Take it up a notch
Hello, everyone,
This is Marine Doux, co-founder of Médianes, a strategy, marketing, and creative studio, as well as a media resource center. Whether you’ve known us for a long time or just discovered us today, I’d like to thank you warmly for signing up and for your trust. And above all, welcome.
Another newsletter? Yes! You may already be one of the 1,500 subscribers to our industry watch newsletter dedicated to media founders. You’ll find industry updates and analysis here as well, but from a different perspective: ours, as media entrepreneurs.
In the summer of 2020, together with Baptiste Thevelein and Christelle Perrin, we set ourselves the somewhat crazy challenge of launching a company and a nonprofit organization dedicated to media. We had a nagging fear of failing and letting people down. But we also had a burning desire to help new voices emerge—and to do so in a sustainable way.
Voices committed to causes that are dear to us: feminism, environmentalism, and social justice. The desire to devote our time to impactful journalistic projects. Starting locally, thinking on a European scale, making information accessible, and developing viable and ethical editorial and economic models. Quite a program.
Two years ago, we had to grow up overnight to take the first step: launching the project and paying ourselves. Asking the right questions, identifying our needs, and finding “our” way of doing things. So many of you helped us get through this phase. Without your advice and support, this joyful adventure would have come to a quick end. So first of all, thank you. A thousand thanks, in fact.
More than 60 projects supported—70% of which are high-impact projects—an amazing team, nearly €170,000 in revenue during our first fiscal year, and five employees on permanent contracts, as well as a podcast, events, and a biannual magazine (Pays!). There have also been mistakes, moments of hesitation, unanswered emails (sorry about that), and sleepless nights. But as we enter our third year, we’re still having just as much fun and are more passionate than ever.
This fall, once again, we want to take things to the next level. We aim to develop new sources of funding for our media outlet, support new projects, and stabilize our growth—all to transform the media alongside you.
The rest is yet to be decided. Shall we talk about it?
— Marine, Baptiste, and Christelle.
What can we do together?
Strategy, marketing, design, tech: For the past two years, we’ve been supporting both established and emerging media outlets at every stage of their development. But in practical terms, what can we achieve together?
As the new school year begins, we’ve put together a short PDF presentation to explain our areas of expertise and our values, and to share five project highlights from our work with Reporters Without Borders, StreetPress, La Disparition, Vert, and Arrêt sur images.
CHRISTELLE PERRIN | MÉDIANES, THE STUDIO
From the media's perspective
MAXIME LOISEL | HYPERNEWS
Breaking down the wall between the public and newsrooms
Until very recently, Maxime Leroy served as “Product Director for Audience” at The New York Times. In an article by Maxime Loisel, he discusses the newspaper’s digital strategy and the future of journalism. And here’s a little surprise: you’ll soon be able to read his columns every month in this newsletter.
MARINE SLAVITCH | MEDIANES
For journalism that rises to the challenge of the ecological crisis
Several hundred journalists, scientists, and media outlets signed the “Charter for Journalism That Meets the Challenges of the Ecological Emergency”—initiated by the independent media outlet Vert—at the start of the new school year. We were among the first signatories.
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⟶ What business models for 2023?
On November 25 in Paris, Baptiste Thevelein will share our insights during SPIIL’s Independent Press Day.
⟶ New Collaborations
As the new school year begins, we’re starting to collaborate with Basta!, Mediabask, and AOC, and we’re continuing to support StreetPress, euradio, and La Déferlante, among others. Check out our full list of clients.
⟶ How can you design and optimize your newsletter?
Come learn the art of creating newsletters with us this coming November with Ouest Médialab.
⟶ The Mayotte Journalism Guide
This fall, stay tuned for the launch of the fourth issue of *Pays*, the magazine that tells the stories of different regions through the voices of the people who live there. We are the proud co-founders of this magazine.
⟶ Maxime Leroy joins Médianes
An expert in audience and community development, with experience at The New York Times, CNN, and Meetup, and now working with Le Monde. Max will be writing a monthly column for us; you’ll be able to read it in a few weeks.
⟶ Revenue doubled
These are the results from Reporters Without Borders' online store. Follow our Instagram account to see our story about our mission alongside Perrine Daubas.
⟶ Launch of a nature-loving local media outlet
We’re thrilled to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of *L’Herbier Parisien*, a newsletter we’ve been supporting with design, marketing, and technical expertise for nearly a year.
A project? An idea?
Marketing, strategy, creativity: Do you have a project? An idea? Write to us! In the meantime, we’ll see you on October 28 in your inboxes.
Médianes, the studio
This newsletter was prepared by Marine Doux and Baptiste Thevelein, in collaboration with Pauline Butel, Juliette Cahen, Christelle Perrin, and Amira Rouabhi.
