Mediahuis buys stake in creator platform Kessel

What's the deal? MediahuisDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the Belgian owner of the Irish IndependentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, has acquired a stake in KesselDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a French digital-publishing platform that helps journalists and content creators build online brands. The deal value was undisclosed.

What does Kessel do? The platform serves media brands emerging outside traditional structures, helping them reach audiences through newsletters, podcasts, video channels, communities, events, and social-first formats. Its creators span business and economy, ecology, sport, culture, and food and drink.

What's the endgame? Mediahuis said the investment will help Kessel accelerate growth while preserving its independence of authors and editorial teams, editorial excellence, and innovation in news media business models. Kessel's studio model brings together publishing, monetisation, advertising sales, production, and talent development for new and aspiring brands.

Why it matters: Liesbeth Nizet, Mediahuis' chief future audiences and growth, said the deal supports independent, high-quality journalism that reflects changing audience habits. "Entrepreneurs who create specialised, independent media brands and maintain a close connection with their audiences have an essential role to play in this evolution," she said.

Co-founders Laure Goudiard and Adrien Labastire said a new generation of media brands is forming around journalists, experts, and creators. "Together with Mediahuis, we want to give them the means to become the leading news brands of tomorrow," they said.

The signal: Legacy publishers are placing bets on the creator economy as audiences shift from institutional brands toward individual voices. For Mediahuis, backing Kessel is a hedge on where news consumption is headed — and who will own it.

Read more: independent.ie

Image credit: Martin Cathrae