What is Innovation at IPI?

IPI’s Media Innovation and Sustainability portfolio guides media organizations through innovation practice and business development to achieve financial, technical and editorial sustainability.

Have questions for us? Get in touch at  [email protected]

Why Media Innovation at IPI?

At IPI we believe that media innovation is a critical cornerstone to the organization’s mission of defending press freedom.

As independent newsrooms are facing challenges such as authoritarian and legal repression, waning public trust, unstable revenue streams and digital disruption, it is important to enhance their resilience by protecting their independence and sustainability. Media innovation enables media to respond to the rapidly changing political, social and technological environment, to grow and adapt to competition, supporting a pluralistic, independent media landscape. IPI’s media innovation portfolio equips newsrooms with the skills, tools and peer networks to build diversified business models, cultivate strong connections with audiences, and leverage technology to their advantage.

Our capacity-building methodology

Since piloting our Accelerator programmes in 2022, IPI’s Innovation team has helped 61 media outlets from 32 countries all over the globe to future-proof their editorial and business models. Our methodology includes a unique mix of training, personalized advisory services, strategic advice, core funding and networking opportunities. 

Each of our flagship 5-8 month-long Accelerator programmes is tailored to the pressing needs of new media, media in transition and local media. The learning journey we provide is based on in-depth needs assessments with IPI’s in-house innovation experts, which then inform both broad capacity-building modules and skills development tailored to specific pain points and markets.

With the support of expert speakers and innovation methodology coaches working 1:1 with the media organizations, we provide a space to experiment, develop and test ideas, as well as the funding to bring these ideas to life. Our beneficiaries gain access to IPI’s global network of editors, journalists and media executives.

➔ Personalized advisory services
➔ Adaptive training
➔ Network of innovators
➔ Funding
➔ Needs assessment

➔ Revenue diversification
➔ User centricity & audience research
➔ Design & product thinking

➔ Increase resilience
➔ Serve audiences
➔ Innovate & grow

Our impact goals

  • LOCAL AND INDEPENDENT
    Support local media outlets in creating sustainable models of trusted journalism.
  • NETWORK
    Grow the wealth of knowledge and experience that the IPI network offers to build a community of practice and support and learn from alumni and project participants.
  • DIGITAL FIRST
    We prioritize projects that are digital-first and build new and engaging ways to interact with audiences.
  • FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
    Building diversified revenue models that allow media companies to be sustainable and independent.
  • TRANSITION
    We help existing newsrooms pivot their business and technology to remain relevant and meet long-term goals.
  • PUBLIC INTEREST
    Empower media to play a watchdog role against democratic decline, serve audiences with relevant content and fill information gaps in news deserts.

IPI’s Innovation Team

Ryan Powell
Ryan PowellHead of Innovation and Media Business
Ryan leads and designs a portfolio of training, funding and research programmes independent media pursuing diversified revenue models, audience engagement and future proofed editorial formats through innovation methodologies worldwide.
Nicky Deluggi
Nicky DeluggiInnovation Project Officer
Nicky supports the day-to-day management of the IPI’s Media Innovation programmes. Reach out to her about Media Innovation Mentorship programme, Transition Accelerator and our team’s toolstack.
Alina Cristea
Alina CristeaInnovation Project Officer
Alina supports the day-to-day management of the IPI’s Media Innovation programmes. Reach out to her about Media Innovation Festival, Local News Accelerator, Transition Accelerator and Local News & Innovation Network.
Dinara Satbayeva
Dinara SatbayevaCommunications Officer
Dinara writes content for our newsletter, blog and social media and organizes the events in the Virtual Newsroom Visit series. Reach out to her to collaborate on showcasing your innovation, revenue and sustainability stories.