Jim Brady is the founder and CEO of Spirited Media, a mobile-focused local news startup.

Jim has spent almost 20 years in digital news, working in both digital-only and legacy operations, and has the gray, thinning hairline to prove it. He came to the digital world in April 1995 as sports editor of Digital Ink, the Washington Post’s first new media effort. He was on the core team that launched washingtonpost.com in June 1996 and has been a sucker for all things digital ever since.

Click here to learn more about Jim.

What motivated you to join the LMA/LMF board at this moment? 

I served on the LMA board from 2018 to 2021, but resigned when I joined Knight Foundation to avoid any conflicts of interest. I’ve always been a believer in LMA’s mission, operational capability and deep commitment to local journalism, so I’m thrilled to return to the board to help the organization in any way I can.

What perspective or expertise are you most excited to bring to the board? 

I think my recent experience in philanthropy will be helpful to LMA and its members, and I’m hopeful my overall range of experience can be useful too. I’ve worked at big companies, small ones and also started my own. I’ve worked for print, digital and broadcast orgs. I’ve run editorial, business and product operations. I’ve been at this for a while and have seen a lot.

Where do you see the greatest opportunity for local media over the next few years? 

This probably is more of a necessity than an opportunity, but we have to continue to make progress on the business model for local news. I have no doubt we will continue to produce meaningful journalism — in both old and new ways — but that won’t matter much if we cannot figure out how to make enough money to support that work. 

What gives you hope about the future of local news? 

I think we’re finally all in agreement that the future of local news is a digital one — it took too long, in my opinion, but so be it.  But at least we’re not fighting yesterday’s wars anymore. Also, there’s a lot of young talent entering the field who see the role of local news in community differently and they are developing new tools and ways of engaging with local audiences that I think are necessary. Some of old us fogies have done what we can to help local news make it through this difficult 20-year period, but it’ll be that next generation that lands the plane.

When you’re not thinking about media or board work, where can we find you? 

Traveling — I’ve been to all 50 states and all but two continents — and watching my bad sports teams, especially the New York Jets. But I’m not great at relaxing. Maybe if I had better sports teams…