Mega-Conference brings industry executives together to share strategies for meeting the challenges of today

I’ve heard consistently from both newspaper executives and our Solutions Partner members at this conference how much information and engagement the Mega-Conference provided them.  They also told me how impressed they were at the energy that was in the conference room and hallways.  That speaks to the dedication conference attendees have to our industry.”

Heidi Wright, president of America's Newspapers

Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, 350 members of America’s Newspapers and the News/Media Alliance gathered April 14-16 for discussions of the key issues they are facing and to share success stories and strategies for meeting the challenges of today.

Dean Ridings, CEO of America’s Newspapers, noted that many members commented on the strength of the conference program and the valuable connections they made this year at the Mega-Conference.  “There is great value in coming together.  The connections formed at the Mega-Conference help to strengthen the entire newspaper industry.  Our members — regardless of their size — are more alike than they are different.  They share a love for their local communities and have a desire to provide their readers with strong, trusted news reports.  The bonds that are strengthened here, benefit everyone — the newspapers and the communities they serve.”

Heidi Wright, CEO of EO Media Group and publisher of The Bulletin in Bend, Oregon, is president of America’s Newspapers.  She commented, “I’ve heard consistently from both newspaper executives and our Solutions Partner members at this conference how much information and engagement the Mega-Conference provided them.  They also told me how impressed they were at the energy that was in the conference room and hallways.  That speaks to the dedication conference attendees have to our industry.”

The conference kicked off with a keynote address by Mi-Ai Parrish, managing director of ASU Media Enterprise and CEO and founder of MAP Strategies Group.  She talked about what happens “in the fabric of our communities when we neglect the vital pillars of democracy and journalism.” She said, “When independent news outlets disappear or struggle to survive, our communities lose a critical source of information.” She said this leads to a lack of transparency, accountability and civic engagement, which can deepen societal divisions that erode trust in institutions and to decreased overall health in the communities newspapers serve.”

To combat the challenges being faced by newspapers, key topics of discussion at the Mega-Conference included:

• The importance of strong content
• AI’s impact on local news, how it is being used to enhance operations, and how one newspaper group used AI to expand hyperlocal reach, enhance reader engagement and unlock new ad opportunities
• Trends in Lead-to-Cash
• Digital product development
• Strategies in audience development to enhance readership and build a healthy funnel with first-party data
• Best practices for finding and retaining an all-star team
• Politics and how one newsroom is engaging audiences by showcasing truth, fostering trust and delivering clarity
• Measuring local newspaper ad effectiveness
• Local sales success, with ideas shared by industry leaders from Adams Publishing Group, CherryRoad Media and Gannett | USA TODAY Network
• Updates on advocacy efforts being made by America’s Newspapers and the News/Media Alliance
• Innovative strategies for revenue growth
• Strategic philanthrophy
• Subscriber revenue and retention

In addition to discussing the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, AI and other challenges facing newspapers, Danielle Coffey, president and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, talked about the value of the relationship that America’s Newspapers and the News/Media Alliance have formed in advocating for the newspaper industry, adding: “We are stronger when we work together.”

The formal conference program ended on a high note with a panel discussion about subscriber revenue and retention, moderated by Aaron Kotarek, senior vice president, audience and operations, Oahu Publications, Inc.  Panelists were: Traci Bauer, vice president, print/digital content with Adams Publishing Group; Ester Maina, vice president, audience development and marketing, Adams Publishing Group; and Claire Linney, director of digital subscriber acquisition, McClatchy.

Kotarek outlined seven key takeaways and advice from this conference session:

• Consumer revenue drivers have a bigger seat at the table than ever before.  Subscription revenues will be at the forefront of funding the content gathering infrastructure.
• Use digital to promote digital:  QR codes, email marketing, SMS messaging, social media marketing, geo-fence targeting, etc.
• Test everything regarding digital acquisition efforts!  New start tracking, shorter intro rates, high step-up rates, no intro rates, rates by segment, etc.
• Utilize an econometric price modeling algorithm to identify EACH subscriber's rate threshold and propensity to pay.   There are no rate ceilings YET …
• Journalists need to adapt to the business model change from advertising to audience revenues.
• Content is not king.  Revenue is not king.  Content Revenue IS king!
• Widen your digital subscription acquisition funnel but realize you need to replace high value home delivery subscribers who stop with equally valuable digital subscribers.  We don’t charge for content by platform.  No matter which platform your content resides on, it has relatively the same value!

Additional coverage of the Mega-Conference will be available in upcoming newsletters from America’s Newspapers.

About America’s Newspapers:
On behalf of its approximately 1,700 newspaper and Solutions Partner companies, America’s Newspapers is committed to explaining, defending and advancing the vital role of newspapers in democracy and civil life. We put an emphasis on educating the public on all the ways newspapers contribute to building a community identity and the success of local businesses. Learn more: www.newspapers.org/

For more information, contact:
Dean Ridings, CEO, America’s Newspapers: dridings@newspapers.org