Editor’s note: In this ongoing series, INMA is profiling our most engaged members — our super fans — to give members a chance to learn more about each other. Today we profile Armando Castilla, CEO for Vanguardia in Coahuila, Mexico.

While it’s easier said than done, Armando Castilla, CEO of Vanguardia in Coahuila, Mexico, believes letting go of old ideas and accepting changes in the industry have played a significant role in the company’s progress during the past year.

However, the company still faces many challenges. One of the challenges to the industry is the growing number of competing storytellers that can be found at the touch of a button or swipe of a finger, he said: “There is a huge amount of great storytellers in our industry, starting with Disney and finishing with the little kid that is famous for making funny faces on TikTok,” he said.

That means the news media industry must look for new and interesting ways to stand out in a densely populated space.

INMA recently caught up with Castilla to learn more about what is on his mind these days.

INMA: If you had your career to do over again, what would you want to know in the beginning?

Castilla: How to programme for a better experience of the news.

 INMA: What makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning?

Castilla: To be able to change my environment and the quality of life of the persons we impact.

INMA: What is the craziest job or project you’ve ever done in media — and what did you learn from it?

Castilla: We developed special issues as our daily proposal, and they were very popular. Our readers really loved our approach on the subjects we chose to cover, and we created great stories in the printed and Web versions.

 INMA: What success within your company are you most proud of right now?

Castilla: To be seen as one of Mexico’s more innovative media companies with our innovation lab in the works.

 INMA: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?

Castilla: Listen more than you speak.

INMA: What do you do to relax?

Castilla: I walk.

INMA: If you hadn’t gone into news media, what was your backup plan?

Castilla: Finance on Wall Street.

INMA: What is your favourite thing to read?

Castilla: Novels from Mexico personalities in the past.

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