In December 2023, INMA and Google News Initiative (GNI) awarded their fourth annual Elevate Scholarship to 50 news media professionals from 31 countries. This series features these impressive media professionals who are shaping our industry.

As digital product manager at The Daily Prothom Alo in Bangladesh, Hossain Al Farabi is exercising his forward-thinking approach to the changing media landscape.

His background with digital agencies, where he spearheaded projects including Web development, app creation, digital branding, and more provided the perfect training ground for his career in the news media industry.

Since joining Prothom Alo in 2021, Hossain has leveraged those diverse experiences and unique insights to work with editorial, advertising, product, and subscription departments. His goal is always to create user-centric experiences for Prothom Alo’s audience.

“In close collaboration with our newsrooms, I fuse editorial insights with data analytics to craft compelling stories and engaging content that captivates readers while leveraging data to tailor our offerings to their preferences,” Hossain said.   

That role also extends to working on monetisation strategies by collaborating with advertising teams to develop innovative and effective advertising solutions that can be integrated with the content. And his experience in digital advertising projects ensures that its revenue streams align with user expectations and market trends.  

His bold and forward-thinking approach was instrumental in helping him secure funding from the Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge in 2022, and his entry to the INMA Global Media Awards that same year earned second place in the Best Idea to Grow Advertising.

“My career trajectory showcases a fusion of strategic thinking, leadership, and an unyielding commitment to innovation,” Hossain said. “I have transformed challenges into stepping stones for personal growth. I continue to embrace opportunities, steering my career towards a future where excellence and impact converge in the ever-evolving digital realm.”

As an Elevate Scholarship recipient, Hossain is eager to add to an already impressive set of skills: “Specifically, I will focus on cultivating business skills that are pertinent to subscriptions, product development, data analytics, advertising, and the intricate workings of newsrooms,” he said, adding that he also looks forward to gaining insights into how to craft effective subscription strategies that will resonate with diverse audiences.

“By acquiring these skill sets, I envision contributing not only to my individual career growth but also to the industry’s collective ability to address challenges and embrace opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving news landscape.”

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