As Octopus Newsroom celebrates its 25th anniversary, I’m thrilled to have the chance, as the new Marketing Manager, to sit down with our CEO, Petr Stokuč, for an exclusive interview. Joining the Octopus team has been an exciting journey, and being able to dive into the story of our company right as we hit this major milestone feels incredibly special. I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned about Octopus’s incredible “voyage” over the past quarter-century, and some sweet pictures that Petr´s offered for this interview, for example the featured photo where he is with his wife, his casual moments on holidays, or team photos. With the company’s participation at IBC 2024 just around the corner, Petr and I discuss the challenges, innovations, and strategies that have shaped Octopus Newsroom into the global leader it is today.
Reflecting On the Journey
MK: Looking back over the past 25 years, what are some of the most significant challenges Octopus Newsroom has faced, Petr, and how did the company overcome them to become a leader in newsroom technology?
PS: One of the most significant challenges we faced in the early years was gaining the trust of international clients. As – at the time – a small company originating from Central Europe, it was challenging to convince major broadcasters worldwide to trust our technology. Another challenge we encountered were the technological limitations of the time, particularly with browsers. Our system was the first one designed to run in the browser, which was innovative for the time, but as our product evolved, we began to hit the boundaries of what those early browsers could handle. So, around 2010, we decided to rewrite the entire system in Java, which allowed us to push past those limitations and continue delivering a powerful solution to our clients. Ironically, at this IBC, we are introducing a new generation of Octopus system, and guess what – it is running in the modern browser. One might say, on the client side, we made a full circle.
MK: Has Octopus Newsroom become what you envisioned, or has it overcome your initial visions and dreams?
PS: Octopus Newsroom has absolutely overgrown everything I’ve ever envisioned. When I started, there wasn’t a detailed plan or a blueprint for the future. What I had were ideas, a passion for innovation, and a deep belief in the potential of our technology. I could never have imagined the scale and success we’ve achieved today. It was less about following a strict roadmap and more about letting that passion guide us, adapting to challenges, and seizing opportunities as they came. The journey has been incredibly organic; things just fell into place and evolved smoothly beyond anything I initially dreamed of. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come; it makes me truly happy and grateful.
Key Milestones and Achievements
MK: Can you highlight some key milestones and achievements that have defined Octopus Newsroom’s growth and success over the last quarter-century? Which of those milestones has shaped the company into what it is today?
PS: Sure! When I think back on our journey, it’s amazing to see how it all started and evolved. One of the first big milestones was our installation at TV Nova in 1999. That was our first real step into the industry, and it laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Another memorable moment was when we installed our system at TV Today (AajTak) in India. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The experience taught us so much, and AajTak became the most successful channel in India for quite some time. That partnership really put us on the map in the region and opened up so many doors.A third major milestone came with our work for Al Jazeera English. The volume of work and the need for new features pushed our system beyond the capabilities of running in a browser. This challenge led us to rewrite the system in Java, a decision that significantly enhanced our product’s performance and scalability.Additionally, opening our branches in Thailand and the US marked our expansion into key international markets.
Innovation and Technology
MK: Octopus Newsroom has been at the forefront of technological innovation in the media industry. Can you share some insights into the most impactful innovations introduced by the company and how they have transformed newsroom operations?
PS: We’ve always been driven by a passion for innovation and making things easier for journalists. One of the biggest shifts we introduced was being the first to run entirely in a browser. That was a game-changer—it meant that journalists could work from anywhere, not just the newsroom, giving them a lot more flexibility. Then, in 2010, we released the first mobile app for NRCS, which was a big step forward. It allowed reporters and editors to stay connected and manage stories on the go, which is pretty crucial in the fast-paced world of news. Lately, we’ve been exploring AI, using it to smooth workflows and speed up content creation. These innovations have not just changed how newsrooms work but also helped shape the industry’s direction.
Adapting to Industry Changes and Trends
MK: What trends and practices in news production do you see as critical, Petr, and how does Octopus Newsroom address them?
PS: News production is a rapidly evolving landscape, and I believe trends that have emerged over the past few years and practices that have been around for some time now will both continue to shape the industry. I’d name, for example: AI Integration is a big deal now. It´‘s a field we want to explore and experiment with more. Our flagship product, Octopus News Production System, offers several standout features that leverage AI tools, for example, for text processing, enabling quick summarization of lengthy content for various platforms, and a fact-checking feature that verifies information against public resources, boosting the credibility of the news produced. Another one is Multi-Platform Content Distribution, as these days, audiences consume news across various platforms – TV, social media, websites, and mobile apps. Octopus enables this seamless process from a single interface. Hybrid work models have accelerated the need for tools that allow Collaborative and Remote Workflow, and Octopus knows how to support this through both cloud-based and on-prem solutions. Also, for many companies, budgets tighten for various reasons, and Cost Efficiency plays a role in choosing the NRCS. That’s why Octopus also offers an affordable OPEX model next to the traditional CAPEX. And, of course, Focus on Video, Visual, Personalized, and Interactive Content that engages people dominate news consumption. That’s why Octopus is designed to support a story-centric approach, enabling video and multimedia content integrations into news production.
People of Octopus Newsroom
MK: Over the past 25 years, how have you cultivated a strong team culture at Octopus Newsroom, and what core values have been integral to maintaining a cohesive and motivated team?
PS: Warm relationships are at the heart of our culture. We understand the importance of strong team connections, and we’ve made it a priority to create a supportive and collaborative work environment. People do not hold back from expressing their opinions and coming up with fresh ideas. We believe that great ideas can come from anyone, and we’ve always been open to listening and encouraging innovation from all corners of the company and, of course, customers! We’ve never been a typical 9-to-5 kind of place; I’m happy to say passion and a shared sense of purpose are core to our company’s identity. We’ve always been lucky to attract talented, enthusiastic people who are passionate about what we do. Together, we’ve built a culture that values innovation, teamwork, and customer satisfaction—the very foundation upon which our company has thrived for 25 years. I want to take this opportunity to thank them all.
Vision for the Future and IBC 2024
MK: As we celebrate 25 years of Octopus Newsroom, what are your visions and goals for the next decade? How do you see the company evolving to meet the future needs of newsrooms worldwide?
PS: Looking ahead, my vision for Octopus Newsroom is all about staying true to what’s made us successful: innovation, flexibility, and customer satisfaction. And I also want to ensure that creativity and positivity are at the heart of everything we do. While we’ve never been a company that follows a rigid plan, we’ve always embraced new opportunities as they emerge, and that will continue to be our approach moving forward. One big area we’re excited about is diving deeper into AI and finding the right balance between automation, the human touch and responsible, ethical usage. This is crucial in journalism. We believe AI has the potential to enhance news production in ways we’re only beginning to explore, from improving efficiency to generating new forms of content. For example, we’re excited about developing voice models that can narrate videos and reports, which could revolutionize news production and consumption.
MK: What will Octopus Newsroom showcase at IBC this year, Petr?
PS: As we are all about innovation, this year, you can look forward to features like a no-code workflow designer, new AI integrations, full collaboration between desktop and web clients, and so much more!
But I’d rather say, come and see for yourself, have a drink with me at booth 6.C12, sit down and talk a while! BOOK A MEETING
MK: Thank you, Petr, for sharing these invaluable insights! It’s been inspiring to hear firsthand about the challenges overcome and the vision that continues to drive the success of Octopus Newsroom. Here’s to the next 25 years of innovation!
