Kamal Ahmed leaves News Movement | Mark Allen Group profits down
And two former Business Insider execs launch Substack personal finance brand for young consumers
Welcome to your daily newsletter from Press Gazette on Monday 8 April. UK & Ireland’s news agency PA Media has launched the first issue of a new publication that provides advice, insight, and analysis around lifestyle content for digital creators in this growing space.
Disaggregation has been broadly a disaster for paid journalism.
Where once readers would happily hand over money for a daily newspaper, bundling together everything from tide times to job vacancies, today that package has fragmented into a plethora of different (mostly free) online sources.
Could the final act of technological disaggregation be the separation of journalists from publishers, facilitated by open publishing systems like Substack? And might that not be a bad thing (for content creators at least)?
A pair of former Business Insider executives are the latest to launch a newsbrand on Substack, this time providing personal finance advice for an under-served demographic (young people, who often don't have much money).
Today we also have the latest financial results for one of the UK's biggest privately-owned B2B publishers: Mark Allen Group. It has continued to grow in 2022/2023 but felt the impact of increased costs and a slower than expected post-pandemic bounceback for events.
Co-founder of social-first publisher The News Movement Kamal Ahmed has taken a job at The Telegraph - following former CEO of the UK start-up, William Lewis, out of the door.
And our news diary for the week ahead includes the start of the next phase of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal public inquiry on Tuesday with campaigner Alan Bates taking the stand.
From our sponsor
PA Media are excited to announce the launch of Unwrapped: Lifestyle Content Decoded – a new publication produced by PA’s Lifestyle Editorial team.
Featuring advice and tips for content creators in the lifestyle space, Unwrapped provides a blueprint for success when it comes to creating engaging content across platforms.
The first issue includes insight on recent lifestyle content trends, eco-conscious and wellbeing content, why publishers should be embracing TikTok more, how to nail your lifestyle content on social media, and more.
This issue also includes contributions from specialist social media agency Hydrogen and marketing consultancy Sticky.
New from Press Gazette
Picture: Telegraph Media Group
Kamal Ahmed to leave The News Movement and launch daily news podcast at Telegraph
As director of audio Ahmed will have responsibility for The Telegraph‘s editorial audio output and overall audio strategy, the publisher said. He will also write a weekly column.
Increased costs and slow return of events hit Mark Allen Group profits
Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation were down 4% to £12.5m and profit before tax was down 7% to £8.7m.
Former Business Insider execs launch personal finance brand on Substack
Co-founder Julian Childs said MoneyIn2 will respond to two information gaps in the current personal finance news service. The first is information catered to young people and those who do not already have money. The second is an emphasis on growing money, not just saving it.
News diary 8-14 April: Alan Bates at Post Office inquiry, US solar eclipse, Olivier Awards
A look ahead at the key events leading the news agenda this week, from the team at Foresight News.
News in brief
Dino Sofos' production company Persephonica is reportedly no longer making The News Agents for Global after their relationship broke down. Sources said Global was unhappy when Persephonica launched rival Political Currency with Ed Balls and George Osborne. (Deadline)
Women in Journalism’s event featuring ITN CEO Rachel Corp, Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, 5 News editor Debbie Ramsay and Guardian political editor Pippa Crerar will now be hybrid so more people can attend. It is £2 to watch online. (Women in Journalism)
Semafor has appointed Politico Europe co-founder and Google director of policy marketing Bennett Richardson as general manager and global head of public affairs, responsible for driving revenue growth in the Washington DC market and other policy capitals. (Semafor)
Virginia has become the first US state to approve the publication of legal notices on online-only news sites if they meet certain criteria. One publisher described it as a "financial lifeline to small town publishers fighting off news deserts". (ARL Now)
Previously on Press Gazette
Scottish local news coverage mapped: All districts have at least one outlet
National World staff set to receive pay rise of up to 6% as pay frozen for top execs
GB News hires first US correspondent in expansion of GBN America
Journofest 2024: Alex Crawford, Stephen Wright and others share their industry insights
How under-35s’ interest in news has collapsed and what we can do about it
How Independent’s Buzzfeed deal supercharges its social media reach
Latest podcast
Podcast 68: How to make news pay on Youtube with TLDR News
Founder of video news network TLDR News Jack Kelly explains how he funds an 11-strong editorial team providing serious news for younger viewers on Youtube.
The profitable publisher is funded mainly through the Youtube ad revenue split and direct-sold sponsorship – but also made a successful foray last year into print publishing.
Press Gazette live
Entries are now OPEN for the Future of Media Awards 2024 (which celebrate the best journalism-based digital products). Check out the full list of categories here. Note: These awards are free to enter.