29 May 2025

A century of FIPP Congress: 2013-2019, the transformation years

From the early days of print to the rise of digital innovation, FIPP’s congresses have always been a reflection of the dynamic shifts in the media industry. This article series looks back at the key moments, trends, and challenges discussed over the past 100 years, highlighting how the industry’s leaders have navigated change and shaped the future of media.

Also in this series:

2020: Together, apart
2022–2024: The Cascais Years

FIPP Congress 2019: Navigating media’s digital transformation

“There are lots of new players entering the market. Primary examples would be Jeff Bezos buying the Washington Post [and] non-media groups getting involved, such as Authentic Brands Group, which acquired Sports Illustrated. So many legacy publishers see declining value in big brands whereas outside players see new potential there.”
– John Cabell, Founder, Owner & CEO, Cue Ball

Industry context

In 2019, the media industry was undergoing significant digital transformation. Publishers grappled with declining print revenues and the challenges of monetising digital content. The rise of social media platforms and changing consumer behaviours necessitated innovative approaches to content delivery and audience engagement. Data privacy concerns and the advent of artificial intelligence further complicated the media environment, prompting industry leaders to explore new strategies for sustainability and growth.

Key themes and topics

The Congress featured over 100 senior media industry leaders across more than 60 sessions, focusing on:

Audience engagement and monetisation: Exploring sustainable revenue models in the digital age.
Artificial Intelligence: Discussing the opportunities and challenges AI presents to media companies.
Diversity and Inclusion: Highlighting initiatives like the BBC’s 50:50 Project aimed at increasing representation in media content.
Innovation in content delivery: Examining new formats and platforms for storytelling, including podcasts and interactive media.

Featured presentations

Tyler Brûlé, Monocle, shared insights on building a fiercely independent media brand that spans print, digital, retail, and radio. PDF here.
D.W. Pine, Time Magazine, discussed the art and strategy behind Time’s iconic cover designs and their impact on brand identity. PDF here.
Angela Henshall, BBC, presented the 50:50 Project, emphasising the importance of diversity in journalism and content creation.
Stephan Hamberger, Red Bull Media House, explored how Red Bull leverages emerging technologies to engage audiences and transition from an energy drink company to a media powerhouse.
Lindsay Silver, Condé Nast, and Tor Jacobsen, Schibsted, participated in a panel on AI, discussing its implications for content personalisation and operational efficiency. PDF’s here and here
John Wilpers and Juan Señor, Innovation Media Consulting, presented the “Innovation in Media World Report,” highlighting successful revenue models and the importance of audience-centric strategies. PDF here.

Also: Lessons learnt from chasing innovation

FIPP Congress 2017: The rise of special interest media and cross-platform innovation

Industry context

In 2017, traditional publishers were challenges as digital subscriptions became more prevalent, yet often proved difficult to manage effectively. There was a notable shift towards special interest and vertical media, which offered more engaged and loyal audiences. Cross-platform strategies became essential, with publishers exploring e-commerce, video content, and other digital avenues to diversify revenue streams and enhance audience engagement.

Key themes and topics

The Congress featured over 60 speakers across multiple sessions, focusing on:

Special interest media: Emphasising the enduring power of niche content to attract dedicated audiences and advertisers.
Cross-platform strategies: Exploring how publishers can effectively distribute content across various platforms to maximise reach and engagement.
E-commerce integration: Discussing the opportunities and challenges of incorporating e-commerce into traditional publishing models.
Digital subscriptions: Addressing the complexities and potential pitfalls of managing digital subscription services.

Featured presentations

See all available videos here.

Innovation in magazines. Kerin O’Connor, Chief Executive of The Week, UK, shared insights on “The Week Junior,” a children’s magazine that achieved over 50,000 paid print subscribers within two years of its 2015 launch, highlighting the potential of print in engaging younger audiences.
Special interest media panel. Industry experts, including Yulia Boyle, National Geographic Partners, USA; Lisa Granatstein, Adweek, USA; and Gerrit Klein, Ebner Media Group, Germany, discussed the resilience and adaptability of special-interest brands in a multi-platform world.
Ecommerce expansion. Pete Wootton, Managing Director of Dennis Digital, UK, detailed how Dennis transformed a small car buyer e-commerce site from £400,000 to over £30 million in turnover within three years, demonstrating the potential of e-commerce in revenue diversification.
Brand development across borders. Leaders like Arnaud de Saint Simon, Psychologies Magazine, France; Tim Hudson, Immediate Media Co., UK, and Alastair Lewis, Haymarket Consumer Media, UK, explored strategies for building multi-platform international brands that resonate across borders.
Publishing strategy perspectives. Linda Yaccarino, Chair of Advertising Sales and Client Partnerships at NBC Universal, USA, questioned the sustainability of scale as a publishing strategy, suggesting a shift towards more targeted, vertical content offerings.
Diversity in media. Joanna Abeyie, Managing Director of Hyden Talent, UK, shared her journey in founding a diverse talent recruitment business and emphasised how diversity contributes to business success in the media industry.

FIPP Congress 2015: From print to mobile-first — a new era of global content

Industry context

The Toronto 2015 Congress marked a clear inflection point for the industry, a year in which digital-first strategies finally overtook print-first thinking, and mobile became central to everything from content creation to business development. There was growing consensus that “content is king” – but only if delivered how, where, and when audiences wanted it. This year marked a major philosophical and operational shift: it was no longer about uploading a PDF online or repackaging print, but about rethinking the entire content strategy, especially for mobile-first audiences.

Key themes and topics

Across multiple presentations and panels, the 2015 Congress focused on:

Mobile-first transformation: How legacy publishers could restructure around mobile-first thinking, both technologically and culturally.
Editorial reinvention: Editors and publishers explored how their roles, teams, and workflows needed to evolve — especially around data, social platforms, and new skills.
Cross-border brand expansion: With digital removing geographic barriers, speakers discussed how to build truly global brands, even with limited physical infrastructure.
B2B innovation: B2B publishers shared strategies for staying relevant by fostering innovation, aligning sales and content, and embracing full-funnel marketing for advertisers.

Featured presentations

See all available videos here.

Scratch your own itch, then scratch theirs. Colin Bodell, EVP & CTO at Time Inc., USA, outlined how Time Inc. was reinventing itself as a multi-channel content distributor. His message: premium content only delivers value if it’s accessible across platforms, on demand, and tailored to audience behaviour.
Transforming a 200-year-old publisher into a mobile-first powerhouse. Gerrit Klein and Dominik Grau of Ebner Media Group detailed how they transformed the business by embracing niche markets, reorganising teams, and focusing on mobile-first titles like WatchTime, leading to tangible growth and internal innovation.
The changing nature of cross-border business and brands. A panel of international experts discussed how the internet has erased distribution borders, allowing even smaller brands to go global — provided they understood digital-first audience strategies and built localised partnerships.
The role of the editor: what’s changed and what’s next? This lively panel featured global editors including Ariel Foxman, InStyle, USA; Brenda Diaz De La Vega, Harper’s Bazaar, Mexico; and Jane Johnson, Bauer Media, UK. Topics included the rise of data, new editorial skillsets, collaboration with commercial teams, and how to balance print with digital. The key insight: gut instinct now works alongside analytics and audience insight.
How B2B media stay relevant in a changing world. Leading B2B executives shared how they were reshaping operations to reflect digital behaviour, advertiser ROI expectations, and user experience. Their focus: fostering experimentation and innovation to stay agile and future-ready, while proving marketing value across the sales funnel.

FIPP Congress 2013: Print Profitability and Digital Momentum

Industry context

In 2013, Congress marked a pivotal moment where the industry embraced a hybrid approach, valuing the strengths of both print and digital. While digital platforms were gaining traction, there was a renewed confidence in the enduring value of print. Publishers recognised that while digital offered future growth opportunities, print remained a significant revenue driver. The focus shifted from a rapid transition to digital to a more integrated and sustainable approach, leveraging the strengths of both formats.

Key themes and topics

The Congress featured over 50 speakers and addressed several pivotal topics:

Print’s enduring profitability: Discussions emphasised that print magazines continued to generate substantial profits, and publishers were advised to build digital strategies around their successful print models.
Digital integration: Rather than viewing digital as a replacement, it was seen as a complementary extension to print, enhancing content delivery and audience engagement.
Mobile and tablet growth: The rise of smartphones and tablets was acknowledged, with strategies focusing on optimising content for these platforms to meet changing consumer behaviors.
Social media dynamics: The evolving role of social media in content distribution and audience interaction was explored, highlighting its importance in modern publishing strategies.
Global expansion: The digital era’s potential to transcend geographical boundaries was discussed, offering publishers opportunities for international growth.

Featured presentations

See all available videos here.

Print means profit. Jaromír Skopalík, President of the Czech Publishers Association, highlighted the continued profitability of print magazines and the importance of integrating digital strategies thoughtfully.
Digital Media Factbook launch. FIPP introduced the second edition of its World Digital Media Factbook, providing insights into global media revenue trends, mobile and tablet usage, and the growing significance of social media.
Social media insights. Michael Buitelaar, COO of Sanoma Digital, discussed the shift from push to pull in social media, emphasising the need for publishers to adapt to changing consumer control and engagement patterns.
Industry trends and networking. Chris Llewellyn, President and CEO of FIPP, underscored the Congress’s role in facilitating international relationships, sharing industry insights, and exploring business opportunities in the evolving media landscape.

The FIPP World Media Congress takes place in Madrid, Spain, from 21-23 October 2025.

This event will bring together media professionals from across the globe for three days of insightful discussions, keynote presentations, workshops, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned industry leader or a rising innovator, the FIPP Congress promises to be an unforgettable gathering that will shape the future of media. Book now with the Pre Agenda Offer to save 650EUR from final rates.

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