Winston Utomo: A Young Indonesian Entrepreneur Who Masterminds the Future of Media and Entertainment
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17 November 2023 21:28 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is a nation brimming with high-potential young leaders poised to shape global shifts. However, effective leadership transcends mere technical prowess or raw potential; it hinges on positive character, an optimistic outlook, and an unwavering focus on execution.
Winston Utomo stands as an exemplary leader in this regard. He is the founder and CEO of IDN Media, a pioneering media platform tailored for Indonesia's Millennials and Gen Z that has over 80 million Monthly Active Users (MAU) with a vision to democratize information and bring positive changes to Indonesian society. His life narrative is captivating, revealing how his journey played a pivotal role in nurturing a growth mindset, leading IDN Media to its present success, and becoming a wellspring of inspiration for IDN Media's dedicated employees, known as "Timmys," as well as Millennials and Gen Z across Indonesia.
Childhood Years in the City of Heroes, Surabaya
Winston Utomo, born on November 23, 1990, in Surabaya, Indonesia, is the eldest of two siblings. He spent his early years in Surabaya, the capital of East Java province, renowned for its genuine patriotism and deep-rooted love for the homeland. The absence of Jakarta's bustling metropolis in his upbringing forged a strong connection to regional values and a relentless spirit of determination.
After completing his secondary education at SMA Petra 1 Surabaya, Winston's curiosity about the wider world led him to pursue studies at the University of Southern California (USC) – Marshall School of Business in Los Angeles, USA. There, he earned his Bachelor of Science (S1) degree. Following a stint at St. John Capital in San Francisco, Winston pursued postgraduate studies (S2) at the prestigious Ivy League institution, Columbia University, New York, ultimately obtaining a Master of Science degree.
A Pivotal Night of Inspiration
Winston Utomo: A Young Indonesian Entrepreneur Who Masterminds the Future of Media and Entertainment
Post-graduation, Winston moved to Singapore and worked at one of the best technology companies in the world, Google. In the beginning, entrepreneurship wasn't part of his plans. His aspirations were directed toward technology, media, and entertainment, and he wanted to do it in Google.
Yet, a night in Singapore in 2014 changed everything. While walking home from the office, Winston pondered, "Millennial and Z generations constitute the majority of Indonesia's population. Why is there no media dedicated specifically to these two demographics? How can Indonesia emerge as a global economic powerhouse? Why is Jakarta the epicenter of all things in Indonesia? How can we bridge information disparities and provide equal access to everyone in Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua?". Encouraged by these questions, Winston quickly returned to his apartment and wrote his ideas on a piece of paper with excitement. He was so eager that he immediately turned on his laptop to put his written ideas into action.
From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Winston pulled an all-nighter in his apartment, birthing the first version of IDN Times, initially named Indonesian Times. On Sunday, June 8, 2014, IDN Media was born.
