Catherine So, CEO of the South China Morning Post (SCMP), shared the news organization's strategic evolution and commitment to trusted journalism during the “CEO 123 Tell Me More” talk on 29 May.
News organizations today are adapting quickly. Since 1903, SCMP has been telling Hong Kong’s story to the world and empowering the global audience with a comprehensive view of how China impacts the world.
“SCMP is made in Hong Kong and read by the world. Our unique position allows us to deliver comprehensive, fact-based news and in-depth analysis on Hong Kong, Greater China, and Asia to the global audience,” So said.
Focusing on subscriber journeys, product innovations and editorial excellence, news publishers must adopt a forward-looking strategy. “People are actively seeking trusted sources of information and insights. In particular, the surging need for trustworthy content and contextualized insights is precisely why we launched SCMP Plus, a premium news platform tailored for global China Watchers.”
“This product innovation has garnered international recognition, earning the top industry award in a highly competitive field,” said So, who recently participated in the WAN-IFRA and INMA global news media summits in Kraków and New York.
The news industry has also recognized the significant potential and influence of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
“SCMP has set up taskforces working on guidelines and experiments across the organization,” she explained. “AI has been instrumental in boosting productivity. For example, it reduces the burden of routine tasks, allowing our editorial staff to focus on producing impactful content that is truly important to our audience.”
So emphasized that AI is powerful, yet it lacks the genuine human connections and subtle comprehension that drive our experiences and choices. “In this AI era, journalism is more important than ever. As a trusted media organization, we can offer meaningful perspectives with authentic human voices, which are precisely what people seek.”
The commitment to investing in the future extends to empowering the future generation. Intellectual curiosity, leadership and storytelling are skills that are vital in the age of AI. “Leveraging our rich experience in building a community for educators, parents and students while providing age-appropriate content, SCMP helps prepare the next generations with future-ready skills,” she said.
Embracing transformation and innovation has always been the key to SCMP's evolution. “Transformation is a journey, and it’s never easy. For future growth, businesses that demonstrate resilience, a commitment to innovation and a focus on talent development will undoubtedly be better positioned for success in the changing landscape of tomorrow,” So reflected.