The publishing industry is evolving every day and staying ahead requires engaging with key conversations shaping its future. Over the past few weeks, our Chief Commercial Officer, George Odysseos, has attended some of the most noteworthy events across the publishing landscape.
At Press Gazette’s Future of Media Trends event in London, publishers and vendors gathered to discuss strategies for revenue diversification. Industry leaders like The Telegraph, The Independent, and The Spectator shared invaluable insights into their approaches to subscription-based models and expansion into the US market.
To ID5’s On the Road event, with Google discussing fundamental changes in the publishing industry framework, topics like cookie deprecation and the implications on publishers and addressability took centre stage. George got to hear from the likes of Sir Martin Sorrel who shared his views on the impact of AI and what impacts Donald Trump’s presidency may have on publishing.George got to hear from the likes of Sir Martin Sorrel who shared his views on the impact of AI and what impacts Donald Trump’s presidency may have on publishing.
To sunny Barcelona, at the 3-day Beeler Base Camp, George notes:
“Having attended the 2023 event in Edinburgh, I knew this event would be not just informative but fun. The fact people are away from home and under Chatham House rules, words and opinions are given freely and we all depart more informed than when we arrived.”
So, what did George conclude from all these events?
Publisher Collaboration
With 80% of advertising spend going to major platforms, publishers aren’t just competing with each other—they’re competing with the tech giants. Collaboration is key to creating ad packages that rival the reach and scale of those platforms.
Embrace the Cookieless Future
The prolonged discussions about cookie deprecation feel never-ending, but this time, publishers seem less daunted by the potential impact. At Planet Sport, we’ve focused on closing the gap in performance between inventory with and without cookies. By partnering with top providers, we’ve enhanced our ability to address audiences effectively, even in a ‘cookieless’ environment.
Revenue Diversification
Revenue diversification remains a top priority for publishers, but the path forward isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether through affiliate programs, subscriptions, or events, each publisher must align their approach with their audience’s needs and interests to drive sustainable growth.
So, what’s next? The path forward demands bold action. Publishers must collaborate to challenge the giants, innovate to address a ‘cookieless’ future, and diversify to create sustainable revenue streams.
As George’s experiences show, the time to adapt isn’t tomorrow—it’s today.
