Michael Fabiano

Breaking Barriers: How Innovation Is Changing the News Industry

October 26, 2022

Lecture Summary: Head of AP Americas Business ‘Optimistic’ About Future of News Industry→

Abstract: The media industry is experiencing a period of sustained transformation. Navigating continuous change successfully is key to organizational endurance. A culture of reinvention and process improvement is required to manage through complex industry shifts. These reinventions alter the ways in which the public is informed and makes decisions that affect our local and global society. Since its origins in 1846, The Associated Press (AP) has been an innovator in content delivery — from boat to horseback, telegraph to images, radio to video and computers to digital — the AP has been a pacesetter, experimenting with emerging technologies to create viable long-term solutions. Using the historic background of the AP as a framework, the discussion will center around advancements and ongoing challenges in the news industry.

Biography: Michael Fabiano is head of the Americas business at The Associated Press where he is leading a multi-year transformation of a 175-year-old enterprise. He oversees multimedia content licensing, marketing, product, operations and creative partnerships with profit and loss responsibility.

Mr. Fabiano previously served as vice president of business development at NBC News where he was responsible for strategic planning, digital product development, partnerships and cross-platform revenue expansion. He launched several businesses for NBC News including NBC Digital, NBC eCommerce, NBC Latino, NBC Learn, and created new programming with the Daily Connection.

He served as general manager for The Weather Channel after it was acquired as a new business unit inside NBC News. Mr. Fabiano also led the deployment of branded digital initiatives across NBC News, The Today Show, MSNBC, Hulu, Syfy, iVillage, NBC Local TV Stations, Bravo and Universal Pictures. He was responsible for creating strategic partnerships with Apple, Amazon, Google and Sony.

Mr. Fabiano previously held senior leadership roles at NBC Universal Corporate Strategy, Cendant Financial and Accenture.

He holds an MBA from Columbia University and a Master of Liberal Arts in Journalism from Harvard University Extension School. He received a B.E. in mechanical engineering and a B.A. in English and American literature from Stevens Institute of Technology. Mr. Fabiano was recently appointed by Dr. Henry Leitner to the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association.