Media Innovation Program
API NEXT
Mentorship Programme
DELIVERY PARTNERS
PROGRAM FINANCED BY
DELIVERY PARTNERS
PROGRAM FINANCED BY
Programme Overview
The Media Innovation Program is a strategic 6-month digital transformation initiative, designed to help Portuguese media organizations transition from print and search-dependent digital advertising models to sustainable direct digital customer monetization.
The programme addresses the urgent challenges facing media companies in the age of AI and semantic search.
Market Context
Portuguese media organizations
face significant challenges
Major publishers globally have seen 50%+ drops in search traffic due to AI-powered "zero-click" searches
Local and regional media face particular vulnerability as the sustainable business model for these enterprises remains unclear
Traditional advertising revenue models show diminishing returns as a result, with the longer-term trends in print now joined by declines in digital advertising
Only 12% of Portuguese consumers are willing to pay for news
Consortium Expertise
The Programme is led by experienced industry professionals able to provide the support, training and mentoring required to successfully develop the pilot projects
Kerin O'Conner
Atlas Global
Former CEO of The Week and Founder of Atlas Glob
James Hewes
Soho Consulting
Former FIPP CEO, digital transformation expert
João Moraes Palmeiro
York3
Portuguese and European Media market specialist
Abi Spooner
Atlas Global
Customer strategy and data analysis expert
+
They are supported by a portfolio of more than 40 international experts, ready to provide advice on specific topics.
Programe
Structure
Duration
Group 1: 10 participant - 6 months of programme
Starting November 2025
Group 2: 10 participant - 6 months of programme
Starting March 2026
Format
The approach blends workshops with in-person mentoring and training, with the ultimate objective of developing digital pilot projects.
Methodology
A metodologia do Programa assenta no modelo “Understand, Unlock, Grow” desenvolvido pela Atlas Global.
Understand
Deep assessment of the organization’s context, its audiences, and market trends. This stage includes data collection and analysis, the identification of strategic challenges, and the diagnosis of barriers to innovation.
Unlock
Definition of new opportunities and design of concrete solutions, based on specialized mentoring and co-creation sessions. The goal is to transform knowledge into action, mobilizing teams and resources to develop viable prototypes or digital products.
Grow
Implementation, testing, and scaling of projects, ensuring their long-term sustainability. This phase focuses on integrating new processes, creating performance metrics, and consolidating a culture of continuous innovation within newsrooms and management teams.
Throughout the entire process, the model promotes an iterative and collaborative approach, balancing strategic guidance, practical experimentation, and continuous learning — essential factors for accelerating the digital transition of Portuguese media.
Program Process
6 months Iteration
Selection of Participants
1
Situational Analysis & Identification of Challenges
2
Gap Assessment
3
Pilot Project
Selection
4
Guidance and Mentorship
Launch of the
Pilot Project
5
Implementation
of the Pilot Project
6
Evaluation and
Iteration
7
Post-Implementation
Review and
Marketing
8
Selection of
Participants
1
Situational Analysis
and Identification of
Challenges
2
Gap
Assessment
3
Pilot Project
Selection
4
Guidance and Mentorship
Launch of
the Pilot
Project
5
Implementation
of the Pilot
Project
6
Evaluation
and Iteration
7
Post-Implementation
Review and
Marketing
8
Publisher Selection
Buy-in from the CEO, senior leadership team and Editor-in-Chief;
Each organisation must be prepared to commit at least 2 individuals to the Programme
Situational Analysis & Challenge Identification
Participants will then enter a phase of detailed business understanding, combining both quantitative and qualitative data to produce a consolidated view of the business.
Together with an audit of available resources and a detailed benefits assessment, this information will be used to inform both the selection of the pilot projects, as well as any training and consulting requirements.
Kick-Off Workshop
The kick-off workshop is the point at which the pilot projects are formally launched. The period leading up to the workshop sees participants working through a detailed situational analysis and gap assessment, culminating in choosing the pilot project with the potential to add the greatest benefit.
The workshop has three objectives : i) bring all the participants together, to share information and ideas relating to their challenges and projects; ii) to formally kick off the mentoring process, although participants will have had the chance to meet their mentors in advance of this meeting; iii) to engage with local and international experts through a combination of training and consulting. This will cover both general product development processes as well as more detailed expertise on their chosen area of focus.”
“The workshop will take place in person in Lisbon in early January”
Mentoring
Participants will benefit from ongoing mentoring and coaching as part of the project development process.
Mentoring will be carried out by João Morais Palmeiro and James Hewes, two
highly-experienced media executives.
The focus will on ensuring projects are meeting agreed timelines, as well as resolving any blocks in knowledge, resources or understanding.
Pilot Project Implementation
The main focus of the Program is the development of digital pilot projects.
These should not only deliver a tangible commercial benefit to the organisation
but also enable cultural change.
Projects will focus on a distinct business opportunity, such as digital subscriptions, e-mail newsletters or podcasting, with the aim of providing the participant organsation with either an entirely new line of business, or a dramatic improvement to an existing area.
The project development process will, of course, vary by project type but will follow some fundamental best processes, including prototyping, iterative testing and audience-based development.
Post-Implementation Review & Marketing
On conclusion of each stage of the Program, the Groups will be asked to present their findings to a broader audience, including other participating companies and Google.
The focus will be on showcasing both the product itself, as well as the learnings
and cultural transformation the organisation has taken from the Program.
The overall Program will conclude with an event, to be held in late 2026, highlighting
the key successes of the Program.
Key Features
Contact: [email protected]