ThePioneer

Pioneering Europe’s newest and most audacious digital media house

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Our democracies have been challenged by divisive efforts yelling «fake-news» on the one hand and a shaken-up media industry searching for new business models on the other hand. This is why we were thrilled when MediaPioneer approached us to help build their product and business from scratch — on the water. And not just any media start-up. A literal media ship with an unprecedented mission: redefining independent journalism. We were asked to come on board to help invent, shape, and create a new form of independent, investigative information distribution.

Problem

Launch a platform for disrupting independent journalism

Solution

Acting as one strong product team to build a scalable broadcasting platform together

Bringing innovative ideas to life

For Edenspiekermann, this project was close to the teams’ hearts as we were able to bring our full spectrum of ability and capacity to the table. Starting with the kick-off workshop we mapped out all questions that needed to be answered in the weeks to come. What should this broadcasting platform look like? What does it feel like? How should it be positioned? How will the design support its mission and positioning? What technologies will need to be implemented for the digital platform to be as forward-thinking as the concept itself? What design principles will radiate the mission of independent journalism and transparency to the readers? In the exploration phase, we leave no question unasked.

“Edenspiekermann has accompanied us through the entire journey: from the early exploration phase through strategy all the way to the design and development of the product. A true likeminded partnership that has contributed a lot to turning our ambitious ideas into a success!”

Max Franke, COO Media Pioneer

Shaping a platform according to its mission

All content produced by the ThePioneer editorial team needs to be delivered to the reader, watcher, and listener in a seamless experience on all devices and outlets. The concept had to be dynamic, with open doors for the integration of new and existing podcasts or other formats. The journalists and editors are and had to be perceived as strong, autonomous author brands, living under the big Media Pioneer umbrella. Clear and strong information visualization and sharp infographics to simplify the complex were another core focal point of the platform development.

“We love collaborating with start-ups and corporate ventures to bring their innovative ideas to life — acting as one strong product team. It was great fun to explore the vision, craft the strategy, invent, and eventually build the product, together.”

Christian Hanke, Edenspiekermann

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