Publications

Selected World Press Trends Outlook reports and academic articles drawing on the data:

World Press Trends Outlook 2023-2024

Building a culture of innovation – and the company’s bottom line

Selected Academic Articles

Successful Exploration: Organisational Ambidexterity and Performance in News Media Firms

Managing New(s) Conversations: The role of social media in news provision and participation

The World Press Trends Outlook study is a key resource for tracking global media industry trends. Since 2009, Dr. François Nel has been instrumental in its development, having initiated the Outlook survey before it was integrated into the World Press Trends Outlook report following a contract with WAN-IFRA and François Nel’s Innovation Research Group. Over the years, the study’s name has evolved from the World Newspaper Future and Change Study to the Newsmedia Innovation Study, reflecting the broadening scope of its insights.

Since 2021, Damian Radcliffe, professor of practice at the University of Oregon and a PhD by Portfolio researcher under Nel’s supervision, has joined as a co-author of the report, along with Dean Roper, head of insights at WAN-IFRA, and Teemu Henriksson, research editor at WAN-IFRA. Together, the team examines the business results of publishers over the past year, their forecasts for the years ahead, and the trends and challenges shaping the future of the media industry.

Widely cited in industry, academic circles, and policy discussions, the study has underpinned many of Dr. Nel’s scholarly outputs, such as his paper, “Free to succeed: Does Press Freedom Influence the Entrepreneurial Orientation and the Reader Revenue Performance of Independent News media firms?—A cross-sectional study” and others. Its influence spans practical applications, academic research, and media policy.

Key Focus Areas

The World Press Trends Outlook report delves into pivotal topics shaping the future of media, including:

• Digital Transformation: Tracing the industry’s shift from print to digital and how news organisations are adapting to new audience behaviours.
• Revenue Models: Examining the rise of reader revenue through digital subscriptions, memberships, and diverse income streams.
• Advertising Trends: Analysing the shift toward digital advertising and programmatic strategies, and its future implications.
• Technology and Innovation: Investigating the impact of artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven innovation in modern newsrooms.
• Global Media Consumption: Providing in-depth analysis of audience preferences and the role of digital platforms in news distribution.

The World Press Trends Outlook study remains a critical barometer for the global media industry. Under Dr. Nel’s leadership, it continues to provide actionable insights that inform not only media strategies but also policy decisions, fostering innovation in the global journalism landscape.