www.tinius.com - redesigned - and updated
Introducing this updated version of The Tinius Trust' website, we will over time try to give a little insight into the fundamental changes taking place in the media landscape.
In the Articles of Association of the Tinius Trust, – the objectives of the Trust are as follows;
§3 Objective
The Trust is the owner of the 4 voting A shares in Blommenholm Industrier AS. The Trust shall manage these shares and other assets belonging to the Trust in accordance with the following guidelines:
The Schibsted Group is to be run according to the main editorial and business guidelines laid down on formation of the Group, guidelines which have since been governing the Group operations.
The Schibsted Group is to be run in such a way that it ensures free and independent editing of the newspapers owned by the Group and its subsidiaries involved in editorial operations.
The Schibsted Group is to strive for quality and credibility in all its publications, and defend values such as religious freedom, tolerance, human rights and democratic principles. The Trust is to work to achieve the long-term, healthy financial development of the Schibsted Group. When necessary, the Trust shall also work to impact the general conditions essential to ensure a free and independent press.
The Trust was established on May 8. 1996. Tinius Nagell-Erchsen then donated the controlling shares that would vote for his 27% in Schibsted ASA, – when the Articles of Association in Schibsted granted negative control to any group controlling 25% of the votes. Furthermore – the Articles of Association stated that no group of shareholders can vote for more that 30% of all shares. Thus, – the Tinius Trust would have strong influence on the development og the directions for Schibsted in the future.
At that time the media scene was dominated by the traditional media outlets like Newspapers, Radio and TV, – and the Schibsted activities in Scandinavia were among the leading players in the media fields – particularly in Newspapers. Some of the newspapers had at that time already started experimenting with the new digital media, – as the Internet became open to the general public in 1994. However – few – if any – could envision the scope of the media revolution that had started.
Today, – 15 years later, The Tinius Trust has considerable influence on the directions Schibsted is pursuing, – now as an International Media Group, – at present with activities in more than 20 countries on three continents.
The media usage is rapidly changing and the media scene is in turmoil. The strong position the traditional media enjoyed in the last century is now challenged by numerous new media platforms, as the media users now have access to all accessible information where , when and how they may want it.
The changes in media usage make the old business models unsustainable, – and media companies around the world are now scrambling for a variety of new business models that may help secure future journalistic quality – adapted to a new media environment – and the needs of democratic societies.
The relaunch of www.tinius.com is meant to try to keep an eye on what is happening in the media developments around the world, – and the impact these developments will have on the on the development of the media outlets of tomorrow. This website will try to give insight in the changes in media usage, in how the developments of new media platforms may make the readers, users – and advertisers find these platforms so useful, so relevant that they also in the future will contribute to the numerous new business models that will make the media continue to play a vital role in society.
www.tinius.com will be updated partly in scandinavian and in english languages, – and part of the content will be solely in one of the languages. As a substantial part of all media development will take part outside of Scandinavia, a lot of the information about these developments will be communicated in the original languages.
Eivind Thomsen:
September 27. 2010
