In October 2022, INMA awarded 30 young professionals around the world its third “30 Under 30” award as part of its Young Professionals Initiative. This is the 16th in a series of 30 features about the impressive rising media stars who are shaping our industry.

Having worked in many aspects of the news media industry has given Paul the perspective needed to understand the challenges faced by different departments. After studying at Oxford, he worked for the German-speaking publications FAZ and NZZ before launching his own media start-up, Forum.eu. As CEO of Forum.eu, he grew the team to 27 full-time employees and landed on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. 

Now, he is applying his breadth and depth of experience to Ringier AG, where he is part of a team working on creating a new business unit centred around sports media. His role includes leading the new markets they are planning to enter — either through new ventures or mergers and acquisitions — and managing the processes.

Recognising that the merger of sports media, tech, and Web 3 technologies poses a challenge and a solution to existing sport media platforms, he said his next focus is on developing products and strategies that will have a positive impact on audiences and commercial outcomes.

“The primary focus on commercial outcomes often leads media companies to hold back with innovation,” he said. “It should be innovation first, monetisation second.”

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