The Future of Media, Explained - from Press Gazette
New Statesman Media Group
Press Gazette has covered the world of news media since 1965. This podcast draws on the expertise of our award-winning team and brings in expert voices to explain one theme, idea, strategy or innovation every week.The Future of Media Explained aims to provide industry leaders with the information they need to create commercially successful businesses based on quality content. If you need to know about topics like: cookie-less targeting, data journalism, paywall strategies, content management systems, new publishing revenue strategies and audience growth tactics - then this is the podcast for you. It also aims to provide insight into the biggest challenge of all, how to lead and inspire people on the journey of technology-led change which ever major media company globally is going through.It is hosted by Press Gazette Editor-in-chief Dominic Ponsford who is joined every week by a member of the team sharing insights from their area of expertise and featuring interviews with some of the leading names in media globally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 20, 2025 • 22min
Forbes CEO Sherry Phillips on life after Google
Press Gazette UK editor Charlotte Tobitt speaks to Forbes CEO Sherry Phillips about how the US business brand has changed tack in response to massive changes in the way Google refers traffic to publishers.She said: "I think a lot of publishers were in the same spot, or still are in the same spot. And so for us, it's getting back to those core communities and those businesses and our editorial journalism that we take pride in and protect. And so how do we look at that in new revenue models?"And as the business evolves, as the digital ecosystem changes, there were certain parts of the company that were fully just servicing that digital ecosystem, which is now evaporating quite quickly." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 6, 2025 • 24min
Turmoil at The Telegraph, trouble at The Times | Misinformation and the Huntington train stabbings
Press Gazette editor-in-chief Dominic Ponsford and UK editor Charlotte Tobitt discuss the latest front in the Telegraph ownership battle, the publication of fake interviews on The Times, and the threat from social media misinformation in the wake of serious incidents like the stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 31, 2025 • 30min
Optimising programmatic advertising: What publishers need to know
Advertising has funded journalism and kept the lights on for democracy since the steam age.But in recent years many publishers have pulled away from relying so heavily on automated programmatic advertising as way of funding free online news.In this episode (sponsored by Assertive Yield) the company’s chief operating office Sherzod Rizaev explains some of the challenges publisher face extracting value from an advertising ecosystem filled with intermediaries all taking a cut.He says publishers don’t have to passively accept declining revenue but can increase their market share by taking back control of the technology which underpins online advertising.He said: “I’m generally optimistic about where we are heading as a publishing industry. We are moving from guesswork and patchwork to a world where publishers can operate with more certainty and precision and confidence of know exactly what they are publishing, how much money they are earning.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 1, 2025 • 41min
The race to video with Goalhanger's Jack Davenport
Whatever medium publishers started out on, many are now racing towards Youtube and other online video platforms as the fastest growing source of both audience and revenue.Goalhanger co-founder Jack Davenport joined Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford to discuss this phenomenon alongside consultant Connie Krarup of Q5 Partners. He revealed how the producer of hit shows such as The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Politics now sees itself as a video production company more than an audio producer and explained why podcasts is now a term eschewed by the high-ups at Goalhanger.Davenport also spoke about Goalhanger's commercial model, which includes strong incentives for hosts, and shared his tips for other publishers who want to succeed in an increasingly video-dominated media age.This edition was sponsored by Q5 Partners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 27min
Personalisation is paying off for Hamburger Morgenpost
Dana Schluenzen, Director of Product at Hamburger Morgenpost, shares insights into successful website personalization that improved click-through rates and user engagement. She discusses the impactful rollout strategy, the transition from a previous ineffective tool, and the importance of editorial control. Tarjei Gilbrant, CEO of Kilkaya, emphasizes informed personalization and avoiding black-box algorithms. Together, they explore how analytics dashboards enhance editorial decisions and how personalized experiences boost return visits, driving higher ad revenue.
10 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 37min
Why The Economist isn't doing deals with OpenAI
Luke Bradley-Jones, President of The Economist, discusses the publication's unique stance on AI, opting not to partner with OpenAI while focusing on customer relationships. He outlines a strategy for a post-search world by emphasizing differentiation and direct connections with readers. Luke introduces their new Substack newsletter, 'Off the Charts,' for niche data journalism. He argues The Economist excels with in-depth analysis over AI summaries, and he shares insights on alternative revenue streams and the importance of adapting to new media landscapes.
7 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 30min
Reach versus Newsquest, publishers versus AI and the break-up of Google
This discussion dives into the significant job cuts at Reach and its strategy to centralize news content while navigating AI challenges. The hosts contrast Reach's approach with Newsquest's local-first focus and innovative use of AI. They explore the implications of Google's breakup over its adtech dominance and examine the skepticism from publishers regarding AI-generated content. Finally, they ponder whether trusted, paywalled journalism could find renewed value as AI disrupts the publishing landscape.
Jul 31, 2025 • 40min
How the Kyiv Independent built 20,000 paying members in a warzone
Kyiv Independent launched in November 2021, just three months before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Here chief operating officer Zakhar Protsiuk talks to Press Gazette editor-in-chief Dominic Ponsford about building a 70-strong team out of nothing, funded mainly by reader revenue, and the ways they have had to constantly reinvent their model. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 37min
How The Times became a small screen success story
Edward Roussel, Head of Digital for Times Media, dives into the triumphant relaunch of the Times app, transforming it into a key commercial platform. He passionately explains why AI will never replace human journalism and emphasizes the importance of engaging mobile storytelling. Roussel discusses how innovative features drive subscriber loyalty and the art of refining user experience. The conversation also highlights strategic advertising and subscription growth, showcasing how the publication adapts to the fast-evolving landscape of digital media.
Jul 3, 2025 • 28min
On the front line of the reality wars with Rob Waugh
Rob Waugh talks about the shadowy figures who are successfully bombarding UK news media with fake content. Fictional experts and non-existent experts are conning their way into UK news media with the help dodgy PR companies. It's a lucrative business providing search engine juice to gambling sites and dubious online retailers. And it won't stop until publishers raise their game in terms of verifying the sources they quote. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
