Description

How does The Information, known for original, in-depth reporting about all things tech, disrupt the business-as-usual coverage of the industry? Lessin will tell us about running a compelling news organization that has deeply reported articles about the technology industry that you won’t find elsewhere. And she will share how being a woman founder and boss within male-dominated environments of startups and tech is often a good thing.

The Information was considered a “disrupter” media property when founded in December 2013. Now with seven years of data-analysis, breaking stories and deep, nuanced reporting on technology companies the company is now considered “mainstream” itself. Proof of how influential the organization has become in covering tech was that an attack article by a New York Times media reporter was published in February 2020.

The Information’s business model is primarily subscription driven, priced at $399 per individual per year. Lessin has stated publicly that the company has more than 20,000 subscribers and that they have been profitable since 2016. The news property accepts no advertising, although its events business, has commercial sponsorships. The company has also started an accelerator for news startups.

Among the topics we will discuss with Lessin are:
• How her startup competed with bigger, better funded news organizations and now that she is the incumbent, how does she compete with those pesky startups?
• What is the most challenging part of her job in terms of management?
• Diversity, equity and inclusion – how does The Information cover these topics and has it changed over the years? And how does the organization practice DEI?

Media Guru events are well-known for their “no speeches, no Power Point” promise: Just compelling one-on-one conversation with a fascinating personality making news in the media business, followed by Q+A.

Participants must register by NOON on April 28th to receive details on joining the discussion. The Zoom link will be sent out 24 hours before the event.

Please note that no refunds will be issued.