AMA with Fran Beighton of Daily Maverick

Jun 30

In this conversation with Fran Beighton, Head of Growth at Daily Maverick, we explore how one of South Africa’s most innovative media companies has defied industry decline by staying radically committed to its purpose, listening obsessively to its audience, and turning experimentation into a habit—not a department.

From navigating a paywall-free business model to launching a new social platform for paying members, Fran shares what it really takes to build trust, drive engagement, and grow revenue—all while keeping journalism honest and human.

Change how you think about growth strategy, product development, and audience relationships with the video and 5 key takeaways below. Join the conversation in the new LinkedIn Group here.

1. Mission Before Monetization: Growth Rooted in Purpose

At the heart of Daily Maverick’s growth strategy is an unwavering commitment to public service journalism. Rather than imposing a paywall, they opted for a voluntary membership model—a harder, riskier path that aligns more deeply with their belief in accessible information for all. This principled approach doesn’t just build trust—it makes every financial contribution a vote of confidence from the community.

“The irony I find about paywalls is that the pursuit of financial sustainability can negate the purpose of journalism.”

2. A Bold Disruption that Changed Everything

In September 2024, they shut down publication for 24 hours—a radical move to highlight the fragility of journalism in South Africa. Despite high risk, it became their most successful day ever in terms of new member acquisition and engagement. The move showed that creating visceral, lived experiences for readers can deepen appreciation—and action.

“It was our highest grossing day ever… acquisition of new members, engagement, and businesses reaching out.”

3. Relentless Experimentation—with Guardrails

Innovation is democratized across the organization: anyone close to a problem is empowered to propose solutions. But all new ideas must survive a rigorous (and infamously painful) Product Launch Guide, ensuring they’re deeply thought through and sustainable across functions.

“If you cannot get through the product launch guide… you’re either not backing it enough or you haven’t thought about how it will affect the rest of the organization.”

4. Audience-Centered Everything: Research as Relationship

Surveys, feedback loops, and direct engagement aren’t just tactics—they’re cultural norms. Fran challenges the notion that asking your audience is a sign of weakness, arguing instead that it’s a powerful trust builder and a growth multiplier.

“People feel valued when you ask their opinion… there’s a huge amount of trust that can be built when you admit that you don’t know everything.”

5. Building the Future: AI, Community, and Reader-Powered Networks

From using AI for smarter member conversion to launching a reader-only social platform, Daily Maverick is redefining what media membership means. This platform connects members with each other—not just the newsroom—unlocking new value and loyalty through community, collaboration, and real-world utility.