Two years ago, we set our sights to develop a transformative vision for the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) – an effort that has culminated in a bold strategy with clear long-term objectives, which by the sheer scale of its ambition was not without a dose of complexity in its execution.
Nonetheless, motivated by the Group’s rich legacy and those who have championed it in years past, we have advanced in its execution, while being fully aware that the game and its players have changed, and its audience’s preferences having evolved beyond recognition.
We quickly realised the scale of the task we were entrusted with, namely, to develop, expand, and improve one of the most renowned journalistic establishments, with a track record full of accomplishments, using completely new tools, while navigating an ever ambiguous and evolving ecosystem.
We started by identifying the constants, the building blocks upon which all else will be built. We have identified those to be: truth in reporting, depth of analysis, precision of insights, and objectivity in presentation.
Upon identifying these constants, we proceeded to establish the main pillars needed to modernise a news and media entity. This by no means was restricted to simply developing a new website or a multi-functional app – the exercise was a much larger and more comprehensive endeavour.
It started by classifying areas and topics of interest and appeal, analysing its trends, and understanding its audiences.
It then unpacked the editorial process, evolving and developing its essence to create a modern newsroom, considering the criteria of news content, its tonality, style, and distribution strategy be it written, visual, audible or a combination of all three.
This process would not be based on preferences, but rather based on data and insights collected and analyzed to tip the needle in the direction of our desired results.
Lastly, and most importantly, was the constant need to measure and monitor performance and identify areas of improvement.
This exercise required a complete overhaul of organisational structures, policies, procedures, teams, and systems, without affecting the integrity of the reporting or the constants that make up the basic building blocks of this establishment.
It took two years to undergo a deep-dive analysis, plan, and execute this process, but we believe that we have indeed come up with a winning model that not only works for a modern newsroom and a modern media organisation, but is also able to reach, inspire, and compete in the larger landscape.
After all, journalism is not simply a profession, it is a responsibility. A responsibility to present events and ideas in the right context concisely and comprehensively, and to provide full and impartial analysis – for we are the keepers of information, and information is what shapes societies.
This responsibility is ever present across SRMG and all its platforms, not least of which Al Majalla.
