E&P Exclusives
“Helping local media companies discover new and sustainable business models” is the sole focus of the Local Media Association. The Local Media Foundation is a charitable trust and “serves as the innovation and transformation affiliate of LMA.” Together, they are making a concerted effort to transform legacy media business models for the digital age and assist local media entrepreneurs to establish their credibility and build a loyal audience.
The U.S. press is in crisis. Beyond the market pressures that have for years now carved newsrooms hollow, external threats — of a physical, rhetorical and legal nature — abound. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker found 48 cases of journalists being detained or arrested in 2024 alone. The Tracker also chronicles incidents of assaults on journalists. Another growing concern for news media publishers is the threat of legal action.
The Independent has defied the odds, transforming from a U.K. broadsheet into a thriving digital powerhouse with a growing U.S. audience. While many news organizations struggle with trust, engagement, and revenue, CEO Christian Broughton says The Independent is breaking through by staying true to its core mission: delivering fearless, independent journalism without political bias. With U.S. readership up 85% in 2024 and bold plans to expand its editorial and commercial teams, The Independent is proving that high-quality, agenda-free news still has a place in the digital age.
With the backing of an exceptional board of directors and support from generous funding sources, Mark Zusman, editor and co-owner of Willamette Week, Portland’s alternative newspaper, launched the Oregon Journalism Project in fall 2024. Its mission is more investigative reporting from a highly regarded team of journalists on issues important to all Oregonians. All the OJP’s reporting will be available at no cost to a network of local Oregon publications — currently numbering 25.
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Industry News
“POLITICO has been the subject of debate on X this week. Some of it has been misinformed, and some of it has been flat-out false. Let’s set the record straight.” — POLITICO CEO Goli Sheikholeslami and Editor-in-Chief John F. Harris
Hearst Connecticut Media Group has finalized a deal to acquire the Republican-American newspaper in Waterbury (Connecticut).
Cloud adoption and streaming technology investments lead broadcast industry priorities, while concerns about artificial intelligence and workflow challenges persist, according to NewscastStudio’s annual industry survey.
Gray Media will broadcast Super Bowl LIX using High Dynamic Range (HDR) at all their NEXTGEN TV FOX affiliates, allowing viewers in eight markets to watch the biggest game of the year with improved contrast between the brightest and darkest colors on the screen.
Cox Media Group announced Mark Shecterle has been named the vice president amd market manager of CMG San Antonio Radio, effective Feb. 24.
“I never wanted to be a writer. I was an information designer. Becoming a columnist, like so many things in my career, was a bit of a fluke. As I end this column, I’d like to share the strange way that it began.” — Charles M. Blow
The Maine Trust for Local News, already reeling from a string of executive resignations, is now losing the publisher of one of its largest papers.
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E&P Partner News
Join us for an exclusive live broadcast where we’ll dive deeper into the remarkable success story of Canyon Media’s Best Of program, which generated over $600,000 in new revenue using the Elite Insights platform. Learn how their team implemented a turnkey solution to drive substantial revenue growth while streamlining their operations.
Five years ago, Column set out to revolutionize the cumbersome process of publishing public and legal notices, and today, their self-serve platform is delivering results. With intuitive features like flexible document uploads, instant proofs, and real-time price transparency, Column has simplified workflows for over 850 publications and 4,500 organizations, helping law firms, government agencies, and businesses save time and reduce frustration. By offering free training and innovative tools, Column has boosted newspaper staff efficiency by 270% and allowed legal reps to handle up to 67 daily notices, earning praise for transforming an outdated industry standard.
The Defender Network has transformed its newsroom efficiency and audience engagement with Nota, an AI-powered tool tailored for modern journalism. Clyde Jiles, Strategic Alliance Manager at the Defender Network, shared how Nota helped cut content production time from 90 minutes to just 15, allowing their small team to focus on impactful storytelling. With features like tone customization and SEO optimization, Nota enabled the Defender to boost digital engagement and reach more readers without compromising journalistic quality. Jiles called the tool a game-changer, emphasizing its role in streamlining operations while amplifying their community’s voice.
In a recent interview with Johnny Levy, CEO of DataJoe and founder of the Media Data Collaborative, 1440 CEO Tim Huelskamp shared his unconventional approach to business, media, and social impact. The conversation, part of the People of Media series, explored Huelskamp’s journey in launching 1440, a rapidly growing news platform designed for the “intellectually curious,” and his passion for balancing profit with purpose.
The Center for Integrity in News Reporting (CFINR) is searching for a dynamic Communications Director to lead outreach initiatives, engage with media organizations, and advocate for ethical journalism across the United States. This high-profile role goes beyond traditional communications — it requires an individual passionate about restoring public trust in news media through advocacy, public engagement and strategic media relations.
A new multi-market analysis by The Media Audit underscores the significant influence of newspapers in the automotive sector, ranking them as the second most impactful media platform — just behind podcasts — for adults 18+ planning to buy a vehicle in the next 12 months.
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