✨The value of human content at #FOMT25
Plus: Meet the Future of Media Awards 2025 winners and a new press freedom project [#201]
I went to the Future of Media Technology Conference yesterday, a one-day masterclass for media leaders on how to thrive in the digital age.
It’s a big day in the media calendar, so I was keen to go, but a heavy AI agenda this year - not sure I can handle more on AI as a threat and an opportunity for publishers. But it’s where the money is, and we’re trying to make sense of it all.
I like to see what creators can learn from corporate strategy – and vice versa. Also curious to know what publishers are doing with newsletters (Substack came up several times in the first hour!).
Thanks to the team for a brilliant day. Yes, AI is here to stay, but the mood was positive, focusing on humans, quality journalism, and building connection with readers – using AI to help.
Also a cry to keep things simple and not try to do too much - a common problem for publishers ;-)
Some comments:
“We’ll see a return to original reporting, unique podcasts and journalism.” – Matthew Monaghan, President, ARC XP.
“Great content comes from human beings.” – Andy Morley, CRO, The Independent.
“We’ll start to see a premium play out on human-generated content.” – Martin Ashplant, Product Dev & Ops, PA Media.
Quote of the day from Sheena Peirse at MediaHaus Ireland, on paywalls: “Don’t underestimate your value.”
Some funny bits too. Someone rang a bell to get us back into the classroom. All this tech talk – saved by the bell!
Dominic on Charlotte: “She’s the Blackadder to my Prince Regent.” Appreciate you for keeping it real and jargon-free. Vectorisation might be important, but I’ve no idea what it is.
I hate small talk, which makes networking awkward. Lots of folks on laptops/phones, so I'm not alone (tech is a crutch – it’s replaced ciggies). Had a chat with Charlotte at The Addition (see her liveblog) and Ian Morling – interesting initiative around press freedom based on Le Monde model, which he’s keen for newspapers to adopt in the UK.
Maybe a speed networking area to make it easier for Billy No Mates like me and Ian to make friends. TPC did this at their Portfolio Careers Festival – a nice touch.
Future of Media Awards 2025 – see the winners. Loved the visual story by the FT: Are the robots finally coming? Congrats to
for winning local Newsletter of the Year!My #FOMT25 takeaways and slides below.
N x