Ringier's editorial advisor says the next editors-in-chief might come from audience development

"The idea is being pushed by Dmitry Shishkin, the Swiss media group's editorial advisor. Earlier this year, he stepped down as CEO of Ringier's international division and has since been advising the company on how to rebuild its editorial structure for the next era. Naturally that involves leadership. And in his view, it will look less like front-page gatekeepers and more like system designers, or people who can orchestrate participation, analyze audience needs and translate those insights into editorial priorities."

"Granted, that's arguably what the modern editor should already be doing. But, as Shishkin sees it, it's only happened in pockets, and never consistently enough to truly transform how newsrooms operate. Ringier could change that but only if he's willing to gamble on the kind of cultural shift that would upend how power and influence traditionally flow inside a newsroom."

Dmitry Shishkin, Ringier's editorial advisor and former CEO of its international division, advocates appointing audience-development leaders as future editors-in-chief. He envisions editors functioning as system designers who orchestrate participation, analyze audience needs, and translate insights into editorial priorities. He contends that such appointments would make newsrooms more modern and audience-centric, especially as AI reshapes notions of audience understanding. He warns that the change requires a significant cultural shift that redistributes power and influence within newsrooms. Ringier is considering the proposal, though the idea is sensitive and its adoption remains uncertain.

Read at Digiday