Additional coverage of Mega will continue in our newsletters

Advocating for the newspaper industry and local communities

Working together as a united front to benefit newspapers, communities and democracy

Joining Dean Ridings, CEO of America's Newspapers, on stage was Chris McCannell, director/senior government affairs advisor with GrayRobinson, who reminded members of the value that their involvement in advocacy brings to the table. McCannell encouraged them to maintain ongoing, continual dialogues with their legislators and to ensure that those communications are two-way dialogues to continue building relationships.

Read Dean Ridings' column: "Why Congress must act to sustain local news" — on the E&P Magazine website

Cindy Durham | America's Newspapers
The relationships that members of America's Newspapers have with their legislators have proven tremendously important this year in helping to generate support in Congress for the Community News and Small Business Support Act, Dean Ridings, CEO of America's Newspapers, told attendees at the Mega-Conference.

With the recent addition of five more co-sponsors, the Community News and Small Business Support Act (H.R. 4756) now has 46 co-sponsors, with a fairly even number of Democrats and Republicans supporting the legislation. 

AI's impact on local news

Medill's Jeremy Gilbert addresses the Mega-Conference

Jeremy Gilbert, professor and Knight Chair in Digital Media Strategy at Medill, Northwestern University
Cindy Durham | America's Newspapers
AI is impacting the local news environment at a rapid speed.  During a talk at the 2024 Mega-Conference, Jeremy Gilbert, professor and Knight Chair in Digital Media Strategy at Medill, Northwestern University, highlighted the potential for AI to transform the news industry, enhance performance and maintain trust.
View PowerPoints from 2024 Mega-Conference

PowerPoints from the following sessions at the 2024 Mega-Conference may be downloaded from this page. These materials are intended for use by conference participants. They may not be reproduced or further distributed without the permission of the speakers and America's Newspapers.

The AI Impact on Local News

Jeremy Gilbert, Professor and Knight Chair in Digital Media Strategy at Medill, Northwestern University

Digital Product Development: Building a Lasting Book of Business

Robert Young, GM, Advertising, The Advocate, NOLA, and Melissa Sheehan, CRO, AdCellerant

Strategic Philanthropy

Greg Burton, Executive Editor, The Arizona Republic; Laura McBride, Senior Program Officer, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust; Stacy Sullivan, Director of Local Philanthropic Partnerships, USA TODAY Network | Gannett; and Andrea Whitsett, Director, Morrison Institute on Public Policy, Arizona State University

Additional PowerPoints may be available soon.