Having launched in January of 2017, kumparan was co-founded and backed by some of the most recognizable names in Indonesia’s media and internet space.
kumparan’s platform offers an intuitive experience of online news and social media tools custom-made for Indonesians. kumparan users can consume stories written collaboratively by the site’s bullpen of 100+ of journalists, see trending stories, and insert comments just like any other online media.
But what makes kumparan different is the fact that it is also a social media platform. The site acts as a dynamic online newsroom where regular users can also become news providers. kumparan users can write stories and follow other users within the platform. Stories are presented in feeds and timelines just like other social media sites but users may also choose to follow a variety of topics and profiles. They will also only see content relevant to their interests in their feeds.
kumparan now have millions of monthly unique visitors, having onboarded several local media outlets into its platform. Some more media will join kumparan’s platform in the coming months.
kumparan has also been able to quickly gain the trust of news and policy makers, says the company. Government officials, experts, politicians, and celebrities have produced content on the platform already. This has thus far served to validate the team’s vision.
Rating Reviews
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Pros: I felt fairly secure as a Content Creator here. The company has a strong presence in the Indonesian media industry, so that helps. Our Jakarta office had a good vibe.
Cons: Job security can feel a bit up and down depending on project shifts. We saw some unexpected team restructuring during my time, which was a bit unsettling for those in content roles.
Advice to Management: Try to be more transparent about upcoming organizational changes. It really helps morale and reduces anxiety among staff when things shift.
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Pros: As a Junior Software Engineer, I got to work on lots of interesting features for their digital media platform. You learn a ton by doing in this startup environment, which is great for building skills quickly. There's good exposure to modern tech stacks if you seek it out.
Cons: Career progression isn't always clear, especially for tech roles. It feels like formal career growth paths are missing sometimes, so you really have to push for promotions or new responsibilities yourself. Sometimes, the next step isn't obvious.
Advice to Management: Focus on creating clearer career development frameworks and mentorship programs. This would really help junior engineers see a more defined path for growth within the company and boost overall morale.
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Pros: Some direct managers are really supportive, especially for new Journalist roles. They let you take initiative, which is good for learning in the fast-paced Jakarta office environment. We had decent autonomy on story assignments.
Cons: Top leadership can feel a bit disconnected from daily operations. There's often a lack of clear strategic direction, making it tough to know where projects are truly headed in the digital media industry. Decision-making can be slow or inconsistent, which is frustrating in the daily news cycle.
Advice to Management: Focus on clearer communication from senior leadership regarding company vision and strategy. More consistent decision-making would really help everyone on the ground, especially in the editorial team.
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What is the typical management style like at kumparan, and how does it impact the daily working culture for content creators in Jakarta?
Management at kumparan generally fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging team input and open communication. This approach helps cultivate a dynamic working culture where content creators feel empowered to share ideas and contribute to editorial decisions.
What is kumparan's policy on remote work for roles like content writers and engineers in Jakarta?
kumparan generally operates with a hybrid work model, allowing employees to work from home a few days a week. For roles based in Jakarta, this means a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, depending on team needs and specific job functions.
What is the management style like at kumparan, and how does it impact the day-to-day working culture for content creators in Jakarta?
kumparan's management style tends to be collaborative, fostering an environment where feedback is encouraged. This approach generally supports a dynamic working culture, particularly for roles like content creators, allowing for autonomy while maintaining alignment with editorial goals.