CNN is launching a new global event series – Global Perspectives. The first event is focused on Africa and will take place in London on 3 November.
The event will address Africa’s role in a changing world. What new markets and innovations will spring out of the continent in the coming years? Business leaders and politicians in Africa and beyond will come together to speak to CNN journalists about what the future holds for Africa.
Content from the conference will appear across CNN’s platforms, with a special show airing on CNN International.
Further editions of Global Perspectives will take on different regions, and different industries.
CNN chairman and CEO Sir Mark Thompson will open the event. Speakers so far include:
- Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general, World Trade Organisation
- Dr. Mo Ibrahim, founder & chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation
- Clare Akamanzi, CEO, NBA Africa
- Alex Okosi, managing director, Africa, Google
- Nadia Calviño, president, European Investment Bank
- H.E. Javier Niño Pérez, Ambassador of the European Union to the African Union
CNN says the event model offers new ways to work with commercial partners while producing high-impact content. “It’s a multi-platform opportunity,” said James Hunt, senior vice-president at CNN International Commercial.
The inaugural event will be held at the new Chancery Rosewood Hotel – one of the first events at the new Mayfair venue. Chairman Mark Thompson will give opening remarks. CNN journalists including Christiane Amanpour and Richard Quest will moderate sessions.
Afreximbank has signed as the first sponsor.
Ellana Lee, group senior vice-president, GM APAC, and global head of productions at CNN, said: “We’re living in a time of rapid, dynamic change … Global Perspectives is designed to gather those shaping change, facilitating smart, meaningful conversations with CNN’s outstanding journalists.”
Lee continued: “When influential people have something to say, they come to CNN to say it – and we’re excited to bring the knowledge … of these speakers to this series of events.”
A wider trend – media companies expanding into events?
Many major news organisations have expanded their live events divisions in recent years.
The Times launched a Tech Summit in 2022. The Independent debuted a climate event in 2024. The Evening Standard added a workplace conference called The Office. FT Live recently acquired event organiser Invisso, adding a host of new events to its portfolio.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s events division significantly outperformed the company’s core business in 2023. While overall revenue grew 3%, events grew 48%. Equally, The Economist reported ‘record revenue and strong margins’ for its events division FT Live in 2024/25.
The high-value audiences that news brands attract make events particularly attractive to premium sponsors. Will more major media companies continue to expand their live events business in coming years?
