Isabel with the Editor-in-Chief of Bloomberg News, Matt Winkler.
I have to mention that one of the best parts of studying at Sciences Po is that we get to attend an amazing range of public lectures. Thanks to the central location of the university and of course to its prestige, we are blessed with the access to some of the most influential people in the world. Matthew Winkler, the Editor-In-Chief of Bloomberg News paid a visit to our campus on the 2 September.
It was the inaugural lecture for the School of Journalism here at the university. Starting as a journalist for the Wall Street Journal back in the late 1980s, Winkler gave a vivid account of how Bloomberg came to be what it is today and how he got involved with the business. From the phone call which he received from Michael Bloomberg in 1990, asking him what it takes to get in the news business, the legal battles which the corporation has faced since its genesis and ultimately to the guiding principles of the business, he told the story in front of an attentive audience.
As one would expect, it was an inspirational and extremely well-delivered speech.
Financial journalism, as I understand, is a fast-paced, exciting and competitive field. Along with the compelling account of the development of this mighty news corporation, I walked away from the event knowing the 5 things which supposedly set Bloomberg apart from its competitors.
According to the mastermind of the electronic newspaper, you must adhere to the five f’s in order to succeed in the business. (Yes, it is not what you think!) It starts with being the most Factual word, the Fastest word, the First word, the Final word and ultimately the Future word.
Publishing data quickly and accurately seems to be a recurring theme in Winkler’s speech. What’s more, by ‘marrying data to prose’, the organization also offers perspective, analysis and ultimately provides a definitive verdict on the state of world markets.
As an avid journalist myself, I was truly inspired by Winkler’s vision and values. Do imagine my reaction when I found out that all Sciences Po students were entitled to a free copy of his book, The Bloomberg Way. I picked up my copy from the giant cardboard box sitting at the back of the lecture room and darted straight to the man in the spotlight.
He signed my book. It reads, ‘Dear Isabel, The best is yet to come! Best Matt Winkler’.
ISABEL LAI 
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