The 2024 Digital Innovation Awards from Local Media Association celebrate the local news organizations redefining what’s possible through creativity, technology, and deep community connection. This year marked a milestone with the introduction of a new category honoring breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI).
From transformative newsroom tools to standout storytelling and revenue wins, these honorees are leading the charge in local media innovation. Below is a list of our individual winners, our Digital Innovators of the Year.
Siobhan “Sam” Bennett, New York Amsterdam News
The Local Media Association has named Siobhan “Sam” Bennett, President and Chief Revenue Officer for New York Amsterdam News, its Digital Innovator of the Year, recognizing her exceptional leadership and impact on one of America’s most storied Black newspapers.
Bennett has distinguished herself through her ability to cultivate talent and drive revenue growth by empowering team members to experiment with new approaches. Bennett’s leadership philosophy centers on identifying talent within her team and providing them with the autonomy and support needed to excel.
“Sam is truly a visionary leader,” said Amsterdam News Publisher Elinor R. Tatum. “Her work to shepherd the ongoing transformation of the Amsterdam News and inspire our dedicated team into the future has been a game-changer.”
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Paris Brown, The Baltimore Times
Paris Brown, publisher of The Baltimore Times, has been named an Innovator of the Year by Local Media Association for her adoption of AI to drive efficiency, content improvements and audience development.
While many in the news business have treated artificial intelligence as a threat, Paris Brown has embraced AI as an opportunity.
“Improve the quality of life of our readers, that’s our mission,” said Brown. “We’re not afraid of AI. It’s our friend. It helps us serve our audience.”
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Bethany Lane, QCity Metro
Bethany Lane, revenue strategist at QCity Metro, has been named an Innovator of the Year by the Local Media Association for her impressive focus on connecting with the audience, particularly for a small digital-only publication.
Each year, the Local Media Revenue and Strategy Innovator of the Year award recognizes a digital media leader delivering fantastic results by pioneering new concepts and experimenting in new and creative ways.
Lane’s focus on audience engagement has significantly benefited QCity Metro, a digital-only publication dedicated to the Black community in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Read more:
Bethany Lane, QCity Metro, has been named Digital Innovator of the Year by Local Media Association
Listen to Bethany’s “Keep It Local” podcast episode:
How QCity Metro’s Bethany Lane grew donor revenue with honesty, humor and bold asks
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Jon Rust, Sho Rust and Michael Machiah; Rust Communications and PubGen.AI
Rust Communications and its sister company, PubGen.ai, have been named Innovator of the Year by the Local Media Association for their development of an artificial intelligence-powered content management system and digital platform. The award, which recognizes leaders in digital media who pioneer new concepts and experiment in creative ways, highlights Jon K. Rust, Sho Rust and Michael Machiah for their work connecting advanced AI capabilities to newsroom workflows, media business systems and user-facing digital platforms.
The Local Media Association News, Content and Strategy Innovator of the Year award is given annually to a digital media leader delivering remarkable results.
The new platform, PubGen.ai, was first introduced across Rust Communications’ local media properties, including the Southeast Missourian. The company, headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, publishes newspapers and digital media in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska and Idaho. The platform is now being marketed to other media companies and journalism organizations.