Ignite 2025: Fueling the Future of Media with Bold Predictions and Visionary Leadership

Attendees can mingle and enjoy meeting new peers. 

In this session, we'll will analyze the evolving media landscape, highlighting key innovations shaping the future of media, broadcasting, and publishing. The discussion will focus on how publishers made the right strategic bets in 2024, the current industry landscape, and predictions for the future, offering insights on how organizations can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment along with what they hope to expect from the day.

AI is everywhere — even in search. But despite its growing presence, the key to a winning SEO strategy isn't robots and LLMs — it's people. Learn the best ways to exemplify and illustrate the human experience in your work from news SEO experts Jessie and Shelby.

SPEAKERS:  

Jessie Willlms, SEO Editor, The Guardian 

Shelby Blackley, Manager - Newsroom SEO, The Athletic


 

Discuss the morning conversations and meet new folks! 

The battle for audience attention is fierce - so what makes a news app that drives engagement and retention? This sessio in n dives into the winning strategies of today, with first hand insights from The Baltimore Banner and The Logic. They’ll share what’s working for them today as well as revealing their bold plans for mobile. In this panel session you’ll get actionable takeaways that’ll help shape your mobile strategy for 2025 and beyond.

SPEAKERS:  

Amanda Roth - The Logic  

Biswajit Ganguly, The Baltimore Banner 

In today’s fragmented media landscape, publishers must diversify revenue beyond traditional ad sales.  This session explores how publishers can borrow from the creator economy—using first-party data, subscriptions, and content extensions like video and events—to build diverse, sustainable revenue streams. The takeaway: revenue resilience comes from a diversified approach—those who adapt will thrive, while those reliant on a single stream risk stagnation.

SPEAKER:

Dustin Titus, Chief Revenue Office @ Zoomer Media 

In this fireside chat, Richa Deshwal, Technical Project Manager at The Globe and Mail, will discuss how the publication uses AI and data analytics to enhance content strategies and audience engagement. Richa will share insights on how AI transforms editorial decision-making, personalizes content, and unlocks valuable audience insights. Attendees will learn how to integrate AI into newsroom workflows, use predictive analytics, and create data-driven content strategies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

SPEAKER:

Richa Deshwal, The Globe and Mail 

Increasingly, publishers must think of scale not as a means to an end, but as the beginning of a user journey. The bigger a platform’s scale, the more circles they can draw around valuable cohorts. This session digs into user funnels, KPIs that matter at each stage of the journey, potential conversion points, and, most important, what to do with your readers as they grow in loyalty.

 

SPEAKER:

Josh Awtry, Newsweek

Organizations chase innovation but often overlook their greatest asset: people. This panel explores how change management, leadership programs, and AI-driven insights can shape resilient, people-first organizations. Learn how to balance human potential with technology for lasting success.

 

SPEAKERS:

Erin Valois, Postmedia

Takara Small, BBC & CBC

In this dynamic executive roundtable session, industry leaders will share their bold predictions and key moves for 2025 and beyond. These trailblazers will provide insights into the future of media, publishing, and digital transformation, discussing how they are positioning their organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. From innovations in AI and data analytics to strategies for audience engagement and new revenue streams, this session will explore the big bets that will define success in the next era of media.

With diverse perspectives from top executives, attendees will gain valuable insights into the strategies that will shape the industry’s future and leave with actionable takeaways for navigating the challenges and opportunities of 2025.

 

SPEAKERS:

Biswajit Ganguly, CTO @ Baltimore Banner

Barbara Escoto, VP Digital Product, Bell Media

Josh Awtry, VP @ Newsweek

Get ready for an engaging and unpredictable session as a group of industry "leaders" take the stage to share their bold predictions and radical strategies for the future of media, publishing, and technology. These experts will explore everything from AI and audience engagement to data-driven content creation, offering unique insights and controversial takes on where the industry is headed.

Expect lively debates, shocking predictions, and some unexpected twists as these leaders navigate the most pressing challenges facing the industry in 2025 and beyond. You won’t want to miss this unforgettable session—prepare for insights, surprises, and plenty of thought-provoking moments!