NYPA & NENPA Fall Publishers Conference

Agenda

Thursday

3:00 —4:30 PM  

Getting to Know Each Other/Great Idea Exchange      
Gavin Menu

6:00 Cocktails and Dinner at Gracie’s

 

Friday

9:00 —10:15 AM       

Begin With WE

Kyle McDowell, Best Selling Author

Former Fortune 10 executive turned bestselling author, media personality, and leadership coach Kyle McDowell will share his proven framework for building a culture of excellence - the same framework used while leading tens of thousands of employees at some of the biggest firms in America.  McDowell’s trademarked principles, the 10 WEs, are ten principles that establish the foundation for a system of beliefs and govern how the team treats one another and those the team serves.  By establishing a common framework and cultural currency that drives better results and more engaged, authentic leaders, The WEs provide a simple, direct, and relatable antidote to the leadership dysfunction that afflicts teams around the world.  The 10 WEs have proven to be the change agent to align any organization on its quest for excellence.  The result of this alignment is a team with an unshakable bond and resolve to embrace (and conquer) the biggest challenges in business - while reconnecting team members with the passion and fulfillment they deserve.

  

10:30 — 11:45 AM   

AI in Local Journalism

Nicco Mele

With over 20 years of experience in media, technology, and social innovation, Nicco Mele is a Venture Partner at Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK), a leading venture philanthropy that supports exceptional social entrepreneurs.  He works with a diverse portfolio of six DRK organizations, providing them with early funding, strategic guidance, and operational support to achieve digital excellence, market leadership, and financial sustainability. 

In this session we’ll discuss the threats, opportunities, challenges, and impact – intentional or otherwise – of AI on local journalism.

 

12:00 — 1:00 PM      

Lunch

 

1:15 — 2:30  PM       

Best Practices for Expanding Newsletter Operations

Adriana Lacy, Nicco Mele & Ayasha Choudhury

Game changer!  Newsletters are outbound engagement tools – curated and customized to increase engagement and loyalty.  This impactful panel discussion will share best practices and strategies from concept through delivery.

With over 20 years of experience in media, technology, and social innovation, Nicco Mele is a Venture Partner at Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK), a leading venture philanthropy that supports exceptional social entrepreneurs

Adriana Lacy is the digital and engagement editor at the Neiman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard.

Ayasha Choudhury

 

2:45 — 4:00  PM       

Civil Discourse

Eve Pearlman

Spaceship co-founder Eve Pearlman will talk about how dialogue journalism can engage audiences and foster civil discourse.  “We’re not here to change people’s minds – we’re here to reduce polarization and build communities by fostering constructive conversations.”  The key to navigating differences starts at home, so how can community newspaper publishers cool down the conversations in the communities you serve?

 

 6:00 PM     

Cocktail Reception & Dinner – Hemenway’s

 

Saturday

8:00 — 9:00 AM• Breakfast 
                         

9:15 —10:30 AM         

Local Media Website Hub
Christian Scherbel & Guy Tasaka

Industry veterans Guy Tasaka and Christian Scherbel will identify key strategies publishers can leverage to significantly boost digital revenues, both in the short term and sustainably over the long term.  Drawing from best practices implemented by more than 500 publishers across Europe, Guy and Christian will offer a comprehensive analysis of what works and what doesn't in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.

They will emphasize the importance of prioritizing both readers and advertisers, and re-establishing newspapers as the central hub for local communities.

Key Takeaways:

• Historical Insights: An overview of the major developments in local media over the past 25 years globally.
• Revenue Strategies: Key levers publishers can use to increase digital revenues quickly and sustainably.
• Embracing 1st Party Data: practical ways  to leverage this valuable information
• Best Practices: Successful strategies from 500+ European publishers who have navigated similar challenges.
• Actionable Measures: Practical steps to implement the insights from their analysis and avoid common pitfalls.
• Future Outlook: A positive vision for the future of local media, emphasizing the importance of community engagement.

 

10:30 — 11:45 AM   

Adapting to Rapidly Evolving Consumer Preference 

Jeremy Gilbert

 

12:00 — 2:00 PM      

Lunch -  NYPA Annual Meeting/NENPA Awards

 

2:15 — 3:30 PM        

Journalism Needs Leaders Who Know How to Run a Business

Laura Krantz McNeill

Laura Krantz McNeill is senior product editor for the Chronicle of Higher Education.  In a recent piece for Neiman Reports she wrote that journalism needs leaders who know how to run a business.  In this session she’ll explain why publishers need to think like product managers and why they need to be leaders who can strategize and who are in communication with their communities; who are excited about being entrepreneurs and see opportunity in chaos; who evangelize about our mission and whose devotion brings others along; who consider themselves stewards and position our organizations, and more importantly, our people for success.  Join us for this important conversation.

3:45 — 5:00 PM    

Mastering the Shift: Growing Audiences Amid Social Traffic Slumps and the GenAI Surge

 Kerry Twibell & Allison Mezzafonte

5:30 PM     

WaterFire – cocktails, food trucks, and fun.

4 North Main Street