Rapid-Round Congress Q&A: James Hewes, President and CEO of FIPP.

Over the last decade, the media and publishing worlds have changed enormously as companies have shifted their focus from print to digital, along the way negotiating the many challenges and opportunities presented by social media.

FIPP, the organisation that connects global media, has been there to help them to develop the tools and the culture they need to thrive in ever-changing business environments.

In this Congress speaker Q&A James Hewes, CEO of FIPP:

• Tells us about his career, and how FIPP is enabling its members to share best practice and explore emerging business models
• Shares his thoughts on publishing in an economic downturn. Is cost-cutting the right way forward? Will companies that invest now reap the rewards in sunnier economic climes?

At FIPP World Media Congress in Cascais, Portugal, on 6-8 June, FIPP CEO, James Hewes will be both sharing his vision for both the organisation and the media in general. James will also be interviewing some of the event’s key guests.

For specially discounted tickets click here.

• Our group launch offer is available until today, 1 February
• Our pre-agenda offer for individuals is available until 14 February

Here James responds to our four rapid-round questions.

Who are you? And what is your role in the media/publishing?

I’m James Hewes, I’m the current President & CEO of FIPP. We are the global trade association for the magazine media industry, with a particular specialisation on multi-platform consumer lifestyle and special interest publishers, although we also represent the interests of new media and B2B publishers.

Our organisation works to provide knowledge-sharing, networking and advocacy services for the industry, as well as a consulting arm that helps publishers across the world with development projects.

What have been the highlights of your career in media/publishing so far?

I’m really proud of the work we’ve done to re-position FIPP at a time of great change for the industry. A much more precise focus on media business models has helped our members to develop their businesses and ensure that they can continue to profitably produce the great content our brands are known for. There are plenty of exciting developments in the pipeline too, such as a greater focus on sustainability standards across the industry, and a new analysis looking at the state of the digital advertising market.

The work I do with FIPP puts me in a great position to see what’s going on in our industry globally, and a key part of my role is to try and share those trends with anyone who wants to know.

I guess the work that really brought me into FIPP’s orbit in the first place, and the