Judi is the CEO of Georges Media Group, Louisiana’s largest locally owned media company, known for publishing iconic journalism brands like The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com, The Advocate, Gambit, and The Acadiana Advocate. She works with the Local Media Association on the Lab for Journalism Funding, Family and Independent Media Sustainability (FIMS) Lab and Knight x LMA BloomLab.

Tell us a little about what you will be working on for LMA/LMF:

I’m excited to work in three areas for LMA, including the Lab for Journalism Funding, FIMS and Bloom Lab.

What excited you most about this project and joining the team? 

I’m thrilled to join the LMA team and contribute to its impactful work in the industry. LMA has long been a leader in driving innovation, sustainability and audience growth through its meaningful lab programs, and I’m excited to be part of that mission. With my extensive experience in publishing, I look forward to leveraging my experience to coach teams, support their growth and help them achieve tangible, lasting success.

Tell us a little about your background in media and how you came to this role:

I’ve spent over 40 years leading media teams, including 25 years with Gannett, where I last served as Gulf Regional President, overseeing operations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. For the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of leading an independently owned media company in Louisiana. Our team has participated in several LMA labs, gaining valuable insights and benefiting greatly from the programming and peer collaboration.

What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the local media industry today?

One of the biggest challenges in local media today is growing audiences and deepening engagement, particularly by increasing direct traffic and reducing reliance on social referrals. At the same time, our greatest opportunity lies in being authentically local—both in our coverage and in the marketing solutions we provide. Leaning into this strength allows us to build deeper connections with our communities, differentiate ourselves from national competitors and drive sustainable growth

Retaining top talent is what keeps me up at night. They are the lifeblood of our industry, and ensuring they feel valued, supported, and motivated is always on my mind. But they’re also what gets me up in the morning. Working alongside such a dedicated, innovative and driven team inspires me every day, and I’m excited for the opportunity to collaborate, problem-solve and push our industry forward together.