Where local media explores what’s next.

The local media industry is changing fast. New technologies, emerging business models, AI, data and evolving audience behaviors are creating new opportunities — and new questions — for media organizations.

The LMA Innovation Club is where local media leaders come together to look beyond what’s happening today and explore what’s next.

Designed exclusively for Local Media Association members, the Innovation Club is a collaborative forum for forward-thinking media professionals to step away from the day-to-day, explore emerging ideas and technologies, learn from one another and think about what their organizations should be testing, building and preparing for next.

Look around the corner

There are plenty of opportunities to learn about the tools and technologies available today. The Innovation Club is different.

Instead of asking, “How does this work?” we’ll ask:

What’s coming next?
What should local media companies be paying attention to now?
What should we be experimenting with?
Where are the next opportunities for growth, efficiency and audience engagement?

Each month, Innovation Club members will explore a timely, forward-looking topic with a focus on ideas that could have a meaningful impact on local media.

Topics may include:

  • Cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence
  • New opportunities in data and analytics
  • Emerging technology and platforms
  • Innovative approaches to revenue and audience growth
  • New tools, experiments and business models
  • Trends that could reshape how local media organizations operate and serve their communities

More than a webinar. A community of innovators.

The Innovation Club is designed to be interactive, collaborative and practical.

Members won’t simply listen to presentations. They’ll exchange ideas, share experiments, discuss what’s working — and what isn’t — and learn alongside peers who are tackling many of the same challenges.

It’s a place to ask questions, test assumptions and discover ideas you can bring back to your organization.

How it works

The Innovation Club meets once a month and is available exclusively to LMA member organizations.

Participating organizations are encouraged to identify an Innovation Club team of at least three people, bringing different perspectives and areas of expertise into the conversation. Sessions will intentionally remain small, typically bringing together approximately 20–25 participants, to encourage meaningful discussion and collaboration.

Think ahead. Experiment. Innovate.

Innovation rarely happens when everyone is focused only on today’s deadlines.

The LMA Innovation Club creates dedicated time to look ahead, connect with other innovators and explore the ideas that could shape the next chapter of local media.

Don’t just keep up with change. Help shape what comes next.

Join the LMA Innovation Club

The LMA Innovation Club is an exclusive benefit for Local Media Association members.

Interested in participating? Join the Innovation Club and bring your team into the conversation about what’s next for local media.

Please complete this form to join the Innovation Club.

LMA Innovation Club — Session Sponsorship Package

Overview

Sponsoring an LMA Innovation Club session puts your company in front of local media leaders at the moment they are focused on new ideas and tools. Each session is a live virtual call where publishers, revenue leaders and product teams learn from peers and experts, and one sponsor is featured per session.

As the exclusive session sponsor, you get three touchpoints: a live introduction at the top of the call, your materials in attendees’ hands, and a mention in the post-session write-up that keeps working after the call ends.

  • Audience: Leaders from local news organizations — publishers, executives, revenue, audience and product roles
  • Format: 60-minute live virtual session, held monthly
  • Exclusivity: one sponsor per session

What’s included

Pre-session recognition

  • Name on session promotion
  • Sponsor name included as “presented by” on the registration page and promotional emails.

Opening introduction

  • 3 minutes at the top of the call
  • A sponsor representative introduces the session topic and your company live, before the program begins. Slides or a short video are welcome within the 3 minutes.

Marketing materials to attendees

  • Your materials shared with every registered attendee
  • Shared as a link in the chat during the session and included in the follow-up email to registrants. Accepts a one-pager (PDF), a landing page or offer link, and an optional promo code.

Post-session write-up mention

  • Sponsor credit in the recap
  • Your company name, logo and a link appear in the session write-up published after the call, with a one-line “This session was sponsored by…” credit.

Investment and terms

  • Sponsorship is exclusive: one sponsor per session, confirmed first come, first served.
  • Payment is due [net 30 / before the session date] upon signed agreement.
  • LMA reviews sponsor intros and materials to make sure they fit the session; content should inform, not hard-sell.
  • Session topics and speakers are set by LMA; sponsors do not choose or present program content beyond their 3-minute introduction.

Cost: $1,000/session or 3 sessions for $2,500

Contact

Lindsey Estes · lindsey.estes@localmedia.org