Media on the Move: September 2020

By Georgina Rupp

The rise in digital media has never been more evident. With news consumption already trending upward in recent years, the 2020 Reuters Institute Digital News Report shows the pandemic is very likely to accelerate long-term structural changes towards a more digital, mobile and platform-dominated media environment. The report highlights WhatsApp and Instagram as notable social platforms continuing their ascent, with other studies showing podcast awareness continuing to rise, as 75% of Americans now familiar with the medium.  

During the second quarter, The New York Times Company reported its digital subscription and ad revenue exceeded print revenue for the first time ever – $185.5 million from digital, compared to $175.4 million from print. In addition, the Times is investing in audio-first journalism. “Times audiences are expecting us to meet them where they are, and one way we can connect with them is via their earbuds,” said managing producer for Opinion Audio at The New York Times, Paula Szuchman, about “Sway,” a new interview podcast hosted by Kara Swisher. This summer, The Times also announced plans to acquire Serial Productions (producer of the “Serial” podcast) as well as form an ongoing creative and strategic alliance with “This American Life” by Ira Glass.

In a similar move, Omnicom Media Group is investing in the promise of podcasting with plans to spend $20 million for ads in Spotify podcasts through the end of the year.

As PR and media professionals, we’re keeping a pulse on the industry’s digital shifts. Amidst the new work-from-home world, Matter has launched an At-Home Content Creation Guide to help clients create impactful content using smartphones, webcams, podcasts, animation and more – all possible from home. And as podcasts continue to gain traction, subscribers and ad dollars, we’ve helped clients launch their own platforms and shared tips for those looking to do it themselves. As the pandemic’s long-term impacts on media and news consumption evolve, we’ll continue to evolve with them, providing support and insights every step of the way.

The Washington Post

  • Mina Haq takes on a new role at The Washington Post, joining the emerging news products’ curation and platforms team as a multiplatform editor.
  • Joshua Lott joins The Washington Post as a photojournalist focused on race and identity.
  • Paola Ruano joins The Washington Post’s “By The Way” as its new multiplatform editor.

New York Times

  • The New York Times debuts “Sway,” a new interview podcast hosted by Kara Swisher, who previously hosted “Recode Decode” for over five years.
  • Former editor at The New York Times Magazine who helped to launch Mag Labs, Jazmine Hughes will now be taking on a new role writing full time, both for the Magazine and for Metro. 
  • Ezekiel Kweku joins the New York Times Opinion as its new politics editor.

Bloomberg

  • Simon Hunt joins Bloomberg News as a reporter for the wealth beat.
  • Previously a reporter at The Vancouver Sun, Doug Alexander joins the agriculture and metals team as an editor.
  • Natasha Sara Abellard joins Bloomberg QuickTake, previously at Zazoom Media Group.
  • Jordyn Holman relocated from New York to Bloomberg’s Atlanta bureau, where she will continue to report on retail and diversity.

Small Business Trends

  • Joshua Sophy has been hired as editor managing the daily publishing operations at Small Business Trends.

Refinery 29

  • Simone Oliver will join Refinery29 this month as its new global editor-in-chief.

Condé Nast

  • Agnes Chu has been selected as president at Condé Nast Entertainment. She previously served as senior vice president of content at Disney+.
  • Former Simon & Schuster VP Dawn Davis joins Bon Appetit as editor-in-chief.