The membership of Local Media Association includes some amazing companies. Here is the first installment of our new series highlighting their success stories, featuring Shaw Media, Shaw Local News Network, and Shaw Local Radio.

Tom Shaw, vice president and chief product officer

Shaw Media is an agile, industry-leading media company. An exciting mix of strengths, we are employee-oriented and – above all else – committed to our communities.

We are the proud owners of the third oldest, continuously owned and operated family newspaper in the nation. Our legacy of success dates back to our founding in 1851. We’re the No. 1 source of independent local news and information in the communities we serve, and one of the nation’s largest newspaper publishers. That success is due to our talented group of employees who put their very best into Shaw Media’s award-winning print and digital publications and radio stations located in Illinois and Iowa. Our history of success continues today.

What was a major revenue success of your local media company in 2023?

We have successfully grown digital subscription revenue by double digits for the last six years. We have a strong culture of integrating data into the newsroom, and marketing and editorial work together to grow audience and build our paid online readership.

What are your company’s top three priorities moving into 2024?

Our top three priorities for the year are growing revenue through digital channels, events, and radio; growing subscribers through editorial and marketing strategies; and managing expenses.

Why did you join LMA, or what do you get out of being a part of LMA?

Our company was one of the founding members of [Suburban Newspapers Association], which has over the years transformed into what we now know as LMA. We get tremendous value out of LMA through new innovative business ideas, training, R&D partners, and industry collaborations. The LMA network is invaluable to anyone in the business today.

What keeps you up at night about the local media industry?

Finding a sustainable business model. Unless something changes, the gains we’ve made in digital are still not enough to cover the losses of our legacy business.

What gives you hope about the local media industry?

There is a growing awareness in recent years about the importance of local media in our society. That awareness has led to an outpouring of projects and initiatives to help solve for our sustainability. I’m hopeful that we capitalize on this momentum and work together for a better tomorrow.