Episoder
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Amy Kovac-Ashley, the executive director of Tiny News Collective shares insights on how Tiny News Collective supports early-stage news founders, particularly those from traditionally excluded communities, by providing resources, tools, and a supportive community.
The discussion covers the importance of diverse voices in local journalism, the challenges faced by local news startups, and the innovative ways they can engage with their audiences. Amy emphasizes the significance of understanding community needs and tailoring editorial and business strategies accordingly.
Key takeaways include the potential for local news to act as a community connector, the value of arts and culture coverage, and the need for sustainable support systems for small news organizations. Amy also highlights successful case studies, such as Future Tides and The Shout, and explores the role of new revenue opportunities in sustaining local journalism.
Episode chapters:
(02:36) - The mission of Tiny News Collective
(05:24) - Changing the face of local news
(07:43) - Arts and culture coverage as community connector
(16:43) - Building support systems for early-stage news founders
(27:03) - Tailoring support to individual needs
(31:39) - The challenges of early-stage founders
(43:19) - Scaling support
(45:46) - Criteria for joining Tiny News Collective
(48:15) - Rapid-fire questions
Links:Amy Kovac-Ashley: Linkedln, Twitter/X
The Tiny News Collective
Mentioned
Cara Kuhlman and Future Tides
Mazin Sidahmed and Documented
Jiquanda Johnson and Flint Beat
Nancy Flores and Austin Vida
The Shout
Project Optimist
Duc Luu and Knight Foundation
Aaron Pilofar
Heather Bryant
Tyler Fisher
Claudia Amaro and Planeta Venus
Jeff Jarvis
Jay Rosen
Wichita Foundation
LION Publishers
INN (Investigative News Network)
New Mexico Local News Fund
Documenters
Journalism and Design program at The New School
Recommendations:
Comedy;
Mike Birbiglia and Working It Out podcast
WTF with Marc Maron
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman
John Mulaney Presents: Everybodyâs in L.A.
Trevor Noah stand up
City Cast
Northern Exposure and Northern Overexposure podcast
The Hill Is Home
The DC Line
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Michael Shaprio (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun), Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). -
In this episode, Michael Shapiro, founder and CEO of TAPinto, delves into his innovative franchise model for local news. He shares insights on how TAPinto helps local news publishers focus on local content and advertising by handling backend services like billing, technology and graphic design. Shapiro highlights success stories from various franchisees, discusses their new licensing option for non-franchisees, and explores the challenges and opportunities in local journalism. As newsrooms are spread thin and the industry increasingly looks to shared services models, TAPintoâs approach to providing services offers lessons well beyond their franchisees.
Links:Michael Shapiro: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
TAPinto
Mentioned
Daily Targum
Patch.com
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), SPJ Code of Ethics
Saint Bonaventure Universityâs TAPinto Greater Olean
TAPinto the Breeze: Bridgewater and Raritan
Halston Media News
Local Media Association
Recommendations:
Variety of national media:
Washington Post: washingtonpost.com
CNN: cnn.com
Fox: foxnews.com
New York Times: nytimes.com
Local news
Master Chef
Top Chef
Dateline
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun), Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). -
Manglende episoder?
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Kenny Katzgrau, majority owner of redbankgreen and founder of Broadstreet, shares his vision for revitalizing community journalism. He discusses strategies to help hyperlocal websites and small community weeklies thrive.
Katzgrauâs approach involves enhancing advertising efficacy and community engagement through digital tools, advocating for news that not only informs but also engages and uplifts the community. He calls for a balance of serious journalism with elements of fun, suggesting that a vibrant local news outlet can profoundly impact its community by reflecting a broader, more inclusive view of news coverage.
Katzgrau provides very practical tips on making digital advertising work for local businesses and for long-term financial sustainability of news outlets.
Episode chapters:
(02:35) - From serving publishers to becoming one
(07:43) - Sustainable is not enough. How about prosperity?
(12:12) - Experimenting to serve advertisers
(15:47) - Recruiting the community to cover stories you canât
(21:37) - The importance of fun in work
(24:54) - The importance of fun for readers
(28:32) - The business owner mindset vs. the reporter mindset
(31:12) - Advertising as telling the story of local businesses
(35:26) - Beyond CPM buy. Start with what you need.
(40:40) - Nurturing advertiser relationships and automating tasks
(44:08) - The Broadstreet ad manager platform
(49:11) - Rapid-fire questions
Links:Kenny Katzgrau: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Medium
redbankgreen
Broadstreet
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun), Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). -
John Garrett, CEO and founder of Community Impact, shares insights from his journey of launching and expanding a family of hyperlocal weekly newspapers from the game room of his Texas home in 2005 to reaching 2.5 million homes across 70 communities today. Garrett delves into the unconventional success of a print-centric model in a digital-dominated era, emphasizing the importance of distribution, community engagement, and the unique editorial mix that caters to the civic and local business news interests of residents.
Garrett also discusses the challenges and learnings from overexpansion into other states and the strategic decision to refocus on Texas, underscoring the resilience and adaptability required in the evolving news industry. He highlights the innovative approaches Community Impact has adopted, including digital transformation initiatives like CI 360 and the use of Smart Brevity to enhance storytelling and reader engagement.
Garrett emphasizes on the critical role of local advertising in sustaining journalism, advocating for a partnership approach with local businesses and the significance of geography in advertising effectiveness. He shares personal reflections on leadership, the impact of taking a sabbatical for mental health, and the vision for Community Impact's future, including aspirations for generational leadership and expansion within Texas. Garrett's story is a testament to the enduring value of local news and the potential for print media to thrive through innovation, community focus, and a deep commitment to journalistic integrity.
Episode chapters:
(02:06) - A print success story in the digital age
(05:20) - An editorial mix of catnip and civic info for every resident
(10:29) - Donât ignore Main Street
(15:08) - Committing to showing up
(19:55) - Why print is a driving force for Community Impact
(23:40) - Not abandoning reach and advertising for reader revenue
(26:46) - Keys to driving ad sales
(29:57) - Geography is your great advantage with an advertiser
(33:50) - Digital transformation at CI
(35:36) - Overexpansion followed by retraction to focus on Texas
(40:45) - Burnout among leaders
(43:46) - Recent growth and plans for the future
(46:59) - Rapid-fire questions
Links:John Garrett: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Community Impact
Mentioned
âHow Community Impact Built an Oasis in the News Desertâ, Texas Monthly
Smart Brevity
Post on CEO burnout/well-being
The Great Game of Business
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun), Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). -
Shannon Kinney, founder of Dream Local Digital, discusses the evolving landscape of digital advertising and how trust is also a secret sauce for news media in selling advertising. With her extensive experience and accolades, including serving on the board for the Local Media Association and being named Local Digital Innovator of the Year, Shannon offers invaluable insights into strategies for local news organizations to adapt and thrive in a digital-first world. We delve into the importance of a client-forward approach instead of a product-focused approach, the potential of digital services beyond advertising, and the unique advantages local newspapers hold in trust and local knowledge.
Episode chapters:
(03:24) - Does digital advertising mean low margin?
(06:44) - Going beyond selling audience to selling solutions
(11:26) - Trust is a local newspaperâs key competitive advantage
(14:37) - Learning digital solutions to help a client best tell their story
(17:48) - Storytelling and local knowledge as key differentiators
(24:24) - Tell a story about your other key differentiator, your print product and digital brand
(31:12) - Using AI on the sales side
(35:04) - Partnering to provide digital solutions
(38:16) - Selling as a client partner
(42:28) - The menu of services
Links:Shannon Kinney: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Dream Local Digital
Local Media Association
Two training sessions for listeners
Description
Session 1, passcode: nHf07%kH
Session 2, passcode: +?UNby15
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun), Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).
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Larry Ryckman, editor and co-founder of The Colorado Sun, shares insights into the digital outletâs journey. Transitioning to a nonprofit model on its fifth anniversary, The Colorado Sun has not only survived but thrived, garnering national attention for its approach to news coverage and its business model. With more individual members than the much-lauded Texas Tribune, The Colorado Sun's strategy for growing reader revenue without a paywall is a testament to its commitment to accessible journalism.
Ryckman delves into the founding of The Colorado Sun. He discusses the challenges and learnings from moving away from the page view business to focus on engaging content that resonates with readers, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and community in the digital age.
The conversation also covers the Sun's business model, which balances memberships, advertising, and grants, setting a sustainable path forward for nonprofit newsrooms. Ryckman's personal journey from a seasoned journalist to navigating the business side of running a news outlet offers valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of quality journalism.
Episode chapters:
(02:44) - Founding The Colorado Sun
(08:01) - The successful business model of The Sun
(09:53) - âIf weâre going to be digital, letâs make it a great experience.â
(18:44) - Growing reader revenue without a paywall
(24:10) - Learning the business side of journalism
(29:29) - Working without a net as an entrepreneur
(36:11) - From LLC to B Corp to nonprofit
(45:41) - Rapid-fire questions
Links:Larry Ryckman: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
The Colorado Sun
Mentioned:
Texas Tribune
Community Impact
Alabama Media Group
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). -
Frank Mungeam, chief innovation officer at the Local Media Association, discusses his "Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism" report released last month. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and listening as the foundation for developing impactful journalism projects that resonate with local needs. Mungeam outlines a strategic approach to building a sustainable philanthropy model, starting with grassroots support and leveraging impactful journalism to attract funders. Beyond philanthropy, he delves into the broader landscape of innovation and product development within the industry, highlighting the need for local news outlets to adapt to the evolving demands of their audiences. Mungeam envisions a future where a diverse and inclusive local news ecosystem thrives, supported by a blend of philanthropy, community engagement, and innovative content strategies.
Episode chapters:
(02:05) - The burning questions facing local news
(09:17) - Listening for audience needs and the Jobs to Be Done framework
(16:09) - The challenges in local TV news
(21:25) - Taking a risk with Next with Kyle Clark in Denver
(28:10) - Getting outside your legacy lane and mining your archives
(34:56) - Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism report: Local funders needed
(38:59) - How can philanthropy be sustainable?
(47:22) - Fundraising as a path to better community service, storytelling and product development
(52:04) - Impact is the secret sauce of local journalism
(56:21) - Start with listening then build a philanthropy funnel
(59:49) - Rapid-fire questions
Correction: In the recommendations segment, Frank recommends Manâs Search for Meaning by Eli Wiesel. The book is by Viktor Frankl.
Links:Frank Mungeamt: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Local Media Association
Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism report
Mentioned:
Innovator's Dilemma and Jobs to Be Done by Clayton Christensen
Next with Kyle Clark
Verify
Press Forward
How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins
Pathways to Philanthropy report
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Recommended
Tao Te Ching by Lao-tzu, translated by Stephen Mitchell
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
Manâs Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).
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As Kelly Ann Scott leaves her position as VP of Content for Alabama Media Group to assume the role of Executive Editor and Senior Vice President at the Houston Chronicle, she shares her insights on digital transformation in local journalism in one of the most fascinating examples of digital transformation. Scott discusses the strategic reorganization of newsrooms into mission-driven teams, the importance of impactful journalism, and the evolution of Alabama Media Group into a digital-first media company. She emphasizes the necessity of product thinking, audience engagement, and the balance between serving current and future audiences. Scott also highlights the significance of empathy and careful decision-making in newsroom leadership, advocating for a focus on solvable problems and innovative solutions.
Episode chapters:
(03:01) - Background of transformation at Alabama Media Group
(08:19) - Success, Pulitzers, serving multiple audiences and making daily choices
(12:24) - Organizing the newsroom to get beyond the daily grind
(19:05) - The innovation cycle: sprints, measurement, current vs. new audiences
(25:19) - Fans, merchandise and brands
(27:10) - Concierge news service
(29:23) - Product thinking and saying goodbye to print
(32:46) - Transformation for smaller mid-sized news organizations
(34:33) - Care and feeding of the team: empathy, listening, not overloading them
(39:33) - Rapid fire questions
Links:Kelly Ann Scott: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Alabama Media Group, AL.com, Alabama Education Lab, This is Alabama, People of Alabama, Itâs a Southern Thing, SEC Shorts, Reckon News, Just Like Mama Used to Say
Houston Chronicle
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).
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Dan Grech joins host Tim Regan-Porter again to explore the practical applications of AI in journalism. This episode delves into how AI tools are currently being used in newsrooms to free up time for journalists and better service audiences.
The conversation highlights the potential of AI to influence storytelling and marketing, its impacts on journalism and local news, and the changes it could bring about. Grech and Regan-Porter discuss various practical AI use cases for journalists, including processing police reports, automated translation of weather reports, and creating transcripts of public meetings. They emphasize the importance of "human in the loop" in AI applications and the need for journalists to adapt to new tools and methodologies.
This episode is part of a series exploring the opportunities and challenges AI presents for journalism, offering insights into how AI can be a powerful ally in the mission of truth and storytelling.
Episode chapters:
(05:27) - Practical AI use cases for journalists from AP
(09:24) - Use Case 1: Processing police reports
(13:12) - Lesson: AI can free up time to focus on key tasks (but automation is difficult to maintain)
(15:39) - Use Case 2: Automated translation of weather reports
(18:39) - Use Case 3: Transcripts of public meetings
(23:01) - Use Case 4: Classifying press release emails for assignment
(26:13) - The importance of âhuman in the loopâ
(27:58) - The importance of working on *how* you work as a journalist
(32:02) - Impact, not just efficiency
(34:40) - Use cases for existing off-the-shelf tools: writing support
(40:22) - Use cases for existing off-the-shelf tools: interview prep
(42:43) - ChatGPT tips
(45:56) - Data analysis and other miscellaneous uses
Links:Dan Grech: LinkedIn, Twitter
BizHack Academy: web, Twitter
Mentioned:
Navigating the AI Revolution in Journalism: A Conversation with Dan Grech (LNM Episode 16)
ICFJ
Local News AI
Brainerd Dispatch
El Vocero
Michigan Radio
Scrum
ChatGPT
Duet AI
Copilot
DALL-E
Midjourney
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).
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In this candid discussion, Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita, co-founders of URL Media, delve into the network's mission to support and empower independent media serving Black and Brown communities. Now in its fourth year, URL Media aims to address the gaps and challenges faced by these media entrepreneurs, focusing on enhancing reach, expanding revenue and building long-term sustainability for BIPOC outlets.
We delve into the unique relationship that ethnic media have with their audiences. The trust inherent in that relationship is a cornerstone in providing nuanced and community-centric journalism. URL Media was founded in the wake of the racial reckoning of 2020, and we discuss the unfulfilled promises from that time and the systemic barriers that persist in various institutions, including the media. They emphasize the importance of trust over scale in journalism and critique the mainstream media's approach to objectivity, which often creates distance and alienation.
Episode chapters:
(02:27) - Founding URL Media to address gaps experienced by media entrepreneurs serving Black and Brown audiences
(05:38) - Scale is not the answer to solving democracyâs woes; trust is
(09:10) - Addressing the challenges of audience and revenue growth for BIPOC media
(18:28) - URL Mediaâs structure
(22:05) - We're not just covering a community. We are the community.
(27:09) - How notions of objectivity in mainstream media creates distance and alienation
(29:55) - How mainstream newsrooms can work with ethnic newsrooms in non-extractive ways
(35:01) - Philanthropy, ethnic media and systematic disenfranchisement
Links:URL Media: web, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X
Sara Lomax: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
S. Mitra Kalita: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Mentioned:
WURD Radio
Epicenter-NYC
Charter
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Media Transformation Challenge program
TBN24
The Haitian Times
Garry Pierre-Pierre
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).
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In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, CEO and co-founder of the National Trust for Local News, to discuss the vital work they're doing in preserving and evolving local news across the country. Elizabeth, with her background as a Harvard Business School-trained academic ("failed academic" in her words, since she's now actively working in the field), brings a unique and insightful perspective to our conversation. I was particularly excited to step back and geek out a little to apply business theory to the challenges and opportunities in local news.
We cover a range of topics, from the importance of community weeklies and the criteria used to select titles for investment, to the progress of ongoing initiatives and finding the right balance between local ownership and the efficiencies of larger news chains. We also discuss the relationship between mission and profit in the news industry, and what wild success for local news could look like five years down the line. By incorporating business concepts such as jobs to be done, localism, and Clayton Christensenâs disruptive innovation theory, we offer a fresh lens through which to view the future of local journalism.
Episode chapters:
(02:32) - The National Trustâs mission and why legacy news might be worth preserving
(07:12) - The importance of community weeklies
(11:41) - Evaluating titles for investment
(14:38) - How current projects are doing
(17:01) - Local involvement/ownership and benefiting from chain-like scale
(22:09) - Other lessons learned
(23:28) - The mission/profit relationship
(28:08) - What does wild success look like in five years?
(29:49) - Business theory applied to local news: business models
(33:18) - Business theory applied to local news: jobs to be done and localism
(37:54) - Business theory applied to local news: Clayton Chrstensenâs disruptive innovation theory
(44:21) - Business theory applied to local news: false rigor
(47:37) - Rapid-fire questions
Links:National Trust for Local News: web, LinkedIn, Instagram, Medium, Twitter/X
Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Mentioned:
Colorado Community Media
Maine Trust for Local News
CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalismâs Executive Education Program in News Innovation and Leadership
Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University
Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy
Membership Puzzle Projectâs Guide to Membership
Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society
Harvard Business School
Democracy Fund
KERA
Denton Record-Chronicle
Press Forward
LNM episode with Sarahbeth Berman of AJP
Sue Cross of INN
Invent and Wander: The Collected Writings of Jeff Bezos, With an Introduction by Walter Isaacson
Elizabeth's dissertation
Jobs to Be Done
Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Clayton Christensenâs Disruptive Innovation
Subtext
Alabama Media Group
Golden Transcript (and its examination of its contribution to systemic racism)
Superhuman email client
Recommendations:
Caleb's Crossing
Schmigadoon!
Taylor Swift
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza FĂ©lix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). -
Weâve taken a little time off to focus on the Colorado Press Associationâs 145th annual convention last month. It was a great event, featuring many of the guests youâve heard on this podcast. But itâs an all-consuming event, and Iâm excited to go back to putting out episodes.
For now, Iâm dropping a guest episode of When the People Decide, a show about how everyday people are shaping democracy. Itâs hosted by Jenna Spinelle, who is also a journalism instructor at Penn State and produced the News Guest podcast for LION Publishers. In this episode, she discusses the relevance of civic information with Mike Rispoli of Free Press, and then delves into how that can be put into practice with Richard Young, founder of CivicLex, a non-profit that is bridging the gap between news and news consumers in Kentucky.
I encourage you to follow When the People Decide in your favorite podcast app and visit the website at thepeopledecide.show.
Check back next episode for my interview with Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro of the National Trust for Local News.
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Sarabeth Berman, Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg, Lyndsay C. Green (The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser, Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt, Dan Grech, Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley (What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza FĂ©lix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh. -
Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project, discusses the organization's approach to helping nonprofit news organizations build strong, sustainable businesses. She shares insights from her unique vantage point, having come from outside the world of journalism. The conversation also delves into AJP's collaboration with OpenAI, examining the evolving role of AI technologies in shaping the future of news.
Episode chapters:
(02:46) - The mission of the American Journalism Project
(06:48) - Coming from outside of journalism with a sense of whatâs possible
(16:52) - Why local news matters to communities
(23:34) - AJPâs partnership with OpenAI and AIâs implications for journalism
(34:01) - AJPâs programs for newsrooms
(41:56) - Philanthropy and building strong business teams and practices
(47:13) - Supporting ethnic media and collaborating across the ecosystem
(55:21) - Diversifying newsroom revenue
(58:08) - Rapid-fire questions
Links:American Journalism Project: web, Facebook, Instagram, Medium, Twitter/X
Sarabeth Berman: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Mentioned:
Mississippi Today
VTDigger
Capital B
Signal Ohio
Houston Landing
Indiana Local News Initiative
Press Forward
Houston Endowment
Enlace Latino NC
Outlier Media
Recommendations:
New York Times audio app
Smartless podcast
Local news newsletters
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg, Lyndsay C. Green (The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser, Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt, Dan Grech, Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley (What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza FĂ©lix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh.
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
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Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg reflect on the legacy of the Intermountain Jewish News (IJN) as it marks its 110th year. They delve into IJN's dedication to unbiased journalism, its profound impact on the Jewish community, and the evolving landscape of news. IJN's journey underscores the value of balanced journalism, the significance of community engagement, and the importance of adaptability in the ever-changing media landscape.
Episode chapters:
(01:58) - The importance of the Intermountain Jewish News to its community
(06:49) - IJNâs footprint and approach to news
(12:17) - The 110th Anniversary Edition
(15:39) - The importance of national news for local audiences
(21:46) - Changes to the business of news at IJN and the Jewish press more broadly
(31:57) - Words of wisdom
LinksIntermountain Jewish News: web, Facebook
Rabbi Hillel Goldberg: about
Shana Goldberg: LinkedIn
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Lyndsay C. Green (The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser, Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt, Dan Grech, Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley (What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza FĂ©lix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh.
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Iâm excited to share an episode of The Journalism Salute podcast from Mark Simon. Mark describes the podcast as a âjournalism appreciationâ podcast. His interviews with a diverse cast of working journalists are nice compliments to the interviews Local News Matters does on the newsrooms and support systems that enable that work.
In this episode, Mark talks to Lyndsay C. Green. Lyndsay is a dining and restaurant critic for the Detroit Free Press. This past year she was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for criticism for a body of work described thusly by her employer:
âEye-opening, thought-provoking and mouthwatering, Lyndsayâs work brings fresh perspective and uncommon courage to readers hungry for brave dining criticism. She taps into Detroitâs culturally expansive and unpretentious spirit as she reviews area eateries.â
Lyndsay talked about her path from beauty writer to food critic, how she spoke a personal passion project into existence, a column she wrote about how Black women can go unseen in fine dining, the process by which she does restaurant reviews and other extensive coverage of her beat, and how both eating food and growing food inspire her.
Read Lyndsayâs work here: https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/lyndsay-c-green-detroit-free-press
I encourage you to follow The Journalism Salute in your favorite podcast app, visit their website at thejournalismsolute.org and follow them on Twitter/X @journalismpod.
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser, Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt, Dan Grech, Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley, Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza FĂ©lix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh. -
New Mexico is one of a number of state-level bright spots in local news, thanks in large part to the efforts of our guests. Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser shed light on the New Mexico Local News Fund's initiatives to bridge gaps in local journalism. From fostering young talent to securing state funding, they explore the Fund's impact on communities and the future of news in New Mexico.
Episode chapters:
(02:07) - How the New Mexico Local News Fund Started
(07:15) - The Local News Fundâs mission and programs
(14:43) - State funding of the Fund
(21:07) - Supporting young journalists, especially journalists of color and those in rural areas
(26:04) - Funding as a crucial component of diversifying newsrooms
(29:30) - Class diversity in newsrooms
(31:53) - Impacts on newsrooms and communities
(41:10) - Accelerators and building sustainability with programs
(46:45) - Collaborating with non-journalists
(50:22) - Rapid-fire questions
LinksNew Mexico Local News Fund: web, Twitter/X, Facebook
Rashad Mahmood: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Mark Glaser: LinkedIn, Twitter/X
Wind Power Media
Mentioned:
Sarah Gustavus
Democracy Fund
Thornburg Foundation
KUNM
MediaShift
Report for America
Journalism department at the University of New Mexico
Knight Foundation
Center for Collaborative Journalism
Solutions Journalism Network
Reyes Mata III
Generation Justice
Searchlight New Mexico
Empowerment Congress
Colorado News Collaborative (COLab)
The Lenfest Institute
Downtown Albuquerque News
New Mexico In Depth
Source NM
NM Political Report
Santa Fe Reporter
American Ghost: A Family's Haunted Past in the Desert Southwest
Platonic
Inasmuch Foundation
McCune Charitable Foundation
Con Alma Health Foundation
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt, Dan Grech, Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley, Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza FĂ©lix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh. -
The Mountain-Ear, nestled in Nederland, Colorado, has long been a cherished source of community journalism. With a tech entrepreneur's recent investment aimed at preserving the paper's legacy and supporting its evolution, both he and editor/publisher (and former owner) Barbara Hardt join us to discuss their journeys. Barbara discusses her multifaceted role, the challenges and rewards of "professional juggling," and the paper's innovative ventures, from podcasting to community partnerships. It's a glimpse into the enduring value of local news and the individuals dedicated to its future.
Episode chapters:
(02:10) - Why a tech entrepreneur bought this print newspaper
(06:30) - Barbara Hardtâs background at the paper and plans for the future
(09:33) - About Nederland, Colorado and the Mountain-Ear
(15:17) - On being a âprofessional jugglerâ
(18:32) - Producing a local news podcast
(21:46) - Managing interns with a small team
(23:43) - Partnering with local organizations
(30:03) - Advice for small publishers looking to engage the community beyond print
(33:47) - Accountability reporting at a small community paper
LinksMountain-Ear: web, Facebook, Instagram
The Mountain-Ear Podcast: web, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Barbara Hardt: LinkedIn
Christian Vanek: LinkedIn
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Dan Grech, Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley, Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza FĂ©lix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh.
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In this episode, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and journalism with Dan Grech, a Pulitzer-winning former journalist and news director who has transitioned into the world of marketing and AI. Grech shares his unique perspective on the potential of AI to transform storytelling, marketing, and more, while also discussing the emotional, personal, and ethical implications of his transition from journalism to business. The conversation delves into the potential impacts of AI on journalism and local news, the unique value that human intelligence provides, and the transformative potential of AI.
Episode chapters:
(03:57) - Danâs journey from journalism to business and AI
(13:31) - The destructive way journalists talk about business roles
(18:28) - The epochal change presented by generative AI
(31:03) - AIâs impact on the 5 pillars of journalism
(35:09) - AIâs implications for intellectual property and curation
(41:18) - AIâs implications for the business models of journalism
(46:10) - Using AI in newsrooms
LinksDan Grech: LinkedIn, Twitter
BizHack Academy: web, Twitter
BizHackâs âAI for Marketing and Salesâ course
WLRN
Center for Collaborative Journalism
âSchweddy Ballsâ SNL skit
ChatGPT
Stable Diffusion
Midjourney
Planet Money makes an episode using AI
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.
Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley, Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza FĂ©lix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh.
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Zack Richner, founder of Easy Tax Credits and third-generation community newspaper owner, demystifies the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) and its potential benefits for news organizations. Zack explains how his company assists businesses, including newspapers, in applying for the ERTC, and how this process can generate substantial referral revenue. The discussion delves into the specifics of the tax credit, the application timeframe, and the overall benefits for newsrooms.
Episode chapters:
(02:03) - ERTC program for newsrooms and Zackâs newspaper background
(04:56) - How ERTC works
(09:24) - Newsroom success in generating revenue by helping local businesses
(12:46) - How newsrooms are promoting program, what types of communities have seen success, and timeframes
(16:43) - How to sign up
Links:Zachary (Zack) Richner: LinkedIn
Easy Tax Credits: web (use code COPRESS)
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
Bio:Zachary Richner is the Founder and Managing Partner of Arrandale Ventures, a mission-driven, strategic venture capital firm that is creating a truly innovative and sustainable business model for local media companies. Now more than ever, it is critical for the health of our democracy to have an independent and vibrant free press. Zack has successfully invested in startups through his familyâs three-generation media firm, Richner Communications, Inc. (RCI), which is one of the largest local content providers in New York State. By leveraging RCIâs core competenciesâtrusted community relationships with consumers and businessesâhe has generated outsize returns on these investments through a uniquely accretive performance equity model. Zack further honed his venture investing skills at Fifth Wall Ventures, where he not only evaluated early-stage companies but also developed strategy for new funds. Zack has been repeatedly recognized at the national and local levels for his leadership growing and scaling nascent organizations in innovative ways. He has spent extensive time in high-profile public sector roles, including serving in the White House Office of the Chief of Staff, working as director of the $1 billion NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program and managing the largest state budget in campaign history as Ohio Budget Director for the Obama 2012 campaign. A graduate of Harvard College, Zack received an MBA from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management and an MS Design Innovation from Northwestern University - McCormick School of Engineering. He is a NEXUS Global delegate and serves on the Kellogg Admissions Leadership Council.
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Tracie Powell, the engaging and provocative founder and CEO of the Pivot Fund, shares her unique perspective on the intersection of journalism, philanthropy, and racial equity. Drawing from her rich experiences spanning j-school, advertising and circulation, reporting, law school, and her current role in philanthropy, Tracie provides a nuanced view of the media landscape.
She delves into the mission of the Pivot Fund, emphasizing its commitment to centering BIPOC communities and the importance of participatory grantmaking. Tracie underscores the need for comprehensive, wraparound services for newsrooms, highlighting the importance of holistic support that extends beyond mere financial aid.
A significant part of the discussion is dedicated to addressing both the race and often overlooked class problems in journalism. Tracie provides actionable insights on how white-led newsrooms can foster inclusivity and better represent the communities they serve.
This conversation is a deep exploration of the challenges and opportunities in today's media landscape, offering valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of journalism and the role of philanthropy in shaping it.
Episode chapters:
(02:31) - What is the Pivot Fund and how is it distinctive?
(05:04) - Centering BIPOC communities (vs. BIPOC founders), participatory grantmaking
(13:47) - Tracieâs journey through J-school, advertising & circulation, reporting, law school & philanthropy
(21:48) - Wraparound services for newsrooms
(25:36) - Journalismâs class problem
(32:20) - What white-led newsrooms should do to include people of color
(42:16) - Rapid-fire questions
LinksTracie Powell: LinkedIn, Twitter
Pivot Fund: web, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube
The Pivot Fund Pod: Apple, Spotify
Recommendations
Prison Town podcast
Kansas City Defender
Black Joy
The hyperlocal newsrooms in your community
Mentioned:
Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy
JSK Journalism Fellowships at Stanford University
LION Publishers
Racial Equity in Journalism (REJ) Fund at Borealis Philanthropy
Public Square Initiative at Democracy Fund
Columbia Journalism Review
Poynter
Georgetown Law Center
Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
El TĂźmpano
Local Media Association interview
Pasa la Voz
Black America Web
Local Media Association
Media Impact Funders
American Journalism Project
Nieman Lab
Atlanta Daily World
Indians in Cummings GA
Wendy Thomas and Amethyst Davis interview
MLK 50
Documented New York
Enlace Latino
Sahan Journal
Axios Atlanta
Decaturish
ATLSCOOP
butter.atl
Reynolds Journalism Institute
Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook
Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter
BioTracie Powell is a leader in philanthropic efforts to increase racial equity and diversity in news media. She is the founder of The Pivot Fund, which seeks to support independent BIPOC community news.
Powell was a Fall 2021 Shorenstein Center Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, where she researched mechanisms for funding and capacity building for media outlets run by and for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, other people of color, and traditionally marginalized) communities. Powell is the immediate past board chair of LION Publishers, a professional journalism association for independent news publishers where she had served on the board since 2017.
Prior to her work with The Pivot Fund and Harvard, Powell was founding fund manager of the Racial Equity in Journalism (REJ) Fund at Borealis Philanthropy. Powell is also the founder of AllDigitocracy.org, which focuses on the media and its impact on diverse communities. She was a senior fellow with the Democracy Fund, where she worked on the Public Square Initiative that seeks to support informed dialogue through nonprofit journalism investments. Powell was a 2016 JSK (Knight) Fellow at Stanford University and has written regularly for the Columbia Journalism Review and Poynter Online. Her work has been highlighted by countless journalism and academic institutions, including Harvardâs Nieman Journalism Lab. She is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and The University of Georgiaâs Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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