The PressPectives Podcast

This episode of Perspectives features Lou Grasser, Chief Digital Operations Officer at Le Monde, who leads digital strategy, subscriptions, and product innovation at one of France’s most respected news organizations. Lou traces Le Monde’s transformation from a traditional print outlet to a thriving digital subscription business, growing from 225,000 subscribers in 2015 to over 665,000 today, with strong revenue growth. They discuss how editorial diversification—such as the introduction of popular sections like intimacy, investigative video content, and real-time “Live at Le Monde” coverage—has fueled engagement and conversion. Lou details Le Monde’s international expansion through an English-language edition tailored for global audiences, emphasizing curated content rather than direct translation. The conversation highlights Le Monde’s partnership with the French streaming platform Max to offer bundled subscriptions, a novel approach in the French market aimed at acquisition and retention. Lou also shares lessons from their dynamic pricing strategies powered by machine learning, stressing the need for transparency and flexibility. On innovation, Lou explains Le Monde’s collaboration with OpenAI to responsibly integrate AI into editorial workflows and subscriber management, enhancing efficiency without compromising quality. Finally, Lou underscores the critical importance of listening to reader feedback, protecting content value, and building trust around journalists to succeed in the evolving media landscape. 

In this episode of Perspectives, host Ruairi Doyle sits down with Adi Ignatius, long-time Editor-in-Chief and now Editor-at-Large at Harvard Business Review, to explore leadership in an era of "hyper uncertainty" and the evolving needs of the modern C-suite. Adi shares his perspective on the changing nature of business journalism and why clarity, trust and practical value matter more than ever in today’s crowded content landscape. The conversation introduces HBR Executive, a new platform from HBR designed specifically for senior executives. Adi walks us through the vision, key features—including newsletters, masterclasses, playbooks and live events—and how it fills a gap in executive education by delivering concise, evidence-based insights for leaders navigating complexity. He also reflects on memorable lessons from some of the world’s most influential CEOs, including Jack Welch’s philosophy on ownership and Satya Nadella’s view that empathy is the foundation of innovation, as well as other standout moments in his illustrious career – like a rare interview with Vladimir Putin for TIME Magazine. Whether you’re leading a business, building your leadership toolkit or curious about the future of executive learning, this episode offers valuable insight from someone at the center of business thought leadership.

Eliza Gaines, fourth-generation publisher of WEHCO Media, shares how her family's newspaper business is navigating the digital transformation of local journalism. By refusing to compromise on quality, investing in newsrooms and innovating delivery methods, WEHCO has maintained profitability and relevance.  Key strategies include an iPad distribution program, subscriber-exclusive content and a commitment to trustworthy, community-focused reporting. Despite industry challenges, WEHCO has successfully adapted by understanding reader needs, particularly those of younger audiences, and maintaining a strong focus on local content, transparency, and digital innovation. 

In this episode, Sherry Weiss, Chief Marketing Officer of Dow Jones, discusses the company’s evolving integrated marketing strategy and dual-market approach, serving both consumers and enterprises through brands like The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MarketWatch, and Investor’s Business Daily. The conversation explores data-driven marketing, customer journey mapping and strategies that have helped Dow Jones grow subscriptions to nearly 6 million.  Weiss shares insights on WSJ’s expansion into social platforms like YouTube and TikTok, the evolving trust in journalism and AI’s potential to drive innovation and engagement in media.

In this episode, host Ruairi Doyle speaks with Swati Sharma, the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Vox. They discuss Sharma's journey into journalism, the mission of Vox, and the importance of providing accessible information to diverse audiences.   Sharma shares insights on her dual role at Vox, the challenges of multi-platform content production, and the innovative funding models that support their journalism. The conversation also touches on the evolving mission of Vox, the impact of AI on journalism, and the importance of leadership in reinforcing the organization's goals.

In this episode of the PressPectives Podcast, Ruairí Doyle speaks with Siddharth Venkataraman from the Indian Express about the evolving landscape of the Indian publishing industry. They discuss the challenges of digital news consumption, the importance of maintaining credibility in journalism and the impact of technological advancements like UPI on subscription models in India. Siddharth shares insights on retention strategies, the enduring relevance of print media, and the role of AI in shaping the future of publishing. The conversation also touches on the significance of engaging with the Indian diaspora and the potential legislative changes affecting publishers.

Joe Revill, Head of E-Publishing and Syndication at Are Media, discusses the company's transformation from a traditional print powerhouse to a leading omnichannel content and commerce platform in the Australian market. In this episode, Joe describes Are Media’s strategies for engaging readers, including a shift to blend brand partnerships with affiliate marketing. He also discusses the launch of Content Shop — a platform for licensing high-quality editorial images, how Are Media gathers data-driven insights from its “Insiders” community and the growing role of AI in content creation. 

Fionnuala Duggan leads the strategy behind The Economist’s highly successful online course portfolio which launched in 2021 and includes topics like writing, critical thinking, AI and data visualization. In this episode, Fionnuala shares what led The Economist to develop online courses and how they came to life in collaboration with The Economist’s newsroom. Learn which online course has become her personal favorite and why she thinks AI can only enhance—not replace—human teaching. 

Esther Dyson, a journalist, investor and the founder of Wellville, discusses AI’s impact on journalism. She outlines why true journalism—uncovering untold stories and holding people accountable—requires human insight and intuition, which AI lacks.  Esther cautions against business models that exploit AI to manipulate consumer behavior and advocates for stronger liability measures to hold companies accountable for the potential harm caused by AI.