2024 LMA Fest Presentations

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Branded Content Workshop | 621 Executive Dining Room

If you don’t have a storytelling sales strategy, it’s time to build one! Local media companies are finding six-figure sales success by focusing on combining the power of storytelling and sponsorship while engaging unique audiences. Discover actionable revenue growth steps and hear success stories combining sponsorship, custom storytelling and distribution, which we playfully call The Peanut Butter and Jelly Plan.

Presenters: Peter Lamb, president, Lamb Consulting; Liz Hayes, director of strategy, The Branded Content Project; Julia Campbell, chief business transformation officer, LMA / general manager, The Branded Content Project

View the full presentation here.

12:45 p.m.-2 p.m.: Lunch, Welcome and LMA Fest Kickoff, sponsored by TollBit | 621 Executive Dining Room

Link to TollBit presentation

Senior Leadership Track: Press Forward Presses Forward — What’s Next for This Major Funding Effort | Room 100

With much anticipation, Press Forward was announced in the fall of 2023 with a $500+ million commitment to local news sustainability. Much has happened since then, including the hire of a dedicated director and the establishment of regional chapters. In this session, we’ll hear updates and plans from the leaders of Press Forward and major foundations supporting it, with plenty of time for Q&A.

Dale Anglin, director, Press Forward presentation

Digital Sales Track: Borrell’s Corey Elliott on the State of Local Media Advertising | 621 Executive Dining Room

Ready to revolutionize your local media advertising game? Corey Elliott of Borrell Associates will fill us in on the current state of local media advertising, what small and medium business leaders are thinking, and the pivotal role of local content in advertising success. Discover how to apply the latest trends and data to boost your advertising impact and grow your business.

Corey Elliott, executive vice president, Borrell Associates presentation

Fill out this form to receive the full deck.

Digital Sales Track: Cash In on Creativity — Boosting Media Revenue with Event Ideas | 621 Executive Dining Room

Discover new event ideas that will grow revenue. This session will provide successful examples and practical strategies for using creative events to attract community involvement and secure valuable sponsorship opportunities.

Panelists: April Brumley Hinkle, chief revenue officer, Texas Tribune and LMA Innovator of the Year; Zack Kucharski, executive editor, The Gazette; Tracy Brown, chief content officer, Chicago Public Media. Moderator: Penny Riordan, director, business strategy and partnerships, LMA.

View the presentation here.

Senior Leadership Track: Philanthropic Success Stories | Room 100

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion where local media leaders share philanthropic funding success stories. Learn how philanthropic support is driving innovation and sustaining high-quality journalism for media organizations.

Presentations: Elinor Tatum, publisher/editor in chief, New York Amsterdam News; Ashley Talley, enterprise executive producer, WRAL; P. J. Browning, president newspaper division, Evening Post Publishing. Moderator: Frank Mungeam, chief innovation officer, LMA.

Digital Sales Track: Sponsorship Sprint — Four Winning Sales Ideas in 40 Minutes | Room 306

In this fast-paced session, discover powerful, actionable strategies to boost your sponsorship sales. Panelists will share four innovative sales ideas designed to attract and secure top-tier sponsors. Get ready to energize your sales approach and achieve remarkable results!

Panelists: Amber Nettles, associate publisher, Chicago Reader; Bethany Lane, revenue strategist, QCity Metro; and Kelly Hulin, advertising sales director, The Seattle Times; Allison Taylor Levine, founder & CEO, Local Journalism Initiative & Spotlight Delaware. Moderator: Julia Campbell, chief business transformation officer, LMA.

View the full presentation here.

Digital Sales Track: Fostering Long-Term Partnerships and Sparking New Business | Room 306

Explore how to cultivate enduring client relationships and ignite new business in this dynamic session. Industry experts will share innovative strategies and practical insights for fostering long-term partnerships. Learn techniques to strengthen client connections and open doors to fresh opportunities for growth and success.

Presentations: Larry Lee, publisher/owner, The Sacramento Observer; Sonny Messiah Jiles, CEO, Defender Media Group; Tom Sly, VP, digital revenue, The E.W. Scripps Co. Moderator: Robert Walker-Smith, digital revenue director, Knight X LMA BloomLab.

Senior Leadership Track: Business Transformation Strategies for the Future | Room 100

In this session, hear from leaders on the front lines who are transforming and growing revenue. Our panelists will share strategies, progress to date and expected outcomes.

Presentations: Jeff Moriarty, EVP/chief product officer, Nexstar Digital; Amber Aldrich, senior director of advertising, Seattle Times Media Solutions. Moderator: Kevin Lloyd, co-founder, ColumbusBlack.com.