In addition to the many sessions we've highlighted at next week's Mega-Conference, here are some additional great programs that conference attendees will be able to select from during the Tuesday afternoon concurrent sessions:
REINVENTING THE OBITUARY MODEL
As the value and role of the traditional newspaper obit continues to be reassessed by both funeral homes and families, various publishers are testing new obituary strategies that protect revenue, strengthen relevance and restore newspapers as the primary destination for community death announcement content.
Panelists: Otis Brumby, publisher, Marietta Daily Journal and Neighbor Newspapers; Chase Heatherly, chief revenue officer, The Post and Courier; and Tyler Schoening, director of inside sales-advertising, Lee Enterprises
TURNING "BEST OF" INTO A SCALABLE REVENUE ENGINE
How modernizing events programs with ecommerce-style advertising and text-to-vote functionality can unlock meaningful incremental revenue. Small operational changes with scalable financial impact across multiple markets.
Panelists: Julie Foley, senior customer success manager, Second Street; Vince Johnson, group publisher, Gulf Coast Media; and Reilly Kneedler, product strategy and audience engagement consultant
FROM THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION: MANAGING MAIL COSTS AND PROTECTING DISTRIBUTION
Postal rates, policy shifts and evolving USPS requirements continue to reshape the economics of print distribution. This session reviews recent and upcoming postal changes, new programs and practical steps publishers can take to optimize mail preparation, control postage costs and improve delivery performance.
Panelists: Brad Hill, CEO, Interlink, and Jeremy Gulban, CEO, CherryRoad Media
HARNESSING VERTICAL VIDEO TO DRIVE HABIT, RETAIN SUBSCRIBERS AND ENGAGE YOUNGER AUDIENCES
Short-form vertical video has reshaped how audiences consume content, particularly younger readers who increasingly expect news in swipeable, feed-based formats. This session explores how publishers are integrating TikTok-style vertical storytelling directly into their own apps as part of a broader product and subscription strategy.
Panelists: Jonny Kaldor, CEO, Pugpig, and Chris Patheiger, COO, Best Version Media
REVOLUTIONIZING SUBSCRIBER EXPERIENCE: THE CX, IVR, SMS STRATEGY THAT BOOSTED CUSTOMER AND AGENT SATISFACTION
A detailed case study on how two of America's most respected, privately owned newspapers successfully transformed their outdated communication platforms into a modern, cloud-based system with TCN.
Panelists: Tony Ort, director, media relationships, TCN, and Priscilla Binkely, subscriber retention director, The Advocate
FUTURE-PROOFING GROWTH: STREAMLINING AD OPERATIONS
Is your advertising operation a puzzle made up of too many disconnected pieces? The Post and Courier faced the same challenge. Learn their blueprint for addressing operational pain points, streamlining workflows and building a scalable foundation for long-term growth.
Panelists: Chase Heatherly, chief revenue officer, The Post and Courier, and Daryl Kern, head of global presales, Lineup Systems
