Press Release Please view in HTML

Strictly Embargoed: Monday 16th March 2015

The Economist invests in video with launch of new venture Economist Films

Publisher announces plan to capitalise on the rapidly growing demand for video

Monday 16th March 2015, – Today Group announces the launch of Economist Films, the media owner’s opening move in an initiative to expand its video output.

Initially based in London, Economist Films will produce high-end, factual programmes that capture the voice and identity of The Economist while standing alone from the weekly output of the newspaper in print and digital formats. The opening production slate will be made up of short-form videos designed to appeal to existing and new audiences. The initial business approach is a sponsor-supported model with screenings of content across the publisher’s social and digital platforms. (Sponsors will have no influence over the content of individual videos, but will be able to sponsor entire series.) The high level of production values and intellectual rigour will reflect the newspaper’s heritage as a world leader in reporting, analysis and investigation. The ultimate aim is to produce a wide range of short and long-form content, both sponsored and commissioned, in a variety of documentary and programme formats.

Nicholas Minter Green will lead on commercial and creative direction as President of Economist Films. He will step across from his current role as Global Managing Director of content agency TVC Group, a business acquired in 2012. Tom Standage will be the editorial guardian of Economist Films alongside his responsibilities as deputy editor of The Economist and various other duties in digital strategy.

Nicholas says, “This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to work with a brand with the global resonance and reputation of The Economist and re-imagine it into a credible and powerful video expression. It will create untold opportunities to form exciting brand partnerships and to engage a new and growing digital viewership across our platforms. The opportunity is to create a product set that doesn’t break from The Economist’s storied history but celebrates the principles that people love and trust”.

The Economist Group CEO, Chris Stibbs, commented, “Whilst the potential of video is clear as a commercial driver to reach audiences and fulfil the evolving demands of our brand partners, it is essential that we launch a product that reflects the quality and integrity of The Economist newspaper. Economist Films is founded on the unflinching independence of our journalistic pursuit and it’s the potential to translate that idea into moving-image that creates the most powerful proposition for brand partners and viewers.”

A full programme of release will be scheduled from September 2015.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor For further information, please contact …

About The Economist (www.economist.com) With a growing global circulation (more than 1.5 million including both print* and digital) and a reputation for insightful analysis and perspective on every aspect of world events, The Economist is one of the most widely recognised and well-read current-affairs publications. The paper covers politics, business, science and technology, and books and arts, concluding each week with the obituary. In addition to the web-only content such as blogs, debates and audio/video programmes available on the website, The Economist is available to download for reading on Android, Blackberry PlayBook, iPhone or iPad devices. The Economist Espresso, our daily briefing smartphone app, is also available for download via iTunes App Store or Google Play. *Audit Bureau of Circulations Worldwide, Jul-Dec 2014