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.

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.

Our approach

➔ 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

  • FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
    We support the development of diversified revenue streams that advance media companies toward sustainability and independence.
  • AUDIENCE
    We prioritize projects that invest in audience research, build engaging products and deliver relevant news and insight where it is needed most.
  • DIGITAL TRANSITION
    We prioritize projects that are digital-first and build new and engaging ways to interact with audiences. We help existing newsrooms pivot their business and technology to remain relevant and meet long-term goals.
  • PUBLIC INTEREST AND INDEPENDENCE
    We empower (local) media to play a watchdog role against democratic decline, serve audiences with relevant content, and fill information gaps in news deserts. We help media achieve financial and editorial independence to ensure resilience to government pressure, tech platform dominance, and economic crises.
  • NETWORK
    We grow the wealth of knowledge and experience that the IPI network offers to build a community of practice, where participants support and learn from alumni and peers.
  • MEDIA MANAGEMENT
    We support strategic thinking, goal setting, and planning.

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.