From Blog to Bureau: Founding NK News and Building a Korea-Focused Media Company

How do you go from writing a blog in your spare time to running a subscription-based media company trusted by governments, businesses, and academics worldwide?

In this lecture, Chad O’Carroll shares the inside story of launching and growing a media business focused on the Korean Peninsula. Drawing from over a decade of experience, he reflects on the challenges of building credibility in a niche geopolitical space, the business model pivots that kept the company sustainable, and the lessons learned about hiring, networking, and building a strong newsroom culture.

Ideal for students interested in journalism, international affairs, or entrepreneurship, this session offers practical insights into navigating uncertain career paths — and turning a personal passion into a globally recognized product.

Chad O'Carroll is the founder of NK News, NK Pro, Korea Pro, and the related holding company Korea Risk Group. In addition to being the group's CEO, O'Carroll is a frequent writer and commentator about the Koreas, having written about the two nations since 2010. He has visited the DPR Korea multiple times, worked and lived in Washington, D.C. with a focus on peninsula issues, and has lived in South Korea since 2016.

When?: April 28 (Mon), 2025, 16:45–18:15 (CET; UTC+2)

Where?: OAW Seminar Room, Entrance 5.4, AAKH Campus, Spitalgasse 2, 1090 Vienna

(map available at https://ecos.univie.ac.at/contact/)

The lecture will be streamed via Zoom. Nevertheless, we highly encourage you to participate in person. Please make sure to sign up for the guest lecture (online or offline). See our event page for more information.