E&P Reports with Mike Blinder

Dave Morgan, a digital media pioneer who helped shape the evolution of online advertising, offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities facing local news in this episode of E&P Reports. From the rise of AI and social video to the limitations of subscription models, Morgan shares why traditional revenue strategies are faltering and what publishers should focus on instead. He also explores how local news organizations can rethink their business models, embrace new advertising approaches and stay relevant in a rapidly shifting media landscape.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/dave-morgan-on-the-future-of-local-news-embracing-ai-social-video-and-a-startup-mindset,253972

As the local news industry continues to evolve, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) remain a crucial part of its future. While challenges persist, opportunities for strategic growth and sustainability are expanding for both buyers and sellers.

In this discussion, Sara April, president of Dirks, Van Essen & April, and John Thomas Cribb, director of Cribb & Associates, share their insights into current trends in media valuations, the impact of digital transformation, and key strategies for those looking to buy or sell media organizations.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/navigating-media-mergers-trends-valuations-and-future-projections,253862

Meta's recent announcement to end its third-party fact-checking program by January 2025 has sent ripples through the media and fact-checking industries. To unpack the implications of this decision, Editor & Publisher Publisher Mike Blinder spoke with Katie Sanders, editor-in-chief of PolitiFact, a Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking organization under the Poynter Institute.

Access more on this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/metas-fact-checking-shift-katie-sanders-on-whats-next-for-politifact-and-the-news-industry,253729

The Baltimore Banner, a nonprofit news organization, closed out 2024 with remarkable achievements, positioning itself as a model for sustainable local journalism in 2025. With 55,000 paid subscribers, a rapidly growing newsroom, and diversified revenue streams, the Banner is proving that innovation and community focus can drive success. Editor & Publisher (E&P) spoke with CEO Bob Cohn and Chief Revenue Officer Sharon Nevins to explore their strategies and vision for the year ahead.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/building-momentum-into-2025-how-the-baltimore-banner-is-shaping-the-future-of-local-journalism,253616

By blending investigative rigor with a commitment to public service, USA TODAY has once again showcased the impact of journalism. Editor-in-Chief Caren Bohan joined E&P Reports to discuss a remarkable story that began as a feel-good reunion and evolved into a layered investigation highlighting systemic issues and ethical complexities. Bohan shared insights on how the USA TODAY newsroom navigated the twists and turns of this compelling case while adhering to its mission of accountability journalism.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/public-service-journalism-at-its-best-how-usa-today-shined-a-light-on-a-complex-story,253418

In his seventh appearance on E&P Reports, Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates, joined Mike Blinder to preview insights from his firm's latest advertiser survey and its implications for the media industry. Borrell Associates, widely regarded as a leading authority on local advertising trends, has released its fall 2024 survey, gathering data from over 1,100 advertisers and 122 agencies. The findings shed light on evolving advertiser preferences, challenges in media sales and strategies for 2025.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/gordon-borrell-discusses-key-insights-from-the-fall-2024-advertiser-study,253280

In the heart of Galveston County, a unique initiative is revitalizing local businesses and community engagement through an overlooked form of currency — the $2 bill. The Galveston Daily News, under the leadership of Publisher Leonard Woolsey and spearheaded by Michelle Robinson, its chief revenue director, has rolled out the "$2 Shopping Challenge," a program designed to encourage residents to spend locally while creating a buzz around community investment.

The campaign combines creativity, community spirit and economic strategy, fostering relationships between businesses and consumers while demonstrating the impact of shopping locally. The challenge has gained traction through partnerships with Moody Bank, local chambers of commerce and economic development corporations, offering a model for other regions to emulate.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/woolsey-and-robinson-on-why-local-spending-starts-with-a-2-bill,253179

In a recent episode of E&P Reports, Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), shared his insights on the potential impact of a second Trump administration on press freedom. With over five decades of experience in journalism and media law, Osterreicher offered a candid and comprehensive perspective on the challenges facing the news industry and the steps needed to address them.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/defending-press-freedom-in-uncertain-times-mickey-osterreicher-on-the-challenges-ahead,253122

In a landmark case with significant implications for journalism and democracy, Emmerich Newspapers Inc., Helena World Chronicle and Boone Newspapers have joined forces in a class-action lawsuit against Google, challenging what they describe as an unfair "tying" relationship. Filed in December 2023, Helena World Chronicle LLC v. Google LLC alleges that Google's control over search and content indexing is undermining publishers' abilities to attract traffic and monetize content independently. In this interview, Wyatt Emmerich, president of Emmerich Newspapers, shared insights into the lawsuit's motivations, the road ahead, and what's at stake for the news industry.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/a-legal-stand-against-google-wyatt-emmerich-on-helena-world-v-google-and-the-battle-for,252901

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, in partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft, has introduced a $10 million AI Collaborative and Fellowship program to support innovation, sustainability, and new business models across five major U.S. metro newsrooms. Lenfest CEO Jim Friedlich, in a discussion on E&P Reports, highlighted how the initiative leverages AI for diverse newsroom applications, from business model optimization to increasing public data accessibility. The program aims to restore the depth of local reporting through AI-assisted research, enabling newsrooms to cover more ground with limited resources. Beyond the initial fellows, the program aspires to scale its impact, offering frameworks and tools for industry-wide adoption that reinforce the sustainability of journalism in an AI-driven future.

Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/inside-the-lenfest-openai-microsoft-partnership-one-on-one-with-jim-friedlich,252790