ANDRI KASNECI A2 CNN Has Reenergized Journalism in Albania

By Rudina Hoxha

“I believe that being part of the CNN family gives us a unique advantage in the Albanian media landscape as we can draw on CNN’s global reach, expertise, and reputation for excellence.”

Of course, the fight for quality is an endless one.

“My CEO role at A2 CNN is both a privilege and a challenge. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and I am committed to making A2 CNN the go-to source for news and information in Albania.”

Andri Kasneci, the CEO of A2 the exclusive CNN news channel affiliate for Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, sat down for an exclusive conversation with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE about his vision and mission at A2 CNN, his plans to grow it through innovation and a well-selected staff and his efforts in creating a culture of transparency and collaboration.

With a background in a variety of industries, including financial services, construction, media, and information technology, Andri embodies unique perspectives and skills which make him a fit for challenging environments.

Full interview below:

How do you feel in the position of the CEO of the most credible and well-known news channel, A2 CNN, in our country –Albania?

As the CEO of A2 the exclusive CNN news channel affiliate for Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, I feel excited, motivated, and proud to lead such a prestigious and credible media initiative. Being at the forefront of delivering accurate and timely news to the people of Albania is a huge responsibility, and my team and I are determined to uphold the high standards of journalism that CNN is known for internationally.

As the CEO, I am constantly looking for innovative ways to bring the latest news and insights to our audience. I am always on the lookout for new technologies and platforms that can help us reach and engage with our audience more effectively. At the same time, I am also keenly aware of the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity and impartiality, and ensuring that our reporting is always fair, accurate, and objective.

I believe that being part of the CNN family gives us a unique advantage in the Albanian media landscape, as we can draw on CNN’s global reach, expertise, and reputation for excellence. I am proud to be leading a team of dedicated and talented journalists, editors, and producers, some of the best in country, who are committed to delivering the highest quality news and analysis to our viewers. Of course, the fight for quality is an endless one.

Overall, my CEO role at A2 CNN is both a privilege and a challenge. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and I am committed to making A2 CNN the go-to source for news and information in Albania.

What prompted the move from the United States to Albania and then to the media world? How much has influenced your career in this regard?

I returned to Albania in June of 2010 after 5 years of experience in the investment banking industry in USA. I saw the move as a quest for a better opportunity, a personal growth challenge, and a change of environment. Also, my family was an influence since we have always been close to each other.

I didn’t only move from one country to another, I also transitioned from one industry to the other driven by the desire for new challenges, interests, or skills. Throughout my career, I’ve gained extensive experience in a variety of industries, including financial services, construction, media, and information technology. I have managed large teams of professionals, developed, and implement strategic plans, and delivered results - while serving in various roles.

Overall, my experiences in different environments and industries have contributed to my personal and professional growth and provided me with unique perspectives and skills that I can apply in my current career.

What is your vision and ambition for A2 CNN after taking the helm? How do you make the staff to follow and implement your vision?

My vision and ambition for the company is to continue to be a leading news organization that provides accurate, fair, and balanced news coverage to our audience. My goal is to further enhance our current offerings, expand our reach in Kosovo and North Macedonia, and strengthen our brand as a reliable source of news and information in the entire region.

To make my staff follow and implement my vision, I would first encourage them to be open to change and innovation, as we must adapt to the evolving media landscape. As important as it is to share our vision by communicating clearly and consistently, it is also important to train everyone for the future and provide them with the needed technological infrastructure.

Furthermore, I strongly believe in creating a culture of transparency and collaboration, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and feedback. By fostering an environment of trust, respect, and creativity, we can work together towards achieving our shared goals and ensure the success of A2 CNN.

Was in your plans that A2 CNN would grow so fast or did it come as a surprise?

When we launched A2 CNN our goal was to provide accurate, fair, and balanced news coverage to our audience. We identified a gap in the market for a news organization that prioritized journalistic integrity and unbiased reporting, and with the help of CNN we were confident that we could fill that gap.

We hired some of the most talented journalists in the country, and implemented state-of-the-art technology, and rigorous editorial standards.

As far as editorial achievements, from day one we set the standard for live reporting. We followed the news and reported them live from the field. We covered live events and breaking news stories, like the student and opposition protests in 20182019, the local and general parliamentary elections. We were the only ones reporting the 2019 earthquake live for CNN, BBC, and other major international news outlets. Our team worked effortlessly around the clock during the pandemic to bring in the latest developments. Whether it was in Albania, Kosovo, or North Macedonia, we were there with every breaking major news story. We covered our country’s important government meetings with European leaders. We were there, everywhere, every time, and that is how we earned the trust of your audience and gained a reputation as a leading news organization in Albania.

Of course, as with any new venture, there were some unexpected challenges and opportunities that arose over the past five years, like the time when one of TV crews walked into a refugee camp at Al-Hawl and we lost contact, or when we experienced technical difficulties and couldn’t broadcast for a few hours – they were all scary moments.

I believe that, ultimately, the key factor in our success was the fact that we were composed-professional, we adapted, and we navigated challenges, while remaining committed to our core values and vision for A2 CNN. So, I can easily say that we planned and worked hard for it.

To what extent, has the competition driven to you to be innovative in your approaches? Do you think you have revolutionized the way of making news and transmitting it in Albania?

We are 5 years young. Before we launched, we did research which identified a gap in the market for a news organization that prioritized journalistic integrity and unbiased reporting. The approach differentiated our programing right from day one as it helped us attract top talent. Hiring good people made the difference with regards to the competition, and that was an achievement we are all proud of at A2 CNN.

We invested in training for our staff and offered them the best tools for their job. Our staff was highly motivated after the trainings as they saw more opportunities for personal and professional growth. From a management point of view, training was key to talent recruitment, retention, and beating the competition.

I strongly believe that our channel has reenergized journalism in Albania. Through our talent selection process, our innovative approaches, and commitment to accurate and fair reporting, we have revolutionized the way news is made and transmitted. Our focus on storytelling has allowed us to connect with our audience in a meaningful way, and our state-of-the-art technology has enabled us to deliver news faster and more effectively than ever before.

Characterized by a sharp business background, where do you see yourself in the future?

As I mentioned earlier my career has been influenced by my experience in various fields, which has given me a broad skill set, including expertise in news media development.

I strongly believe that technological innovations will favor those with a broader skill set, and those who continuously strive to improve themselves and their abilities, so I plan to stay up to date with industry trends and new technologies. I embrace change and uncertainty as opportunities for growth. My goal is to leverage my skills and

I am grateful for every chance that I was given, for every person who trusted in me, for all those who supported me. Of course, I had a lot of help on the way - from investors, managers, mentors, colleagues, friends, and finally, my family whom I owe a lot of free time.

I am a member of a private not for profit organization of young leaders, called Lidhja. This organization promotes the exchange of values and best practices in work, society, and family. I am grateful to them as well for fostering a fraternal spirit, and for being an unstoppable mechanism for personal and social development.

I owe a special message of appreciation to Mrs. Rudina Hoxha, the Editor in Chief of TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE, who came up with the idea of this interview - thank you for making me see another side of myself.