Head of digital at the Tiso Blackstar Group, Lisa MacLeod, was recently appointed vice president of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, WAN-IFRA. She is the first woman vice president of the 70-year-old organisation. MacLeod is a driving force in digital and is the former general manager of Digital for Media24’s 24.com, a former head of operations for FT.com, and FT managing editor.
I am 45 years old and so far in my career…
I have done every journalism-related job under the sun, and enjoyed them all
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned…
There is nothing more important than building a good team, and treating your colleagues with respect
If you put people first, everything else falls into place
Always be early for a flight
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had…
I answered phones in a temp job in England, and I couldn’t understand any of the regional accents. So after asking for multiple repeats, I used to pretend it was a bad line, apologise and hang up. I lasted about two days: The stress was killing me.
What excites you most about your appointment as VP of WAN-IFRA?
WAN-IFRA is completely focused on the reform of gender issues in journalism. The Women in News programme is excellent, they have some exceptional stakeholders on board to drive this agenda, and I am very happy to be a part of it. I’m also so pleased to be representing a great South African media company in Tiso Blackstar on the international stage – we are making enormous strides in tech innovation and in newsroom management, and we’re in a strong position to lead and contribute to discussions on issues facing the industry.
What, in your mind, are the challenges faced by WAN-IFRA members?
We are hearing the same stories around the world: Print is in almost terminal decline, digital advertising is tanking, Google and Facebook are eating our lunch, the programmatic ecosystem was described by a speaker in Portugal as a “swamp”, technical competence is expensive to achieve, and digital skills are lacking in so many parts of the world. The challenge is how to pivot a legacy business to a profitable digital business, or indeed how to simply survive. And of course, press freedom is under attack globally, and WAN-IFRA is a huge and important voice in the protection of journalists.
Why is the organisation important to the business of media?
The focus on education, and of creating spaces to share experiences is absolutely critical at this time. The amount of information exchanged at conferences and gatherings, the networking, is fundamental, as are the study tours. I have never left a WAN-IFRA Congress or meeting without at least five amazing ideas to take home and try – and hearing perspectives from markets in developing countries is in many ways even more relatable than the big US or European success stories, because necessity is the mother of invention.
And again, protecting the freedom of the press helps keep journalism relevant and sustainable in the “post-truth” world.
How good are you at balancing a demanding career at Tiso, and what is required of you at WAN-IFRA?
You forgot to mention the mothering of a spirited 5-year old …
I have done work for WAN-IFRA for many years and have served on the World Editor’s Forum board since 2009 while doing my job quite successfully – and I’ve managed so far! I use my time effectively and I’ve got tons of lifehacks and lots of family support to keep the trains on the track. I also watch very little TV. Big time-saver.
The quality I most respect in people is…
Integrity
My pet hate is…
Expensive data and slow wi-fi
What scares you most…
Running out of time to do the things I still want to do
My best qualities are…
I’ve got a lot of energy and I find people fascinating. I’m an optimist.
My worst qualities are…
Jumping to conclusions, being impatient and not taking criticism well
My personal motto is…
Hold Fast
A perfect day would be…
A rainy, pyjama day with my family
If I could have dinner with someone living or dead it would be…
Both sets of grandparents. I still think of all the things I never asked them.
The gadget/s I can’t live without and why…
My Samsung S9+. Android all the way in the South African market.
My addiction is…
Chips and dip, and Twitter
My death row meal would be…
Bacon and eggs and a flat white
I think 2018 will be…
The year that Trump leaves office, for his role in detaining immigrant children in inhumane conditions.
