gaming algorithms but about building genuine credibility with both users and the AI systems shaping search results. That transformation, said Yordan Dimitrov, captures the new reality: the era of “SEO versus AI” is over. Search engines and…
Creators now often surpass traditional outlets as primary news sources on social platforms Significant country differences in news engagement with influencers Gender and platform dynamics are redefining the media landscape Creators and influencers are becoming central to the way people consume news, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ). The study, Mapping News Creators and Influencers on Social and Video Networks, draws on survey data from 24 countries and expands on the 2025 Digital News Report to chart the growing role of individual personalities in shaping public understanding of news. The findings…
Creators now often surpass traditional outlets as primary news sources on social platforms Significant country differences in news engagement with influencers Gender and platform dynamics are redefining the media landscape Creators and influencers are becoming central to the way people consume news, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ). The study, Mapping News Creators and Influencers on Social and Video Networks, draws on survey data from 24 countries and expands on the 2025 Digital News Report to chart the growing role of individual personalities in shaping public understanding of news. The findings…
