A new era: How the FIPP and WAN-IFRA merger will benefit members
The recent merger of FIPP and WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, comes with huge benefits for the membership of both global associations. As FIPP and WAN-IFRA pool their wealth of expertise, members will gain access to even more reports, events and consultancy services in 2026.
By joining forces, FIPP and WAN-IFRA have created the world’s largest and most diverse global alliance of media companies, uniting over 20,000 media brands and technology companies across 120 countries.
This strategic consolidation between FIPP and WAN-IFRA brings together complementary strengths from both associations to support media companies navigating rapid change. It’s a statement that in a fragmented and challenging digital landscape, collaboration and consolidation are not just beneficial; it’s a strategic imperative.
For FIPP members, these are exciting times laden with opportunity. Not only will they continue to have unlimited access to FIPP’s reports, discounts to events and consultation services, but can now also tap into WAN-IFRA’s broad set of practical resources, expertise and global connections, acquired over the course of almost 80 years.
“Our industry faces unprecedented disruption, change and opportunity. Having joined forces to create such a strong and global alliance of media companies our members can really benefit on many fronts and together we will most definitely be stronger,” says Alastair Lewis, Executive Director, FIPP/Consumer & Special Interest Media, WAN-IFRA.
“I am very excited by our plans for FIPP Insiders in 2026, the reports and industry overviews we will publish, the work our AI working group is doing and of course returning to Madrid for our next FIPP World Media Congress there in October.
“To know that our members will enjoy all of this PLUS all of the benefits of WAN-IFRA membership is fantastic, and I can’t wait to see where else we can collaborate in order to continue our mission to Connect Global Media and help our members to grow their businesses.”
In addition to the much-anticipated FIPP World Media Congress and FIPP Insiders, members will continue to have access to webinars, trainings and roundtables; will be eligibile for advisory board roles and working groups; will get access to the “FIPP Concierge” introductions service; receive discounts on FIPP Consulting and partner perks; and get first choice of sponsorship and partnership options.
Added to this, the merger with WAN-IFRA presents FIPP members with new opportunities for peer exchange beyond magazines and special-interest media. For instance, working with independent news creators poses many of the same challenges for magazines and news publishers. By joining the News Creators Exchange at WAN-IFRA, members will get immediate access to a range of knowledge, events and playbooks on this specific topic.
“What’s really powerful about the FIPP and WAN-IFRA alliance is that members don’t lose anything they value today, they only gain more!” says Stig Ørskov, CEO at WAN-IFRA. “Publishers keep their familiar benefits, communities and expertise, but now have access to a much broader network and deeper know-how across the full media ecosystem.
“Whether you’re focused on journalism, audience growth, technology, revenue, print, digital or leadership, the combined organisation brings together practical experience and global peer learning that simply wasn’t connected before.
“It’s about strengthening what members already rely on, while opening the door to new perspectives, skills and connections based on the same fundamental values of promoting press freedom and advocate for the independence of news media organisations.”
The merger means that FIPP members will get full access to WAN-IFRA’s Knowledge Hub – a constantly growing library of research, case studies, data, presentations and event/webinar recordings from around the world designed to be practical and immediately usable inside organisations.
FIPP members are already pre-approved and simply have to create an account on the Knowledge Hub to gain access. In addition, FIPP members can join global expert groups and communities, take part in invitation-only roundtables, and connect directly with peers facing similar strategic challenges, including AI in media, newsroom transformation, audience and revenue growth, media policy, print and distribution, and more.
FIPP members can also look forward to discounts for WAN-IFRA flagship events, regional conferences, study tours and leadership programmes, including a study tour to San Francisco (spaces are still available), the webinar with OpenAI later this week and the World News Media Congress in Marseille (June 1-3, 2026).
Throughout, WAN-IFRA’s specialist teams and networks will be on hand to lend support that strengthens journalism, press freedom, and the long-term sustainability of independent media.
More information about WAN-IFRA services and activities can be found at wan-ifra.org/FIPP-welcome.
