David Grech Urpani – Instagram & TikTok Editor

Favourite Piece Of Content: Our New TikTok Series (In Malta We Don’t Say, Hot or Not, The LESA Officer, MGT Finalists’ Takeovers, COVID…)

Why: I still remember joining Lovin Malta four years ago as part of a ragtag bunch of misfits. Over the years, the company quickly grew into an award-winning media trailblazer, but 2020 helped prove that we’re only getting started. With our Instagram account continuing to grow and viral TikTok videos now joining the ranks, this year was all about going back to the fun and edgy attitude that started this whole behemoth off. Being a part of this special team is equal parts rewarding and rejuvenating – after all, I did just turn 30 this year!

@lovinmaltaofficialwhatdoyouwantfromme.mp4 😩 ##lovinmalta ##covid19malta ##mask ##robertabela ##tiktokmalta ##politicalmemes

♬ original sound – Lovin Malta

David Grech – Co-owner and Chief Content Officer

Favourite Piece of Content: First “Xarabank Special” Debate Online in collaboration with LM.

Why: Lovin Malta had been making the shift to becoming a video-first content company throughout the year but the fact that we managed to successfully produce, market, deliver and sell the “Xarabank special” and deliver it to an audience of over 130,000 viewers within two days of the show being taken off air by the national broadcaster really embodies the versatility and impact of Lovin Malta and all its team members.

Johann Caruana – Video Content Executive

Favourite Piece(s) of content: All of Lovin Malta’s Documentaries

Why: The truth hurts. But sometimes it’s inspirational, scary, sad, funny or anywhere in between. Documentaries are the go-to for all those roller coaster of emotions. You understand and get to know people’s way of thinking.

Winning an IGM award for Best Specialised Journalism with ‘My Life Is Pastizzi’ made us understand that documentaries are the way moving forward for people to properly experience it all.

During these last couple of months, I had the opportunity to document the lives of two very impactful and inspirational people, Neil Agius and Roberta Metsola. ‘The Long Swim Home’ was an emotional journey that helped people understand how dedicated Maltese people are and ‘The First Vice’ showed people how the size our country shouldn’t limit us to think big

Julian Bonnici – Editor-in-Chief

Favourite piece(s) of content: Features on Anton Rea, Shyli and Jordan, and Arnold Sciberras

Why: It’s hard to pick between all of these three amazing features. But I think they all showcase exactly what Lovin Malta is all about – covering topics that could be considered regardless of the controversy with the utmost respect for anyone involved. At the end of the day, it’s all about bringing the best unheard stories on the island to our audiences.

Tim Diacono – News Strategist

Favourite piece of content: Standards Commissioner instructs ministers to stop using public funds on their personal Facebook pages

Why: This investigation was requested by Lovin Malta after we noticed two years ago that public funds were being blatantly misused to boost the following of individual politicians. Official ministry pages, including the famous saħħa page, have since been set up to promote the work of ministries.

Lovin Malta’s work directly prompted quite a huge culture change in the public sector and I’m proud that we’re at the forefront of these kinds of discussions.

Johnathan Cilia – Deputy Editor

Favourite piece of content: Lovin Malta Meets: Adrian Zammit

Why: Magic was bound to happen when you sit three totally different Maltese people in a small room with a table full of pastizzi and sausage rolls. From Adrian Zammit predicting COVID-19, to seeing Goffy the bulldog in her finest form – and racking up a combined 250,000 views between Facebook and Youtube – this video introduced the over-the-top and nuanced legend that il-Bebbuxu really is to the wider world.

Ally Stivala – Creative Executive

Favourite piece of content: Kaxxaturi

Why: It talks about important issues, which are sometimes complicated to understand, in a very engaging manner.

Rachel Ripard – Creative Executive/Office Manager

Favourite piece of content: Taħlita Perfetta

Why: I love this series of videos as this is a perfect example of how sponsored content can be extremely engaging when paired with the correct client and idea. The idea of Taħlita Perfetta is not only entertaining to watch but works towards breaking apart stereotypes and begins to chip away at the country’s institutionalised racism. The subject matter is tackled with subtlety and a dose of reality as the Lovin Malta team was welcomed into various non-Maltese persons’ homes as they have the opportunity to speak their truth on life in Malta.

The content has been very eye-opening to be a part of, and having a platform such as ours which speaks openly about these people gives me much joy. The chance to ignite a positive conversation about immigration in Malta is important and I believe this series has done just that.

Also, they make yummy food in the process.

Andrew Farrugia – Chief Technical Officer

Favourite piece of content: COVID Calls

Why: This series shows how Lovin Malta can be agile and very relevant. During the first weeks of the pandemic hitting Malta, COVID Calls was a great resource for our audience to better understand what’s happening. The fact that we invited key players from different sectors meant, these calls were very relatable to a broad audience.

Sam Vassallo – Journalist 

Favourite piece of content: Being leaders on sexual health coverage

Why: I’m so proud to have contributed to an issue that’s been pushed under the carpet for so long. This is what I love about Lovin Malta – we’re ready to give everything proper treatment – whether its the latest political meme or an under-covered yet imminent social issue like this one.

Andrea Urso – Video content creator

Favourite piece of content: Kaxxaturi – Il-Kriżi tal-Moneyval

Why: Challenges well-established institutions and is something no other journalistic media company would dare touch.

Matthew Baldacchino – Head of Digital

Favourite piece of content: Collaborating with Xarabank

Why: Looking back at three years of Lovin, and seeing why I wanted to be a part of a company that gave the middle finger to traditional content, something other media houses took for granted, it’s so heartening to see big names like Xarabank coming to us to promote them and involve themselves in the online space

Lisa Darmanin Demajo – Sales Executive

Favourite piece of content: Taħlita Perfetta

Why: It bridges the gap between food, which is my first love, and the issue of migration which is very close to my heart. One of the reasons I was drawn to Lovin Malta is because we fight the good fight and spread a message of diversity and acceptance and stand up to injustice. Very proud and grateful to be able to associate myself with this movement.

JP Azzopardi – Journalist

Favourite piece of content: Our work on animal’s rights issues

Why: Following coverage on both sides of the divide, we were able to get a more in-depth look at this continuing issue in Malta. This all culminated with Malta getting a new Animal Welfare Commissioner, a step in the right direction in protecting animal rights in Malta.

Here’s to an even more exciting 2021! Tag someone who needs to catch up on these awesome pieces of content!