The Minister of Culture, Linda Hofstad Helleland, visited Schibsted and Aftenposten this week to learn more about today’s news production and future prospects.
Aftenposten’s staff showed Helleland the publishing tool Schibsted Media Platform, the Group’s new and common platform for its publishing companies.
Aftenposten’s publisher Espen Egil Hansen gave a status report on how the media house is dealing with the digital transformation.
“On the positive side, there is first and foremost a good growth in the number of digital subscriptions. Then, there is the substantial effort we do in Schibsted to improve technology and digital product development. Thirdly, I think we have come a long way in building a digital culture among our employees in Aftenposten. On the negative side, the main concern continue to be the development in the advertising market,” Hansen says.
Rolv Erik Ryssdal, the CEO of Schibsted Media Group, explained the strategy and effort Schibsted does in order to build world-class digital media houses. An important part of this work is the new Schibsted Media Platform as well as the Group’s advertising platform and cooperation with AppNexus.
“I think we had a good meeting where we could present our commitment to build world-class digital media houses and also discuss the dramatic changes in the media business. I am happy that the Minister of Culture takes an active approach to this important issue. I believe that the authorities has an important part to play together with the media business to preserve the uniqueness of Norwegian media plurality and quality journalism in a time where we meet many challenges,” says Ryssdal.
