Editorial management (Schmidt) Flashcards
(40% of the module with Project Management (30%) and Media Planning (30%)) (67 cards)
What is Media Management?
π Definition: A dynamic process where individuals work with and through others to achieve organizational objectives.
π‘ Key Idea: Media managers must adapt to industry changes and manage teams effectively.
Classical school of management (three approaches )
- associated with Industrial revolution
- was centered on practical measures, primarily improving the means of production and increasing productivity among workers
- ## serious contribution to management - philosopher Mary Parker Follet;
Scientific management approach (Classical school)
- father of this approach is F.W.Taylor
- Systematic approach to the challenge of increasing production. Introduced: determination of the most effective way to coordinate tasks, careful selection of employees for different positions, proper training and introduction of economic incentives to motivate employees.
- Approach viewed workers mechanistically, suggesting that management could guarantee greater output if better wages promised in return.
- Today used from the approach β> detailed job descriptions, sophisticated methods of employee selection, training and development.
Administrative Management approach (Classical school)
- Henri Fayol studied the entire organization hoping to make it more efficient. One of the first management theorists to recognize management as a PROCESS.
- Introduced POC3 model
- (!!!) Established a list of 14 principles of management
1. Division of work (should be divided according to specialization)
2. Authority and responsibility (the manager has the authority to give directions and demand compliance along with appropriate responsibility)
3. Discipline
4. Unity of commands (Orders should be received from a single supervisor)
5. Unity of direction (Similar activities should be under the direction of one leader)
6. Subordination of individual interest to general interest (Interests of single employee donβt outweight those of the organization)
7. Remuneration (Should be fair)
8. Centralization (Certain level of centralization of authority needed to maximase employee productivity)
9. Scalar chain (Line of authority usually from top to bottom)
10. Order (All necessary materials should be located in the proper place for max efficiency)
11. Equity (Fair and equitable treatment of all emplyees)
12. Stability of tenure of personnel.
13. Initiative (The ability to implement and develop a plan is crucial)
14. Esprit de corps (A spirit of harmony should be promoted among personnel) - Thought that the principles must be flexible enough to accommodate changing circumstances.
Bureaucratic Management approach (Classical school)
- Max Weber in Germany
- In 1947 Weber theorized that the use of a hierarchy or bureaucracy would enable an organization to produce at its highest level.
- Needed: clear division of labor and management; strong central authority; system of seniority; strict discipline; clear policies and procedures; careful selection of workers
- Weberβs contribution: organizational flow charts, job descriptions, specific guidelines for promotion and advancement
Maslowβs Hierarchy of Needs (Human Relations School)
- Employees have a series of needs. As one level of needs if met, other levels of needs become important to the individual.
- Some ppl have dominant needs at a aparticular level and thus never move through the entire hierarchy;
- Some individuals respond differently throughout the life cycle.
- Managers might require different motivational techniques to motivate ppl according to their needs.
5 - Self-actualization level (the idea of maximizing oneβs potential)
4 - Esteem level (self-esteem and recognition from others)
3 - Social needs level (need to belong and be accepted by others)
2 - Safety level (no danger, predictable environment)
1 - Physiological needs (food, water, shelter, clothing)
Modern Approaches to management β Management effectiveness (/MBO)
- Classic and Human relations schools consider EFFECTIVENESS a natural and expected outcome. MODERN management theorists question this assumption.
- P. Drucker (1986) developed MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES (MBO) - here middle-, and senior-level managers must identify goals for each individual area of responsibility and share these expectations with each unit and employee. Shared objectives serve as a way management can monitor and evaluate progress.
- Criticism of MBO: it is time-consuming to implement and difficult to maintain in media organisations (rapidly changing environment).
But still MBO could be found in the areas of promotion, marketing and financial forecasting.
Modern Approaches to management β Systems Approaches to Management
- Macro perspective (entire organization is examined, the study includes in which environment the organisation operates)
- Inputs, production processes, outputs
- External environment is also studied as organisations are not isolated entities
- Resource dependence perspective β> the media industries donβt operate in isolation, but form a larger systems that also includes political, economic, technological and social subsystems
Modern Approaches to management β Total Quality Management (TQM)
- series of approaches to emphasize quality in organisations, especially in regard to producing products and serving both external and internal customers
- managers combine strategic approaches to deliver the best products by continuously improving every part of the operation
- every employee must be responsible for quality
- TQM might help organisation to maintain a competitive edge
Modern Approaches to management β Strategic management
- primarily concerned with developing tools and techniques to analyse firms, industries and competition, and developing strategies to gain competitive advantage.
- Michael Porter !!! SWOT analysis
Modern Approaches to management β Leadership
- thereβs a wide agreement that the most successful organisations have strong and effective leaders
- Bennis claims leadership consists of: vision, passion, integrity.
- Leaders also willing to take risks and are not afraid of failure.
- Bennis: leader innovates and offer long-range perspective, managers administers and exhibits a short-range view.
From publicist to manager
- Manager:
An executive, who is empowered to give instructions and to make decisions - Editorial manager:
Journalistic as well as administrative and economic objectives (profit maximization and growth)
5 key aspects of editorial management
- Cost Management
- Editorial Marketing
- Quality Management
- Technical Management
- Human Resources Management
What is cost management?
π Cost Management = The process of planning and controlling business costs.
π‘ Key Idea: Helps businesses budget, forecast, and monitor costs to maximize profits.
πΉ Goal: Minimize expenses while ensuring efficiency & long-term sustainability.
Aspects of cost management (low/high costs savings vs time)
Low savings + Operational Short-term up to 3 months = Reduce costs and prioritize spendings
Middle savings+ Tactical timing of 3 months-2 years = Optimize costs (increase efficiency)
Higher savings + Tactical timing of 3 months-2 years = Rationalize costs (Business relevance, flexibility and agility)
High savings + Strategic timing 2 years and UP = Trasform costs (invest more to optimize more)
Tasks of Editorial Marketing
Kotler, P. (1994):
A social and managerial process by which individuals and groups obtain what they want and need through creating, offering, and exchanging products of value with others.
Goal: βCustomer acquisitionβ through orientation of a product based on the needs and interests of the audience in order to achieve customer loyalty and gain new customers
Conflict of goals: Orientation of advertising industry vs. journalistic
independence
Long term objectives of editorial marketing:
Market orientation
- Market orientation β> Analysis of the competition and demarcation to gain a specific position ((Meaning: USP - what are we doing differently compared to our competitors))
- Growth orientation β> Market position should be developed - through Marketing activities (e.g. qualitative improvements, new target groups)
- Future orientation β> Considering societal and economic changes - new products
Tasks of Technical management
Technologization of the journalists daily routine:
- Provision of Equipment (From Laptop, VC to smartphone)
- Introduction of editorial systems (electronic tools for planning
and management of editorial content) - Providing necessary software
- Digital archive
Tasks of Quality management
Journalistic quality as a competitive advantage in increasing competition
Task: That the company does everything that the product fulfils the requirements of the producers but also the needs of the target group.
What is journalistic quality?
- the definition of journalistic quality is diverse
- NORMATIVE approach (accuracy, relevance, transparency, balance, diversity, topicality, understandability, legitimacy). Approach: quality is understood as a norm which should be taken over as a task by media - which is almost impossible to comprehend - and difficult to evaluate the fulfilment.
- FUNCTIONAL approach (Society is strongly differentiated β> therefore differentiated journalistic systems are needed.
As example: information journalism; investigative-, service-, sports-, life-style-, local-, boulevard/tabloid journalismβ¦
Conclusion: β> the specific journalism is then of a high quality level when it fulfils its function!!)
Instruments of quality management
- Determining the audience interests by conducting market research.
- Using internal expertise (editorial conferences, departmental conferences) and partly external know how. 3. Using external skills (training, expert speakers). 4. Dealing with errors proactively. 5. Fact-checking. 6. Success-oriented bonuses.
Reasons for Lack of Quality Management
1) Economic
2) Sociological
Some years ago, DW has launched a 24- hour English news channel to expand the scope of its reach. (Before the program was aired 10 hours a day.) The new channel aims to provide better and more relevant information to English speaking audiences, particularly in Africa and Asia.
Based on the concept of Editorial Management, what aspects belong to what key element of Editorial Management?
- Content Strategy
Aspects:
Expanding from a 10-hour to a 24-hour broadcast reflects a strategic decision to provide continuous news coverage, ensuring relevance for diverse time zones. - Resource Allocation
Aspects:
Scaling up operations to 24-hour broadcasting requires additional human resources, such as more editors, reporters, and technical staff.
Investment in infrastructure, such as studio facilities, transmission systems, and digital platforms, to support round-the-clock operations.
Budget adjustments to cover increased costs for production, distribution, and marketing of the expanded programming. - Audience Engagement
Aspects:
Targeting specific regions (Africa and Asia) involves understanding and addressing the unique information needs and preferences of these audiences.
Utilizing feedback mechanisms, surveys, and analytics to continuously refine content and ensure audience satisfaction. - Editorial Standards and Policies
Aspects:
Ensuring consistent adherence to DWβs editorial principles, such as impartiality, accuracy, and reliability, in a 24-hour operation.
Training staff to address culturally sensitive topics, particularly for diverse audiences in Africa and Asia. - Workflow Optimization
Aspects:
Introducing streamlined workflows and editorial processes to handle continuous news production.
Utilizing newsroom management tools (e.g., content scheduling, story tracking) to coordinate teams and ensure seamless operations across time zones. - Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
Aspects:
Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs), such as audience reach, engagement rates, and viewer satisfaction, to measure the success of the channel expansion.
Regularly analyzing viewership data from Africa and Asia to assess the channelβs impact and relevance.
Using performance insights to adapt editorial strategies and programming schedules for continuous improvement.
what is Total Quality Management?
TQM (Total Quality Management) is a management approach focused on long-term success through customer satisfaction. It involves the continuous improvement of processes, products, and services across all levels of an organization, with the active participation of all employees.
What is the EFQM Model?
The EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) Model is a framework for evaluating and improving an organizationβs performance.
π‘ Key Idea: Achieve sustainable excellence by balancing the needs of all stakeholders (customers, employees, suppliers, society) while promoting innovation and continuous improvement.