What’s on the agenda?

Bold ideas, fresh voices.

This is the FIPP World Media Congress 2025 agenda: packed with global speakers, real-world insights, and sessions designed to spark both ideas and action.

From AI strategy and sustainable business models to cultural storytelling and audience innovation, our programme brings together the people and perspectives shaping the future of media.

Please note: The agenda is now complete, but remains subject to late changes.

So explore, plan, and get inspired, and keep checking back for updates.

Madrid is calling.

Book your tickets

Monday, October 20

Ease In, Explore, Connect

Arriving early? Make the most of your time with a curated day of optional pre-Congress experiences designed to help you unwind, connect, and get inspired. Whether you’re a culture lover, foodie, football fan – or simply looking to ease into the week – there’s something for you.

Take a morning tour of a legendary sports venue, stroll through the city’s culinary heart on a guided tapas adventure, or close the day with an intimate, soul-stirring flamenco performance. These relaxed, small-group experiences offer the perfect opportunity to meet fellow delegates, spark early conversations, and enjoy Madrid beyond the conference walls.

Your Congress journey starts here: with great company and unforgettable local flavour. For more information on all available activities, go and Plan Your Trip.

Tuesday, October 21

Culture, Connections, and Kick-Off

Tuesday begins with another opportunity to soak up the city – this time with a walking tour through the city’s historic core, followed by a guided visit to the iconic Prado Museum. It’s a chance to explore the art, architecture, and stories that have shaped Spain’s capital – all in the company of fellow early arrivers.

By afternoon, the focus shifts to the main event. As evening falls, you will join us and our friends and partners from HEARST for the official Welcome evening of FIPP Congress 2025 with drinks and tapas at the legendary Museo Chicote: a venue with stories as rich as the city itself.

From culture to cocktails, Tuesday is where the momentum begins to build.

 

For more information on all available activities, go and Plan Your Trip.

Wednesday, October 22 | Congress, Day One

MAIN STAGE

07:00 - 08:00

Pugpig Trotters Running Club

08:00 - 09:00

Networking Morning

08:55 - 09:00

Welcome & Housekeeping

Elleyne Aldine, CEO, Culturs Global and Stage Host, FIPP Congress, Spain

09:00 - 09:10

Welcome to Madrid

 
09:10 - 09:15

Official Opening of the FIPP World Media Congress 2025

Mariano de Paco, Regional Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports of the Community of Madrid

09:15 - 09:20

Welcome to Congress 2025 from FIPP and ARI

Andrés Rodríguez, President and Founder, SPAINMEDIA, and Chair, ARI, Spain

Yulia Boyle, Founder and Principal, YPB Global, and Chair, FIPP, USA

09:20 - 09:45

TIME at 102: Blending Legacy and Innovation in Today's Global Media Landscape

Mark Howard, Chief Operating Officer, TIME, USA

In conversation with Yulia Boyle, Founder and Principal, YPB Global, and Chair, FIPP, USA

09:45 - 10:10

How Semafor Is Becoming a Global Media Winner

Justin B. Smith, Founder, Semafor, USA

In conversation with Colin Morrison CBE, Founder, Flashes & Flames – the Global Media Business Weekly, UK

10:10 - 10:15

Power Pitch

Congress Partner: Woodwing

Craig Llewelyn-Williams, SVP Customer Strategy,Woodwing

10:15 - 10:35

From Pages to Platforms and People: State of the Industry

Alastair Lewis, President and CEO, FIPP, UK

10:35 - 10:40

Official Welcome to the CIty of Madrid

Almudena Maillo, Head of Tourism at the Madrid City Council

10:40 - 11:10

Networking Coffee

11:10 - 11:35

The rise of Creators: Can (or How Can) established media lean into creator economy growth

Lucy Küng, Professor, Advisor, NED and Author, Switzerland

Jacob Donnelly, Founder, A Media Operator, USA

In conversation with Jacqueline Loch, EVP Strategy and Revenue, AZURE, Canada

11:35 - 11:55

Redefining Local: Community, Creativity, and the Vogue & GQ Effect

Inés Lorenzo, Head of Content, Vogue España, and Daniel Borrás, Head of Editorial Content, GQ Spain

11:55 - 12:15

How The Economist Has Become So Much More Than a Magazine

Luke Bradley-Jones, President, The Economist

In conversation with Colin Morrison CBE, Founder, Flashes & Flames, The Global Business Media Weekly

12:15 - 12:20

Power Pitch

Congress Partner: Smartocto

Erik van Heeswijk, CEO and Co-founder, Smartocto

12:20 - 12:45

The Attention Paradox: Why Media's Biggest Asset is Vanishing ... And What To Do About It

Brady Brim-DeForest, Chairman, BluShift Aerospace, Managing Partner, Late Stage Capital, Former Co-founder of Monks, a Sir Martin Sorrell company, and Author USA

In conversation with Natasha Christie-Miller, Chairwoman Sifted, NED PGI VCT and Just Like Us, Advisor to The Economist Group, TED Conferences, Walking On Earth and Moonshot, UK

12:45 - 13:10

Innovation in Media 2025: A Crucial Year for AI, Humanity, and the Future of Journalism

Juan Señor, President, INNOVATION Media Consulting, UK

13:10 - 14:05

Networking Lunch

14:05 - 14:45

Scotch and Watch Live: Opportunities for publishers as Big Tech switches mission

Ricky Sutton, Founder and Podcast Host, Future Media, Australia, and Chris Duncan, Founder and CEO, Seedelta, and former CEO, UK Publishing of Bauer Media Group, UK

14:45 - 14:50

Power Pitch

Congress Partner: Membrana Media

Raul Castillo Herreo, Country Manager, Membrana Media

14:50 - 15:10

Industry Challenges: Acting Local , Being Global – Subscription Insights from the UK for International Growth  

Mark Judd, President International, CDS Global

In conversation with Philippe van Mastrigt, Managing Director, Europe, AdvantageCS

15:10 - 15:30

Subscription Growth Without Gimmicks: How the 168-year-old The Atlantic Maintains An Edge in the Multiplatform World

Megha Garibaldi, Chief Growth Officer, The Atlantic, USA

In conversation with Natasha Christie-Miller, Chairwoman Sifted, NED PGI VCT and Just Like Us, Advisor to The Economist Group, TED Conferences, Walking On Earth and Moonshot, UK

15:30 - 15:35

Power Pitch

Congress Partner: Labrador CMS

Jon Reidar Hammerfjeld, Founder, and Jan Thoresen, CEO, Labrador CMS

15:35 - 15:55

The Lasting Value of Paper: Cultivating Trust, Impact, and Inspiration in a Digital Landscape

Kati Murto, VP Brand, Marketing, Communications & Sustainability, UPM Communications Papers, Finland

15:55 - 16:35

Networking Break

16:35 - 16:55

How Burda Navigates Structural and Organisational Shifts in Uncertain Times

Martin Weese, Chief Digital Officer, Burda Verlag, Germany

16:55 - 17:00

Power Pitch

Congress Partner: Woodwing

Soumya Basu, UKIMEA Sales Manager, Woodwing

17:00 - 17:40

AI in Action: Transforming Media Operations and Strategy

Mark Howard, Chief Operating Officer, TIME, USA

Paul Hood, AI and Digital Transformation Leader, UK

Maureen Hoch, Editor, HBR.org and VP, Digital Content, Harvard Business Publishing, USA

Megha Garibaldi, Chief Growth Officer, The Atlantic, USA

In conversation with David Buttle, Founder, DJB Strategies, UK

17:40 - 18:00

Storytelling in an AI world: How Positivity, Integrity and Community are Powering the Future of HELLO! and HOLA!

Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon, Chief Content Officer, Hello!, UK

18:00 -

Wrap up of the day

Elleyne Aldine, CEO, Culturs Global and Stage Host, FIPP Congress, Spain

18:00 - 20:00

Cocktail evening with ¡Hola! Hello!

Sponsored by ¡Hola! Hello!

Wednesday, October 22 | Congress, Day One

INNOVATION STAGE

10:45 - 11:10

Networking coffee

11:10 - 11:15

Welcome to the Innovation stage

Käthe Lemon, President and Co-owner, Redpoint Media Group, Canada

11:15 - 11:35

Global Content Licensing: Your Blueprint for Incremental Revenue

Michelle Myers, Global Chief Revenue Officer, Wright’s Media, USA

In conversation with Alastair Lewis, President and CEO, FIPP, UK

11:35 - 11:55

Enhancing Visibility and Revenue for Publishers: The PressReader–Prisa Story

Ricardo Fernandez, Director de Negocio Digital B2B, Prisa Media, Spain and Zaida Calvete Norell, Senior Manager Content Partnerships and Projects, PressReader, Canada

11:55 - 12:15

Beyond the Likes: Inside Gala’s Global Expansion and Monetisation Recipe

Louise-Anne Raimbault, Publishing Director at GALA, and Eileen Le Muet, VP International, FIGARO GROUP, France

12:15 - 12:20

Brain break

12:20 - 12:45

Retail Media: How Media Companies Can Compete (or Collaborate) in a Market Reshaped by E-commerce and AdTech

Jovan Protic, Managing Director, idealo internet, Germany.

12:45 - 13:10

Lessons from America: What Media Owners Can Learn from Selling Advertising in the USA

Jim Elliott, Founder, James G. Elliott Inc., USA

In conversation with Alastair Lewis, President and CEO, FIPP, UK

13:10 - 14:05

Networking lunch

14:05 - 14:45

From Page to Stage: How Events Unlock Loyalty, Data and Revenue

Natasha Christie-Miller, Chairwoman Sifted, NED PGI VCT and Just Like Us, Advisor to The Economist Group, TED Conferences, Walking On Earth and Moonshot, UK

Katie Palisoul, General Manager – UK, Politico, UK

Cristiano Badoch, General Manager, Spainmedia, Spain

Interviewed by Esther Kezia Thorpe, Editorial & Events Director, Media Voices and Flashes & Flames – the Global Media Business Weekly

14:45 - 14:50

Brain break

14:50 - 15:10

Events as the New Media – How AI is Transforming Engagement and Revenue Models

Sharon Roessen, Chief Operating Officer, Terrapinn, UK

Asghar Maqsood, Group Digital and AI Director, Terrapinn, UK

In conversation with Maanas Mediratta, CEO, Bridged Media, Spain

15:10 - 15:30

From Helsinki to Everywhere: Going Global with AI-assisted Translation

Maija Koski, Director, New Business & Commercial Solutions, A-lehdet, Finland

15:30 - 15:55

AI and Media in China: Insights from a Publisher’s Perspective

Henry Zhang, General Manager, CNKI, China

15:55 - 16:35

Networking Break

 

 

16:35 - 17:00

The Next Chapter for Magazine Media in China

Liu Jing,Content Director, Chinese National Geography Magazine Co, China

17:00 - 17:20

From Brazil to the World: Insights from Globo’s Transformation

Eliseu Barreira Junior, Head of Product Marketing for Advertising Globo, Brazil

17:20 - 17:40

The Business Behind K-Content and J-Content

Angie Byun, Principal,  A/B World, USA and APAC

17:40 - 18:00

How TNL Mediagene is Transforming Media in the Region

Joey Chung, Co-founder and CEO, TNL Mediagene, Chinese Taipei

 

18:00 -

Wrap up Day One

18:00 - 20:00

Cocktail evening with ¡Hola! Hello!

Sponsored by ¡Hola! Hello!

Wednesday, October 22 | Congress, Day One

WORKSHOPS

11:10 - 12:50

Scraping, Bots, Agents, and Licensing: Research and Tools for How Publishers Fight Back Against AI Scrapers and Take Control of Licensing

Lucky Gunasekara, Founder and CEO, Miso, USA, and Guests

AI companies are scraping publisher sites at massive scale, often without permission. Robots.txt no longer works, and outdated licensing deals aren’t built for what’s coming next.

This publishers-only FIPP Congress Masterclass brings together journalists, researchers, and technologists to unpack this turning point for the open web—and give publishers a private space to compare notes, ask hard questions, and explore real solutions.

  • Training Data Deciphered – Isobel Moure (SSRC) reveals how her team probed GPT-4o and found paywalled content in its training data—and how publishers can check if their own material was used.
  • Legal Showdowns – Roch Glowacki (Lewis Silken) breaks down global lawsuits and policy debates on unauthorized scraping, plus concrete legal steps publishers can take now.
  • The Scraping Crisis & Sentinel – Lucky Gunasekara (Miso.ai) shares data on which bots are crossing the line and demos Sentinel, a free tool that detects—and soon blocks—scrapers while tracing unauthorized reuse.
  • Agents & Licensing – A preview of Miso’s Agentic Licensing Network, giving publishers AI agents to set their own terms, protect data, and get paid fairly.

Exclusive for attendees: a confidential Sentinel dashboard and expert review of your site’s detected scraper activity—plus optional sandbox access to your own AI Agent on Miso’s test network.

14:30 - 16:00

Beyond the pilot: developing AI-resilient product roadmaps

Adriana Menezes Whiteley, Director, FT Strategies and. Lettie Debenham, Senior Manager, FT Strategies, UK

In the last year, publishers have experimented with GenAI across everything from chatbots to proofreading – and many have seen tangible wins. But the time for scattered pilots is over. It’s now urgent to invest strategically, strengthening product portfolios and building resilience against AI-driven disruption and competition. At this roundtable, FT Strategies will explore the critical questions that media leaders are now facing.

16:30 - 18:00

Atlas: How to Make More Money from Subscribers

Unlock the full potential of your subscription business at FIPP Congress in Madrid with Atlas’ exclusive workshop, “How to Make More Money from Subscribers.” Join leading recurring revenue specialists Kerin O’Connor and Abi Spooner to learn about proven, customer-centric strategies that drive sustainable growth, boost retention, and maximise lifetime value.
The session’s actionable insights and real-world case studies will equip you with the tools to accelerate revenue and outperform your market. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts who have transformed subscription businesses worldwide.

Thursday, October 23 | Congress, Day Two

MAIN STAGE

07:00 - 08:00

Pugpig Trotters Running Club

08:00 - 09:00

Networking Morning

08:55 - 09:05

Welcome to Day Two

Elleyne Aldine, CEO, Culturs Global and Stage Host, FIPP Congress, Spain

09:05 - 09:25

AI and the New Geopolitical Order: How AI will Reshape Global Power Dynamics

Claudio Feijoo, Head of Entrepreneurship, Technical University of Madrid

Paul Hood, AI and Digital Transformation Leader, UK

In conversation with Alastair Lewis, President and CEO, FIPP, UK

09:25 - 09:45

When AI Overviews Is the Front Page: The Future of Audience Discovery in the Post-Search Era

David Buttle, Founder, DJB Strategies, UK

09:45 - 09:50

Power Pitch

Congress Partner: Bridged Media

Rishabh Lohia, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Bridged Media

Alessandro De Sanche, Independent Consultant, not just ADZ

09:50 - 10:10

Beyond Search: Hearst’s Playbook for Navigating a New Reality

Joe Martin, VP, Media Licensing, Hearst Magazines

10:10 - 10:30

From Tools to Core Operating Model: Revolutionising Publisher Platforms with Generative and Agentic AI

Stefan Betzold, Chief Product Marketing Officer for Digital, Bauer Media Group, Germany

 

10:30 - 10:50

Henneo’s Expansion Strategy: What a Spanish Power Move Tells Us About Developing Media Trends

Fernando Yarza, President, Henneo, Spain

In conversation with Roberto Bodegas, Chairman of the Board, OJD España, Spain

10:50 - 11:15

Networking Coffee

11:15 - 11:35

The New York Times: Building Connection and Trust with Independent Journalism through Product Development

Jordan Vita, VP Product and Storytelling, The New York Times, USA

11:35 - 11:55

From Amazon to Immediate: Embedding a Product Mindset Throughout the Organisation

Laura Cushing, Product Director, Product & Tech, Immediate, UK

Interviewed with Peter Houston, Co-founder and Co-host, Media Voices, UK

11:55 - 12:15

Menace to Method: The Gnarly Reality of Transformation from the Inside

Rebecca Miskin, CEO, DC Thomson, UK

12:15 - 12:20

Brain Break

12:20 - 12:40

The Manga Playbook: Monetisation Lessons from a Japanese Media Powerhouse

Yoshinobu Noma, President, Kodansha, and Vice-Chairman, JMPA, Japan

12:40 - 13:00

Measuring Media’s True Value: How Media Drives Economic Growth

Sarah Thompson, Executive Managing Director, Classroom, Canada

13:00 - 14:00

Netorking Lunch

 

14:00 - 14:20

Sustainable High Performance in a Chaotic World

Nicola Murphy, Group CEO, The River Group, UK, and Charlotte Ricca, Performance Psychologist, UK

 

14:20 - 15:00

Beyond the Page: How Traditional Media Brands Are Becoming Media Ecosystems with Print, Pods, Video Newsletters and Live Experiences

Lulu Skantze, Publisher and Creative Director, Storytime, The Netherlands

Srinivasan Balasubramanian, Managing Director, Vikatan Group, India

Cristina Martín Conejero, CEO, Hearst España, Spain

Interviewed by Colin Morrison CBE, Founder, Flashes & Flames – the Global Media Business Weekly, UK

15:00 - 15:20

A Conversation with Tom Rubin of OpenAI

Tom Rubin, Chief of Intellectual Property and Content, OpenAI, USA

In conversation with David Buttle, Founder, DJB Strategies, UK

15:20 - 15:45

FIPP and Coneqtia at 100, and What Comes Next

Alastair Lewis, President and CEO, FIPP, UK

16:00 - 18:00

Congress close & networking drinks

Thursday, October 23 | Congress, Day Two

INNOVATION STAGE

08:00 - 09:00

Networking Morning

08:55 - 09:00

Welcome to Day Two

Käthe Lemon, President and Co-owner, Redpoint Media Group, Canada

09:05 - 09:25

Driving Audience and Engagement - Hearst UK's Membership Growth Strategy

Rosie Percy, Newsletter Strategy Director,  Hearst UK

In conversation with Jonny Kaldor, CEO, Pugpig, UK

09:25 - 09:45

Rewriting the News Playbook: How RocaNews Engages Gen Z with Nonpartisan Content

Billy Carney, Co-founder, RocaNews, USA

09:45 - 09:50

Brain break

09:50 - 10:30

The New Rules of Media Licensing and Platform Revenues: From Syndication to Brand, Endorsement, AI and IP

Elsa Esparbé, Head of Global Business Development, RBA, Spain

Tim Hudson, Director of International Licensing and Top Gear Magazine, Immediate, UK

Tim Bulley,  International Development Director, Time Out Media, UK

Interviewed by Andrew Hughes, Secretary General at PDLN, UK

10:30 - 10:50

Hidden Gems: Transforming underutilised media assets into revenue-generating streams

Monicah Ndung’u, Chief Corporate Affairs and Partnership Officer, Nation Media Group, Kenya

10:50 - 11:15

Networking Coffee

11:15 - 11:55

What Will Pay Tomorrow? Developing the Next Generation Media Revenue Models

Liesbeth Nizet, Head of Future Audiences Monetisation, Mediahuis, Belgium

Katja Eggert, Head of Strategic Development, Immediate, UK

Gregory Cornelius, Associate Publisher, DestinAsian Media, Singapore

Mel McVeigh, Strategic Digital Consultant, PPA, UK

Interviewed by Jacqueline Loch, EVP Strategy and Revenue, AZURE, Canada

11:55 - 12:15

Inside the Saudi Media Shift: Innovation and Opportunities in a Market on the Move

Pre record

Faisal Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News, Saudi Arabia

In conversation with Paul Hood, AI and Digital Transformation Leader, UK

12:15 - 12:20

Brain break

12:00 - 12:20

From Small to Mighty: How Niche B2B Media Brands Build Growth Engines

Clare Bolton, Chief Content Officer, Law Business Research, UK

12:40 - 13:00

Pivot with Purpose: A Customer-Led Journey from Media Specialist to Marketplace Innovator

Andrea Davies, Board Advisor, Time Well Spent, UK

13:10 - 14:00

Networking lunch

Thursday, October 23 | Congress, Day Two

WORKSHOPS

09:05 - 10:55

Leadership in an Age of Spiralling Change: A toolkit for modern leaders to thrive when engagement is down, expectations are up, and change won’t stop

Mary Langan – Executive Coach, Facilitator and Trainer | Founder, Nua Training, and Chris Kerwin – Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant | Partner, Nua Training

Amid rapid change and rising complexity, media leaders have a unique opportunity: to rethink how we lead, re-engage our teams, and spark fresh thinking. With global engagement levels at historic lows (Gallup, 2024), it’s clear that traditional leadership models aren’t keeping pace with what people need. This session offers an inspiring, practical toolkit for leaders ready to evolve — to lead through constant change, foster resilience, and build cultures where creativity and people can truly thrive.

10:55 - 11:25

Networking Coffee

11:25 - 13:10

Beyond the Hype: Strategic AI Adoption for Trusted Media Brands.

Annelies Jansen, Chief Business Officer, ProRata

This session will cover the generative AI landscape and its impact on publishers, how publishers can turn AI from a threat into an opportunity, and why collective action is needed now to shape the future of how gen AI companies engage with content creators and rights holders. Annelies Jansen will provide insights into AI strategies and tools to support publishers in growing their audience, driving engagement, and creating new ongoing revenue opportunities.

Friday, October 24

The Encore

Friday offers a final opportunity to make the most of your time in Madrid, at a gentler pace. Designed for those extending their stay, the day includes optional cultural experiences that invite you to explore more of Spain’s heritage and beauty, while continuing the conversations sparked throughout the week.

Whether you’re taking in more of the city, revisiting a favourite spot, or enjoying one last shared moment with fellow delegates, Friday is about closing out the Congress experience with inspiration, connection, and a lasting sense of place.

For more information on all available activities, go and Plan Your Trip.