#devpragadceo

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.

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.

Dev Pragad, CEO of Newsweek, honours journalists at the CPJ 2024, whose bravery underscores the power of a free press.

On November 21, 2024, Dev Pragad CEO and owner of Newsweek attended the esteemed Committee to Protect Journalists'(CPJ) 2024 International Press Freedom Awards. This global event honoured several journalists whose remarkable courage and commitment vividly demonstrate the indispensable role of a free press in the world today.

Journalists like Shrouq Al Aila, Quimy de León, Alsu Kurmasheva, Samira Sabou, and the late Christophe Deloire who were honoured. These individuals have proven that the journalistic profession is in fact essential to society's development, often at the great personal sacrifice.

Reflecting on the occasion, Dev Pragad Newsweek CEO emphasized the profound connection between press freedom and democracy. A free press, he stated, is essential for holding power accountable, exposing injustices, and giving a voice to the voiceless. He praised the honourees for their resilience and bravery, which inspire journalists worldwide and reinforce the principles that Newsweek upholds.

Dev Pragad Newsweek CEO also extended an appreciation to CPJ for its unstoppable work to protect journalists and amplify their voices. According to him, through CPJ's advocacy, people who face various threats or persecution in the course of doing their job get support to continue their important mission.