From lightning-fast CMS migrations to AI-assisted newsroom tools and hands-on strategic consulting, the winners of this year’s Best R&D Partner honor showcased how deep collaboration and innovation can drive tangible results for local media companies.
After a competitive field of submissions, two standout R&D partners earned top recognition for going above and beyond to generate digital revenue, solve critical business challenges and help their media partners thrive:
First Place: PubGen.AI
PubGen.AI took top honors thanks to its transformative partnership with Rust Communications and The Lewiston Tribune. Across more than 50 newspapers — many in rural and small markets — PubGen.AI collaborated closely with journalists to develop what Rust referred to as a “journalism business in a box.”
By integrating AI tools that tackled everything from content tagging and fact-checking to newsletter personalization and headline testing, PubGen eliminated productivity bottlenecks that had long slowed local newsrooms.
In Lewiston, Idaho, PubGen guided the Tribune through a complex CMS migration and revamped their content archive, optimizing metadata and web presentation. The payoff? The Tribune surpassed its entire prior year’s digital subscription growth in just a few months.
The collaboration wasn’t just about tools — it was about access. PubGen.AI helped create an AI sandbox that allowed even resource-strapped newsrooms to experiment with emerging technologies.
Second Place: OnPremise Networks
When AFRO American Newspapers needed a partner to help bring a GNI-funded project to life, OnPremise Networks (OPN) didn’t just show up — they flew in. Literally.
OPN not only helped AFRO identify host locations for new media screens, but also developed advertiser pitch decks, crafted compelling marketing materials and stepped in to secure new sales partnerships when staffing was tight.
“OPN has gone above and beyond,” AFRO reported, noting their hands-on support, branding precision and proactive troubleshooting. Their work helped increase ad engagement and revenue while freeing up AFRO’s limited team to focus on broader strategy.
Editor’s note: Artificial Intelligence was used to write an initial summary of this article, gathered from judges’ information in a Google Doc. It was then reviewed and edited by LMA staff.