The Publisher Podcast by Media Voices

In this end of year special, the team looks back at some of the major media events of 2019 to determine what will happen next year. Featuring looks at the flashpoints in M&A, Print, Data & Advertising, Multimedia, Platforms, Trust and more, this episode is a whistlestop tour through our Media Moments 2019 report. Don't forget to keep an eye out for Media Voices Top Trumps, available in all good newsagents at some point in the future. Maybe.

This week, media analyst Nic Newman takes us through the findings of his report into news podcasting for publishers for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Among other things, we discuss how young people are fuelling the growth in news podcasting, whether podcast revenue will start cannibalising other revenue streams, and whether the podcast explosion has already plateaued. In the news roundup the team discusses Apple News' new newsletter(about news), the realities of running a journalism awards show, and runs a gauntlet of other stories after a busy news week.

This week, we talk to Andy Serwer, Yahoo Finance's Editor in Chief. He discusses what strategies he's used to grow the publication to become the leader in financial news online, which platforms he uses to reach his business-focused audience, and how financial news has been affected by the crisis in trust. He also talks about how the publisher is integrating new technologies into the newsroom, and why he left his legacy publishing past behind. In the news roundup the team discusses editorial independence around DMGT's purchase of the i, Bloomberg's owner running for president, and a raft of media misbehaviour in the UK. Peter resurrects Conspiracy Corner for one week only.

This week Peter braves the bright lights of Las Vegas to interview Rachel Arthur, founder of independent magazine boom saloon, about boom projects' mission to democratise creativity and support access to the media, staying true to oneself, and the boom room agency. In the news roundup the team discuss whether we live in an age of information context collapse in which social media has destroyed any notion of 'truth', and whether journalism will need to become as predatory as misinformation in order to survive. It's a cheery episode.

This week, VICE's Executive Editor Dory Carr-Harris talks to us about the importance of knowing what resonates with your audience, from high-quality astrology content to bringing a food brand to TikTok. She also explains how VICE has been able to adapt to a tough digital landscape where other publishers have stumbled, and why they won't be toning down their 'VICE-ness' for advertisers any time soon. In the news roundup the team asks whether the Atlantic's news app is the second swallow of summer when it comes to news apps, and Chris asks if Netflix and Spotify are aiding news publishers grow subscriptions. Esther celebrates a birthday, Peter desperately needs to go to sleep.

On this week's episode Helen Pearson, chief magazine editor for Nature, tells us about what consumer-focused publications can learn about community from the journal’s focus on supporting scientists, the changing expectations of younger audiences, and the challenge of making research open to all while also supporting the authors and journalists. In the news roundup, the team discusses the UK launch of Netflix 'competitor' BritBox, the surprise return of Smash Hits, and Hearst's latest micro-membership scheme. Peter sings The Spice Girls' greatest hits.

On this week's episode, founder and CEO of Minute Media Asaf Peled takes us through the importance of community to its brands, making well-loved print brands work digitally, and the outlook for digital media more generally. He also discusses the complexities of managing both the tech and media sides of the business, and their acquisition of Peter's favourite brand Mental Floss. In the news roundup the team debates whether Twitter's political ad ban will move the needle on the abuse of political ads online, Future plc's acquisition of TI Media, and ask when an editor is as morally culpable as a columnist (hello Fraser Nelson!). The team engages in some historical revisionism about their past predictions.

This week, Glamour UK's Editor in Chief Deborah Joseph talks to us about steering the brand through its transformation from a print-first to a digital-first brand, from hiring in new talent to changing external perceptions. She also discusses the role of influencers alongside magazine media, why celebrities are still choosing brands like Glamour to launch with, and the Glamour Beauty Festival's upcoming Manchester debut. In the news roundup the team discusses the fallout from Facebook's decision to include Breitbart on its list of 'high quality' publishers on its new News tab, the pending closure of Asos magazine, and yet another news app launch. Chris fights with hotel wifi, loses.

This week, Hearst's head of men's lifestyle and health & fitness Alun Williams treats us to a look inside the Esquire Townhouse, and takes us through the importance of being a market leader, the new skills required at the magazine publisher, and how to resist overextending a brand. In the news roundup the full complement of Esther, Peter and Chris look at two new and very different news app launches, examine the reasons Sky News might have launched a Brexit-free channel, and coolly and unemotionally dissect The Sun's plans to conquer the US of States.

In this week's episode, we talk to Christoph Schmitz, Aller Media's Product Owner for paywalls, login, subscriptions and CRM (and recent interim CTO). He discusses managing technology and transformation across different brands, how Aller Media is taking advantage of willingness to subscribe in Norway, and their collaboration with other publishers for a single sign-on project. He also explains how GDPR has actually helped Aller Media take control of their data. In the news round-up, Chris and Esther tackle the Scousetrap/WAGatha Christie embarrassment for The Sun, as well as Group Nine's acquisition of PopSugar and a rumoured mega-bundle from Apple.