The News Nirvana Podcast

Ep. 45: Julia Campbell on LMA labs and the power of cause marketing

Julia Campbell has a fantastic title; Chief Business Transformation Officer just sounds cool. You might think she's a "robot in disguise", or you could just think the Local Media Association executive has one of those jobs where she gets to play with all the new toys and work with members to establish innovative and sustainable systems for their news organizations. One of those—the latter, of course—is actually correct. In this episode, Julia sits down with host Nick Parker to talk about LMA's labs and the power coming from those exchanges and learning environments, as well as one of her favorite topics, cause marketing.

Ep. 44: Hyper-local content & personal connections at the heart of TravelHost's renaissance

Let's get back to our roots. It's not that the phrase is almost a cliche, it is a cliche. But here's the thing about cliches—they exist because they're true. So, whether it's going back to their roots or getting back to basics, Orestes Baez and Scott Davis are committed to a personal and hyper-local approach that has brought new life to a national niche publication, TravelHost. Just 18 months after taking over the print and digital publication, Baez and Davis join News Nirvana host Nick Parker for an in depth conversation about their business and vision for the future.

Ep. 43: Unveiling journalistic tricks & tools for today's reporters

Join host Nick Parker in a riveting conversation with veteran journalist Mike Reilley as they delve into the behind-the-scenes tales of newsrooms past and the essential tools every journalist needs in today's rapidly evolving media landscape. From swapping stories to unveiling the secrets behind Reilley's popular Journalist's Toolbox, this episode offers insights for both seasoned reporters and aspiring journalists alike. Discover how Reilley's journey from reporter to educator has shaped the latter part of his career as a newsroom trainer and Senior Lecturer of digital and data journalism at the University of Illinois-Chicago. 

Ep. 42: Leveraging the power of the collective

Ask Tobias Bennett what excites him about the media industry and you'll get the same answer every time—it's the unknown. Bennett, VP of Partnerships and Revenue, and Fran Wills, CEO, for Local Media Consortium join host Nick Parker for a look into the current state of the news industry, and how their association helps member organizations traverse the ever-changing landscape and embrace what comes next. 

Ep. 41: Aligning your local media organization with your purpose

Veteran editor and digital news guru Bob Rose joins host Nick Parker on this latest episode of the News Nirvana Podcast.  Their in-depth conversation focuses on rebuilding trust and fostering partnerships with the communities we cover. The episode also explores the importance of aligning our content with both our varied modes of delivery and with the business partners we look to for continued revenue.

Ep. 40: Where did we come from, where do we go?

Host Nick Parker and producer Cherry Wolf take a look back at the 2023 season of the News Nirvana podcast reflecting on some favorite episodes, why the show is important to them, and some guests they're looking forward to in 2024.

Ep. 39: Balancing journalism with the business of supporting it

Industry expert Gordon Borrell joins host Nick Parker to discuss the evolving relationship between editorial and business. The two explore challenges faced by media outlets when adapting to the ever-changing advertising trends all while maintaining impactful news coverage. Reflecting on past revenue models versus modern equivalents, Borrell offers valuable insights into the ongoing evolution of news media.

Ep. 38: Navigating the shift to digital-first

In this episode of the News Nirvana podcast, Jared Frank from KHQ-TV and Josh Kidd from Block Communications join host Nick Parker to explore the challenges we may face adopting a digital-first mindset. The conversation delves into content repurposing strategies, the immediate impact of digital channels, and the importance of owning digital spaces amid social media's uncertain future. Listen as they navigate the evolving digital landscape and strategies in media and broadcasting.

Ep. 37: Unlocking the digital video landscape with Sean Evans

In this episode of the News Nirvana podcast, host Nick Parker engages in a conversation with Sean Evans, Director of OTT and Video at BLOX Digital. Together, they explore the dynamic realm of digital video, shedding light on platforms, audience growth strategies, and revenue maximization. Sean’s transition from a software development background to the world of broadcast news is a compelling example of our industry's adaptability. From clarifying essential terms like FAST channel and OTT to offering valuable insights, this episode underscores the value of embracing video both as a fundamental component of news delivery and as a revenue generator.

Ep. 36: Embracing branded content campaigns

David Arkin returns to the podcast to talk about working with news organizations to understand and embrace branded content campaigns—and the new revenue streams that come with it.