In this episode of Keep It Local, host Ryan Welton of Local Media Association sits down with John Rust, Sho Rust, and Michael Machiah to talk about PubGen.AI, an AI-powered content management system built by PubGen.AI and Rust Communications.

Learn how PubGen.ai is transforming newsrooms with AI-driven efficiency, grounded in local journalism ethics and archives. The team shares why they built the platform, how it streamlines editorial and business operations, and why they believe journalism deserves better technology.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Rust Communications decided to build a new CMS from scratch
• How PubGen.ai boosts newsroom efficiency and revenue
• What makes this platform different from other CMS options
• Why grounding AI in local archives is critical for trust and community relevance
• Real-world results: 228% digital revenue growth in 90 days

If your newsroom is exploring AI or CMS upgrades, this is a conversation you can’t miss.

Links & Resources:

• PubGen.ai: https://pubgen.ai
• Contact Sho Rust: [email protected]
• Learn more about Local Media Association: https://localmedia.org