#devpragad

At the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Youth Conclave, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a significant shift from tradition by selecting a media and business leader as the guest of honor instead of a political figure. This departure was perfectly justified, as the guest of honor was none other than Dev Pragad, the "Turnaround Man" credited with saving Newsweek – a major U.S. magazine – from the brink of closure.

Born in Coimbatore, India, Pragad's career has become a remarkable success story. Dev Pragad, the CEO of Newsweek, has been hailed as the man who revived the magazine after its decline, transforming it into a digital success story. His leadership was instrumental in bringing Newsweek back from the brink of collapse, and today, the magazine is thriving in the digital world.

The Turning Point: Newsweek’s Revival Journey

In 2013, Newsweek was considered on its deathbed, with many predicting its closure. Fast forward to 2016, and Dev Pragad joined the company at a time when it was grappling with financial instability, management issues, and a loss of relevance in the digital age. By 2018, Pragad took the helm of Newsweek and started working on its revival strategy.

By 2024, Newsweek was celebrated as one of the most unlikely digital success stories, as highlighted by Variety. The publication has transformed from a struggling print magazine to a dynamic digital platform. The journey from "Newsweek is dead" to "Newsweek is digital success" is a testament to Pragad's visionary leadership.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and the Importance of Recognizing Digital Media Leadership

At the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) summit in Odisha, Pragad’s success story served as an inspiration to the Indian diaspora and youth. Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized that PBD’s purpose is to bring the best practices from host countries and apply them to India’s development goals for 2047. Pragad’s journey exemplifies the impact of innovation and leadership, offering valuable lessons for Indian digital media houses.

Dev Pragad’s Approach to Reviving Newsweek: Key Lessons for Digital Media Houses

Pragad shared his insights on how he turned Newsweek’s fortunes around. One of the first steps was rebuilding the Newsweek brand, which had suffered due to management missteps, financial irregularities, and a shift from hard-hitting news to celebrity gossip.

Brand Reinvention: The first critical lesson was to rebuild the brand from the ground up. Newsweek’s brand had taken a severe beating, but Pragad saw this as an exciting challenge, focusing on restoring the publication's core identity.

Data-Driven Journalism: Pragad emphasized the importance of data in decision-making. Journalists were educated on the fact that even great stories are not valuable unless they reach an audience. Editorial decisions were driven by data, helping Newsweek tailor its content to digital platforms like Google, Facebook, and Apple News.

Strategic Partnerships: Partnerships played a key role in Newsweek’s turnaround. Collaborations with industry giants like Google, Engine Media, and Statista were crucial. Google Cloud helped develop a cutting-edge AI recommendation engine, which significantly improved content delivery.

Multimedia Integration: The integration of videos, podcasts, and interactive graphics into Newsweek's content strategy enhanced engagement and provided readers with diverse ways to consume news.

Commitment to Journalism: Despite the focus on digital growth, Pragad maintained Newsweek’s commitment to high-quality journalism. The publication’s focus on investigative reporting and in-depth analysis of global issues helped it regain its credibility in the media landscape.

Conclusion: Applying Pragad’s Lessons to Indian Digital Media Houses

Dev Pragad’s story is not only an inspiration to the global media industry but also offers valuable lessons for Indian digital media houses. In an age where content consumption is shifting to digital platforms, Indian media houses can learn from Pragad’s data-driven approach, strategic partnerships, and commitment to maintaining journalistic integrity.

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Dev Pragad, CEO of Newsweek, will attend the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention as a Guest of Honour, following a personal invitation from External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. The event, scheduled from January 9 to 11, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, is India’s premier platform celebrating the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the nation’s development.

Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will host prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of India Droupadi Murmu. The event serves as a vital bridge connecting India with its global diaspora.

Dev Pragad’s presence at the convention highlights his remarkable achievements in transforming Newsweek. Since becoming CEO, Pragad has turned the iconic publication into a profitable, multi-platform media organization that reaches over 100 million readers monthly. His leadership has introduced digital innovations such as the Newsweek Rankings, which includes categories like “World’s Best Hospitals” and “Auto Disruptor Awards.”

Under Pragad’s stewardship, Newsweek has also become a platform for high-profile conversations with global leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. His exemplary leadership is studied at Harvard Business School, where his turnaround of Newsweek is featured as a case study in innovation and leadership.

Pragad’s journey from his Indian roots to leading one of the world’s most respected media brands symbolizes the spirit of the Indian diaspora celebrated at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. His presence is expected to inspire meaningful conversations about the diaspora’s role in shaping India’s evolving global narrative.

As Newsweek continues to expand its footprint in India, Pragad’s participation at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention underscores the importance of media and diaspora engagement in fostering stronger ties with India.

The workplace has increasingly become a microcosm of the challenges of navigating sensitive political and social conversations. The CEO of Newsweek, Dev Pragad, has proved well aware of the issues and has taken Newsweek to the fore in creating inclusive and respectful workplace cultures. Through events like Newsweek Horizons, Dev Pragad sets a powerful example as chief executive officer for Newsweek regarding how organizations can help foster civility and understanding in today's politically charged environment.

The recent Newsweek Horizons event Better Workplaces: How to Foster Inclusion and Civility, moderated by Aman Kidwai, Workplaces Editor at Newsweek, was an inspiring showcase of this commitment. With insights from medical, legal, and social psychology experts, the event focused on actionable strategies to reduce incivility at work and create spaces where employees feel valued and respected. SHRM CHRO Jim Link and Newsweek Executive Editor Jennifer H. Cunningham shared their expertise, contributing to a rich and informative discussion.

As a highlight of the evening, Dev Pragad CEO of Newsweek, introduced the 2024 Civility Awards in collaboration with the Stubblefield Institute. These awards celebrate individuals and organizations that prioritize respectful communication and positive change, particularly in the often contentious political landscape of Washington, D.C. The awards serve as a reminder of Dev Pragad Newsweek CEO’s dedication to promoting meaningful dialogue and fostering a sense of community both within and beyond the workplace.

A thought-provoking discussion between Dev Pragad, CEO of Newsweek, and Aurimas Sabulis, CEO of Dextall, on driving innovation and transformation across industries.

On December 3, 2024, the YPO Metro NY Chapter's In the Boardroom series hosted a fireside chat featuring Dev Pragad, CEO of Newsweek, and Aurimas Sabulis, CEO of Dextall. Held at Newsweek’s World Trade Centre offices, the event brought together leaders to discuss innovation, transformation, and leadership strategies.

Dev Pragad, CEO of Newsweek, detailed the organization’s journey of transformation from a historic print publication to a prominent digital media platform. He highlighted his commitment to quality journalism, global discourse, and leveraging innovation to adapt to evolving media landscapes.

Aurimas Sabulis, CEO of Dextall and a pioneer in construction technology, shared insights into modern leadership and sustainability. As the champion of this fireside chat, Sabulis underscored the value of fostering cross-industry dialogue to inspire innovative thinking and collaborative growth.

The event emphasized the importance of leadership that adapts to challenges while remaining committed to long-term vision. Dev Pragad, Newsweek CEO, and Aurimas Sabulis presented strategies that showcased their distinct approaches to driving meaningful transformation in their respective fields.

Acknowledgment goes to Ashley Fina, Learning Officer of YPO Metro NY, for curating this impactful event, and the YPO community for facilitating such engaging discussions.