On the five-year anniversary of Responsibly Different™, we're diving deep into why healthy media ecosystems matter—not just for brands, but for the very fabric of our communities and democracy. Our Founder Chris and Impact Director Benn reflect on the last 5 years of the podcast and the next chapter of the Responsibly Different™ podcast.

Did you know counties that lose their local newspapers see a 2-3% drop in voter turnout? Or that 75% of Americans trust local news compared to only 58% who trust national outlets? As these vital information sources struggle financially, the ripple effects touch everything from civic engagement to community health outcomes.

The podcast explores how programmatic buying, while efficient, often delivers just pennies on the dollar to publishers compared to direct relationships. This financial reality has forced newsrooms to stretch resources dangerously thin, cutting staff and replacing local content with syndicated material. Host Chris Marine shares firsthand experiences from his early career in journalism, painting a vivid picture of what happens when newsrooms lack adequate funding.

We're examining the tension between efficiency and responsibility in media planning. While direct publisher relationships require more time and human interaction, they create stronger partnerships, better placements, and support vital community resources. However, the traditional marketing timeline—where media is treated as the last box to check—makes this approach difficult to execute effectively.

The conversation shifts to how AI and technology advancements are enabling more relevant, contextual messaging that respects audience mindsets throughout their day. Rather than viewing these tools as replacements for human judgment, we see them as opportunities to free marketers to focus on the ethical dimensions of their work.

Listen now to join our exploration of media's role in society and how brands can leverage their advertising investments as a force for good while achieving business objectives. Subscribe to Fireside for more conversations about responsible media practices that strengthen rather than deplete our information ecosystem.

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