Google and Salesforce Executives Will Speak on Maximizing Revenue, Creating New Value, and Increasing Diversity and Sustainable Digital Strategies in the Industry

The Local Media Consortium and the Local Media Association, two of the local media industry’s most innovative organizations, announced the keynote speakers for Elevate! 2019, the organizations’ first joint conference. Being held in Chicago Sept. 17-19, the event will provide members, partners and local industry influencers with the opportunity to participate, engage and learn about vital industry topics such as consumer experience, consumer revenue, branded content and digital innovation.

“After years of collaboration, and with the goal of continuing to build a viable future for local journalism in a diverse digital age, the LMC and LMA are joining forces at Elevate! to share innovation and business models in local media,” said Fran Wills, CEO of the LMC. “Through this collaboration, and with the support and input of our members and partners, our conference will provide many opportunities for gathering creative ideas and insights to benefit local media companies.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, Jason Washing, managing director of global partnerships and partner business solutions at Google, will participate in an interview-style keynote. As the head of a team that defines and implements Google’s solutions for the news and magazine industry, Washing will discuss solutions for driving maximum revenue and profitability.

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On Thursday, Sept. 19, Ann Hintzman, senior director and practice lead Central/East Salesforce Ignite team, will lead a presentation titled, “Are you ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution?” Her address will explore the new context for business, share the mindsets and disciplines of organizations creating new value and help diagnose where media companies stand.

Additionally, a diversity workshop and lunch, sponsored by the Google News Initiative, will feature a keynote address by Mekka Okereke, engineering director for growth on Google Play, one of the largest digital marketplaces on earth.

“We are excited to combine the resources of the LMA and LMC to welcome such a diverse and high caliber lineup of speakers and agenda topics for this inaugural joint conference,” said Nancy Lane, president of the LMA. “The name says it best; Elevate! will be about local media taking digital strategies to a whole new level and we look forward to thought-provoking discussions.”

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The conference will also present the outcomes and progress of The Branded Content Project – a joint initiative of LMA, LMC and the Facebook Journalism Project – which provides dedicated resources to help news organizations better understand, develop and implement revenue streams through branded content. Additional workshops will focus on reader revenue strategies, high quality customer experiences and digital innovation.

With its hands-on format, Elevate! will give attendees the opportunity to participate, engage and learn about vital industry topics.

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