Media managers are being offered free strategy consultations at the WAN-IFRA congress in India later this month. All are welcome to apply for a 30-minute media clinic with priority being given to those from emerging markets.

The clinics were first offered on a trial basis at last year's World Association of Newspapers forum in Goteborg, Sweden. Several took part and benefitted from short consultants about the issues they faced. Now the clinics are official and part of the WAN-IFRA programme for the annual congress in Hyderabad, held between 30 November and 3 December.

Taking a media company's pulse The clinics are free of charge and limited in number. They are intended to work in the same way as a does a visit to a doctor's surgery. Two consultants will be on hand for 30-minute consultations during which they will meet those needing help and listen to their problems. The consultant will then offer advice, and a facilitator from WAN-IFRA will take notes. The client will then be given an action plan to take away with them.

The clinics are aimed at the decision-makers of independent media organisations in transition and post-conflict countries, developing countries and areas where freedom of expression is under threat. They have been arranged in order to offer practical, tried and tested solutions, which can be implemented by media managers and senior editorial staff. Those attending will be offered guidance on editorial and business strategies, including creating converged newsrooms and producing content to multiple devices.

There will be the option of a free follow-up three months after the session. The consultants will also be available for some support via email.

Both consultants will be giving their time free of charge and expect no payment or gain in return for their advice. Note: The consultants running the clinics are Claus Sølvsteen and David Brewer, the founder of Media Helping Media.

If you are intending to visit the congress in Hyderabad and want to book one of the clinic slots, please contact Kajsa Törnroth at ktornroth (at) wan (dot) asso (dot) fr. More about the clinics here.