Lena K. Samuelsson: Guiding Digital Change from Schibsted to WAN‑IFRA

“`html

Veteran Media Executive Lena Samuelsson Joins WAN-IFRA as Strategic Advisor

Brussels, Belgium – Lena K. Samuelsson, a renowned figure in the global media landscape, has accepted the position of Executive Strategic Advisor for the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). This appointment marks a significant moment for the international organization as it navigates an era of rapid transformation within the news industry and a crucial time for media freedom. Samuelsson brings decades of experience leading digital innovation and cultural shifts at some of the Nordic region’

What are the key initiatives led by Lena K. Samuelsson at WAN‑IFRA to drive digital change in the global news industry?

Lena K. Samuelsson: Guiding Digital change from Schibsted to WAN‑IFRA

lena K. Samuelsson has become a pivotal figure in the global media landscape, renowned for her expertise in driving digital transformation. Her career trajectory, spanning leadership roles at Schibsted and now WAN-IFRA, demonstrates a consistent commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the news industry. This article explores her journey, key initiatives, and the impact she’s having on the future of journalism.

From Schibsted to Global Leadership

Samuelsson’s foundation in digital media was firmly established during her extensive tenure at Schibsted, a leading Nordic media group.She held various leadership positions, progressively taking on greater obligation for digital strategy and execution.

* Early Roles & Digital Focus: Initially focused on marketing and business advancement, Samuelsson quickly gravitated towards the burgeoning digital space within Schibsted. This involved navigating the shift from print to online, experimenting with new revenue models, and building digital audiences.

* Head of Innovation: A crucial step in her career was leading Schibsted’s innovation efforts. This role demanded a forward-thinking approach, identifying emerging technologies, and fostering a culture of experimentation.she spearheaded projects exploring data analytics, personalization, and new content formats.

* Strategic Partnerships & Acquisitions: Samuelsson was instrumental in forging strategic partnerships and overseeing acquisitions that bolstered Schibsted’s digital portfolio.This included investments in promising startups and collaborations with technology providers.

* Emphasis on User Experience: throughout her time at Schibsted, Samuelsson consistently championed a user-centric approach. she understood that prosperous digital transformation required not just technological advancements, but also a deep understanding of audience needs and preferences.

Leading WAN-IFRA’s Digital Evolution

in 2018, Lena K. Samuelsson took on the role of CEO at WAN-IFRA (World Association of News Publishers), a global institution dedicated to supporting the news industry. This transition marked a critically important shift from leading digital transformation within a single media group to influencing the direction of the industry as a whole.

* WAN-IFRA’s Core Mission: WAN-IFRA serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, advocacy, and collaboration among news publishers worldwide. Samuelsson’s leadership has focused on adapting the organization to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

* The Digital Media asia & Europe Conferences: Under Samuelsson’s guidance, WAN-IFRA’s flagship conferences, Digital Media Asia and Digital Media Europe, have become essential gatherings for industry professionals. These events showcase best practices, emerging trends, and innovative solutions for digital publishing.

* Focus on Revenue Diversification: Recognizing the challenges facing customary advertising-based revenue models, Samuelsson has prioritized initiatives aimed at helping publishers diversify their income streams. This includes exploring membership models, events, data monetization, and branded content.

* Promoting Innovation & Technology Adoption: WAN-IFRA, under Samuelsson, actively promotes the adoption of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation, to improve efficiency, enhance content creation, and personalize the user experience.

* Advocacy for a Lasting News Ecosystem: Samuelsson has been a vocal advocate for policies that support a healthy and sustainable news ecosystem.This includes advocating for fair compensation for news content, combating misinformation, and protecting press freedom.

Key Initiatives & Programs

samuelsson’s leadership at WAN-IFRA has resulted in several impactful initiatives designed to empower news publishers.

* Women in News: This program aims to increase the depiction of women in leadership positions within the news industry. It provides mentorship, training, and networking opportunities for female journalists and executives.

* Young Reader Programs: Recognizing the importance of engaging younger audiences, WAN-IFRA has launched programs focused on developing innovative strategies for reaching and retaining young readers.

* Table Stakes North America & Europe: These intensive workshops, based on the original Table Stakes program developed by the reynolds Journalism Institute, help news organizations develop and implement strategic plans for digital transformation.

* Global Editorial Standards: WAN-IFRA has been working to establish global editorial standards for digital news, focusing on accuracy, transparency, and ethical journalism.

* AI & Automation in the Newsroom: WAN-IFRA is actively researching and disseminating best practices for leveraging AI and automation to improve newsroom efficiency and content quality. This includes exploring tools for automated transcription, translation, and content summarization.

The Impact of Samuelsson’s Leadership

Lena K. Samuelsson’s influence extends beyond specific programs and initiatives. Her leadership style, characterized by collaboration, innovation, and a relentless focus on the future, has had a profound impact on the global news industry.

* Shifting the Industry Mindset: Samuelsson has played a key role in shifting the industry mindset from a defensive posture to a more proactive and optimistic outlook. She encourages publishers to embrace change,experiment with new ideas,and focus on building sustainable business models.

* Fostering Collaboration: She has actively fostered collaboration among news publishers, recognizing that collective action is essential to address the challenges facing the industry.

* Empowering Publishers: Through WAN-IFRA’s programs and resources, samuelsson has empowered publishers to take control of their digital destinies and build a more resilient future for journalism.

* Championing Innovation: Her unwavering commitment to innovation has inspired publishers to explore new technologies and approaches to content creation and distribution.

Practical Tips for Digital Transformation (Inspired by Samuelsson’