The path undertaken in recent years by the GEDI Group can be summarised in a single word encompassing several meanings. It describes what we are, what we offer our public on a daily basis and the direction that we have chosen, in a sector where quality always takes first place. The word is: innovation.
2021 was the year when GEDI positioned the transformation of both technology and digital products at the heart of our development programmes. We created vertical theme-based centres, the Content Hubs, which gave rise to digital initiatives, new inserts in our newspapers and events at national level, like Italian Tech Week, the Open Green&Blue Summit and Alphabet of the Future. The new CRM platform and data provided significant impetus to growth in digital subscriptions and digital campaigns for our advertising customers, as well as creating a new basis for usability and multimedia enhancement for our new publication and radio sites and apps.
The “summation” of the new GEDI approach is probably the One Podcast initiative, which has consolidated the production of audio content across all Group newspapers into a single app. The aim is to compete with the leading podcast platforms in Italy, offering high levels of professionalism, talent, writers and journalists able to produce original entertainment and information podcasts. A unique feature among Italian publishing groups, which has began climbing the ratings thanks to captivating series and the high listening levels recorded.
We have also created the basis for a strong commitment in the school segment, which we will be developing further in coming months: education has prime position among the objectives underpinning our ESG policy, because in addition to concentrating on environmental, social and corporate governance issues, contributing to more modern schooling, that is both interesting and inclusive, is the most effective way to build our future.
In 2021, we introduced two initiatives that touched on school training and more. The first is related to the Fondazione Specchio dei Tempi/Specchio d’Italia, whereby we promoted the Digitali e Uguali project together with Yoox and the Golinelli Foundation. Over 1,500 computers were donated to students in schools throughout Italy, helping to close the digital divide, which many families in Italy are still experiencing. The second was the commitment that resulted in our Group’s publications participating in the Osservatorio Permanente Giovani Editori, with the Quotidiano in Classe project, which works with Repubblica@scuola, focusing especially on the digital. The most effective way to promote active participation by the youth in society is for them to acquire a critical consciousness of the world, using modern and immediate language.
The other topic that is especially close to our heart is the environment. In addition to internal initiatives to reduce the Group’s carbon footprint, with the introduction of the Green&Blue vertical, we not only provided a voice for protagonists in the national debate on sustainability, but also reported on tangible experiences that show how it is possible to reconcile economic and social development with respect for our planet.
Environment, participation, inclusion, innovation: the Sustainability Report that we are presenting tells of a year of transformation and evolution for a Group, which in pursuing and improving its activities, interprets its role as a sector leader on a daily basis. A Group that has always believed in innovation: based on its vocation, objectives and values.
Maurizio Scanavino
Chief Executive Officer
GEDI Gruppo Editoriale