The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the International Federation of Periodical Publishers (FIPP) have announced an agreement to merge their operations, effective January 1, 2026. The merger will unite global networks of over 20,000 media brands and technology companies across 120 countries.
WAN-IFRA, a global organisation comprising 3,000 news publishers and technology companies, and 60 national publishers’ associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries, has the mandate to protect the rights of journalists and publishers worldwide to operate independent media. On the other hand, FIPP, originally formed in 1925 in France by a consortium of magazine publishers to enable them to share ideas, now empowers its members to build market-leading international media businesses through intelligence, solutions, and partnerships.
This merger addresses shared challenges head-on and establishes a powerful, unified platform for advocacy, innovation, and growth. The new alliance is built on several key shared business challenges and opportunities, as traditional distinctions between media categories are becoming less pronounced, creating grounds for cross-sector learning. While unique challenges remain, core business functions, including content creation, audience engagement, monetisation strategies, and technology adoption, present common hurdles that are best overcome through collective intelligence and shared best practices. Therefore, both WAN-IFRA and FIPP are guided by the conviction that media freedom is firmly rooted in sustainable, economically independent news businesses. In an era dominated by global technology platforms and the rapid rise of AI, a unified industry front is more critical than ever. This merger provides the global publishing community with a stronger collective voice to defend press freedom, advocate for publishers’ rights, and engage more effectively with a challenging digital and tech ecosystem.
This decision reflects a shared commitment to building a more resilient and collaborative future, as articulated by the leadership of both organisations.
“This is a pivotal moment for our industry. Welcoming FIPP into the WAN-IFRA family creates an unparalleled global community for all media. In an environment where consolidation is key to building strength, this merger fortifies the entire media ecosystem. Together, we are better positioned to champion the values of independent journalism and create new opportunities for growth and innovation that will deliver enhanced value to all our members,” said Ladina Heimgartner, President of WAN-IFRA.
“For 100 years, FIPP has been the connective hub for special interest media globally. Today, we take the most significant step in our history by merging with WAN-IFRA. FIPP will retain its unique identity, with its Congress and dedicated services, which our community values. This merger gives us greater strength in numbers to shape our industry’s future, establish critical frameworks, and present a united front when engaging with global challenges and partners. In the digital age, everyone is in the same business of creating quality content and building sustainable models around it,” commented Yulia Boyle, the FIPP Chair.
The successful integration of FIPP into WAN-IFRA is designed to be seamless, ensuring continuity of service while unlocking significant new value for all members. The merger agreement outlines a clear framework for collaboration and governance that protects the unique identity of the special interest media community while leveraging the scale and resources of the combined organisation.
Under the direction of the current FIPP CEO, Alastair Lewis, a new community named “Consumer Lifestyle and Special Interest Media” will be established within WAN-IFRA. This will serve as the home for former FIPP members, providing a focused environment for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration under the guidance of an Advisory Board, which will commence with the current FIPP Board members represented on the WAN-IFRA Supervisory Board.
The federation of 20,000 media brands across 120 countries emphasises the power of collaboration and unity in the industry. Together, we can achieve greater success than we could individually. WAN-IFRA and FIPP are doing what needs to happen in the face of seismic challenges and opportunities for the content industry: share what works, learn together, and compete smarter,” said Alastair Lewis, FIPP CEO and President.
“The stakes for independent fact-based journalism are more stimulating than ever, the challenges to safeguarding its integrity and sustainability are more pressing than ever, and the opportunities to overcome the limitations we have imposed on ourselves for decades are greater than ever. Staying focused on purpose while reinventing ourselves is more vital than ever,” commented Vincent Peyrègne, WAN-IFRA CEO.
Also, the annual FIPP Congress will continue, preserving a cornerstone event for the global magazine industry. Other established FIPP events, training programmes, and unique content will be integrated into WAN-IFRA’s extensive portfolio of member offerings. All members will gain unrivalled access to an enhanced knowledge hub on the WAN-IFRA website. This central resource will feature a comprehensive repository of expertise, case studies, best practices, and industry trends from both the news and magazine sectors.
For more information and inquiries, contact Vincent Peyrègne, CEO WAN-IFRA, at vincent.peyregne@wan-ifra.org or Alastair Lewis, CEO FIPP, at alastair@fipp.com.
