This episode of Perspectives features Lou Grasser, Chief Digital Operations Officer at Le Monde, who leads digital strategy, subscriptions, and product innovation at one of France’s most respected news organizations. Lou traces Le Monde’s transformation from a traditional print outlet to a thriving digital subscription business, growing from 225,000 subscribers in 2015 to over 665,000 today, with strong revenue growth.
They discuss how editorial diversification—such as the introduction of popular sections like intimacy, investigative video content, and real-time “Live at Le Monde” coverage—has fueled engagement and conversion. Lou details Le Monde’s international expansion through an English-language edition tailored for global audiences, emphasizing curated content rather than direct translation.
The conversation highlights Le Monde’s partnership with the French streaming platform Max to offer bundled subscriptions, a novel approach in the French market aimed at acquisition and retention. Lou also shares lessons from their dynamic pricing strategies powered by machine learning, stressing the need for transparency and flexibility.
On innovation, Lou explains Le Monde’s collaboration with OpenAI to responsibly integrate AI into editorial workflows and subscriber management, enhancing efficiency without compromising quality. Finally, Lou underscores the critical importance of listening to reader feedback, protecting content value, and building trust around journalists to succeed in the evolving media landscape.
