The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) is on the move, both literally and figuratively:
The global organisation for the world's newspapers and news publishers, with more than 18,000 members, will create a new entity; Wan-Ifra Services, to deliver business and technology related services. The Services division will operate out of Frankfurt, from July, while the press freedom, innovation hub, advocacy and media development will continue to be based out of the Association's office in Paris.
"Creating a focussed Services entity will allow us to consolidate the good operating results recorded in 2013," said Vincent Peyrègne, the CEO of WAN-IFRA. "It will optimize our processes, have a key influence on the way we work in the future, and will allow us to deliver defined and value-driven activities and services across the board."
The global organisation for the world's newspapers and news publishers has successfully sold its building in Darmstadt and is moving in July to the downtown waterfront area of the German financial capital. "Moving to Frankfurt is meaningful as it will put WAN-IFRA in the centre of an important international business hub, providing an opportunity to revitalise the organisation, which is dedicated to economic and technological transformation," Mr Peyrègne said.
Thomas Jacob, Chief Operating Officer, will head the Services entity. The new entity implements a 'think global, act local' approach through its global services team comprising WAN-IFRA's flagship events, the World Publishing Expo and World Newspaper Congress, as well as Publications, Insights, and Consultancy services. The regional offices, including the new Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) team housed in Frankfurt office, Asia-Pacific based in Singapore and South Asia based in Chennai, will be at the forefront of WAN-IFRA's direct connections with members in those regions. A formal presence will be established in Latin America by end of the year.
"The media industry is going through a huge transformation. Our aim to develop the Services Division as the Knowledge Centre for the industry, by aggregating, curating and delivering knowledge and expertise needed to assist the industry in this transformation process," said Mr Jacob.
The EMEA unit will be headed by Manfred Werfel, who also continues to lead WAN-IFRA's print production initiatives. The unit will manage the events program and awards organized in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as the rollout of a comprehensive training program, Newsplex covering the needs of newsrooms, and Adplex to cater to the new demands of revenue generation in media houses.
Two new departments for Innovation and for Public Affairs have been installed in Paris under the guidance of Larry Kilman, who has been named Secretary General. He will overview the activities of the not-for-profit advocacy branch of WAN-IFRA, including Press Freedom, Media Development, News Literacy, Public Affairs, Innovation and Future Technologies as well as the World Editors Forum.
