RTDNA @ LMA Fest 2026

As part of our World Tour, RTDNA will join the Local Media Association for their LMA Fest 2026 in Chicago this summer. Join us August 18-20 to network with other colleagues and hear from top industry leaders.

RTDNA is hosting a two part breakout session in partnership with Northeastern University's Reinventing Local TV News Project on August 18 at 1:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

What Newsrooms Must Do Now to Reach Younger Audiences and Why Journalism’s Future Depends on It
Local TV newsrooms are struggling to reach younger audiences, but there’s a proven model to win them over. Northeastern University’s Reinventing Local TV News Project spent a year embedding Digital Content Creators inside three major-market newsrooms — WCBS, WLS, and WCVB — to produce platform-native content built specifically for social media and digital audiences. The project also surveyed adults 18-34 nationwide to understand how Millennials and Gen Z actually consume local news today.

In this 90-minute hands-on session, Northeastern researchers Mike Beaudet and Lisa Thalhamer join forces with one of their Digital Content Creator Fellows for a two-part deep dive. The first half makes the research-backed case for why the Digital Content Creator role isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a lifeline for stations serious about their future. The second half gets practical: The Digital Content Creator walks through what the job actually looks like day-to-day, from shooting tips and tricks to planning content across multiple platforms and formats.

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