Five sessions we are looking forward to at the Reinventing Media Business Forum in Riga

Editor’s note: This article was created in partnership with the Reinventing Media Business Forum.

We are counting down to the Reinventing Media Business Forum, which will take place in Riga on October 3-4. The conference brings together media managers, editors, marketing professionals, and digital experts from around the world. Speakers will represent Schibsted, Göteborgs-Posten, The Guardian, Deutsche Welle, and other top media organisations.

With only two weeks to go, here’s a quick look at five interesting sessions we are especially looking forward to.

1. AI in the News – how we innovate through exploration of emerging technologies (October 3)

Long before the world discovered ChatGPT, Schibsted, a Norway-based media giant, was experimenting with ethical and effective use of generative AI – from more basic use cases like helping software engineers write code to bolder experiments such as converting written news stories into AI-generated music. 

Andreas Bengtsson, head of the Futures Lab at Schibsted, will share the company’s experience at the Reinventing Media Business Forum.

2. 10 Mistakes I did Building Up an Investigative Network (October 3)

Investigative media are one of the trickiest types of outlet to manage – and even more so to build. Security issues, long production cycles, hiring challenges… a lot of things can go wrong.

For close to four years Rawan Damen has led the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism, a leading organisation dedicated to promoting investigative journalism across the Middle East and North Africa. In this session she will share and reflect on her lessons learnt.

3. Mental support in times of war (October 3) 

Mental health is a growing issue across the media world. Probably one of the most difficult cases is that of journalists covering difficult topics like Russia’s war against Ukraine – even for those working from afar, let alone on the frontlines.

Daryna Shevchenko, CEO of The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine’s leading English-language news outlet, will share her organisation’s experience in offering mental support in times of war.

4. Using target group content to grow subscriptions: the Case of Helsingin Sanomat (October 4)

Helsingin Sanomat is the biggest subscriber-funded newspaper in Finland (and likely the biggest in the world, relative to population size), boasting close to 10% of Finns as subscribers. 

Vesa Lindqvist, Strategic Partnerships Manager at the outlet’s parent company Sanoma, will share their experience driving subscription growth.

5. Panel discussion: Introducing a subscription model (October 4)

As subscription revenue has grown more important for news outlets in recent years, introducing a subscription model might be one of the few viable solutions for many publications. This panel will bring four top media managers from Baltic countries and Finland – CEO of Ekspress Grupp Mari-Liis Rüütsalu, CEO of Delfi Latvia Konstantīns Kuzikovs, Vesa Lindqvist, and CEO of 15min group Tomas Balžekas.

• Check more information about the entire program and learn how to sign up at the conference’s website

Source of the cover photo: Reinventing Media Business Forum

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