Rapid-Round Congress Q&A: Natasha Christie-Miller, former President, Retail & Financial Services, Ascential

The renaissance in B2B media has been one of the publishing success stories of the last decade. Companies across the globe have created thriving businesses by creating communities and going in deep serving them with great content while harnessing data-driven new revenue streams.

Among the companies that have pioneered this approach and reaped the rewards is Ascential Intelligence. As the company’s President, Retail & Financial Services, Natasha Christie-Miller tells us in this interview excellent customer service, product quality and smart technology are the keys to B2B success.

At FIPP World Media Congress in Cascais, Portugal, on 6-8 June, Natasha will present Data-driven Communities: Insights from B2B Media’s Most Successful Platforms.

For specially discounted tickets click here.

Here she responds to our rapid-round questions.

Who are you? And what is your role in the media/publishing? 

My last role was President and CEO of Ascential Intelligence. Ascential Intelligence is a portfolio of nine B2B businesses across a range of markets including fashion, retail, construction, politics, environmental data, consumer packaged goods.

What have been the highlights of your career in media/publishing so far?

Our businesses were all specialists with focused aims. Ranging from business leads for contractors in construction, product design in fashion and consumer packaged goods, property safety for conveyancers.

Projects I’m most proud of include:

  • When I was CEO of EMAP we transformed our B2B publishing business from an advertising-reliant print business to a thriving digital subscriptions and events one. We turned around a 25-year declining subscription line to a healthy growing customer volume and revenue line.
  • The verticalisation strategy of WGSN, Ascential’s largest  individual business, the global product design trend forecasting platform. After 20 years of successfully predicting trends in the fashion industry with the vast majority of the world’s fashion businesses as clients we turned to other verticals to add to the WGSN offering. We now have separate offerings for the beauty market, food and drink, consumer technology and Consumer insight.  This strategy alongside operational excellence has transformed the financial performance of the business.
  • The super acceleration of Groundsure to become the number one provider of environmental data searches to the property industry.  Groundsure went from a disrupter startup to the number one provider by market share in 10 years. Extraordinary customer service, product quality and smart technology delivered a fantastic result for the market and Ascential.

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About Congress

The FIPP World Media Congress is a must-attend event for anyone in leadership positions in the media. Delegates can hear from an incredible range of media thought leaders and influencers while networking with their peers in the resort’s stunning venues and hotels.

For specially discounted tickets click here.

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