The Publisher Podcast by Media Voices Immediate Media's Sean Cornwell on investing in AI experimentation, innovation and upskilling
Oct 6, 2025
Sean Cornwell, CEO of Immediate Media and a veteran in digital publishing, shares his insights on leveraging AI for innovation and growth. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on controllable strategies and maintaining strong first-party relationships with audiences. Sean discusses upskilling staff and fostering optimism through experimentation, as well as the irreplaceable value of human creativity in an AI-driven landscape. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of print in a digital future, advocating for premium experiences over standard formats.
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Lean Into Change With Clear Control
- Sean Cornwell frames AI as opportunity and change to lean into rather than fear.
- He urges focus on what you can control: clear strategy, execution, and communicating the why to teams.
What Remains Defensible In An AI World
- Defensible assets against AI include first-party relationships, category-leading brands, talent, IP, community and experiential offerings.
- Immediate focuses on brands, building talent, and experiential events as strategic defenses.
Encourage Experimentation With Micro Funding
- Invest in upskilling, regular experimentation days, and low-friction innovation funding to surface internal ideas.
- Empower bottom-up projects quickly with small grants and minimal bureaucracy to accelerate adoption and learning.