New digital technologies are having an impact on many industries. This also includes media, which has entered a constant state of change in the age of the internet. This business model disruption has the potential to change the role of media serving the public. While journalism is very much alive, the business model is struggling. Competing with other forms of entertainment and the need to be profitable are changing the equation, including topics such as fake news.
In his talk, Tim O’Brien will discuss the transformation of media, and how the intersection of entertainment, business, and news is shaping today’s media environment across all mediums of consumption. What can other countries with similar media systems learn from the US experience?
Lecture:
Tim O’Brien leads the Global Communications team at Microsoft, and is responsible for communications strategy and operations in over 90 countries around the world, including oversight of media relations, product launch PR, executive and internal communications, corporate citizenship, and PR campaigns.
Prior to this role, Tim led the Platform Strategy team in Developer & Platform Evangelism at Microsoft, where he was responsible for evangelism of Microsoft platform technologies, including Windows, Windows Phone, and Microsoft Azure, and worked with senior technical and business leaders within Microsoft on the development of strategies to drive developer adoption of device platforms and cloud services.
Before joining Microsoft in 2003, Tim worked as an engineer, a marketer and a consultant at both startups and Fortune 500 companies. He has over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. Tim has a BS in engineering from Purdue University and an MBA in marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School.
Welcome and moderation:
Daniela Stockmann is Professor of Digital Politics and Media at the Hertie School. Her current research focuses on trends towards digitalisation of societies across the globe and their challenges for policymakers and citizens. Her most recent research project, funded by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council, explores the impact of social media on citizen participation.
