Local News, Big Vision: A Conversation with Bridget Williams

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Jim Daily, CEO at OpenWeb. In our discussion, Jim and MSG cover:Jim’s journey from aspiring golf pro to global ad tech executive and CEO of OpenWebScaling Teads from a $10M French startup to a $700M global business and lessons from hypergrowthThe importance of hiring smarter people, empowering teams, and building disruptive productsThe shift from centralized platforms to decentralized publisher-owned communitiesAI disruption, the threat of “Google Zero,” and the future of traffic, monetization, and publisher sustainabilityThe untapped value of comments, user engagement data, and potential AI data marketplacesRunning global teams across multiple time zones and culturesBuilding sustainability for publishers through first-party engagement, distinct audience experiences, and vibrant communitiesAnd more.

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Pam Wasserstein, President and Vice Chair at Vox Media. In our discussion, MSG and Pam discuss:Pam’s journey from Harvard Law to M&A, private equity, and creative leadership at Tribeca Enterprises, New York Magazine, and Vox MediaLessons from leading New York Magazine’s digital transformation and brand portfolio expansionThe 2019 Vox Media–New York Magazine merger and building a diversified revenue model across content, commerce, and subscriptionsHow publishers can navigate AI disruption, copyright challenges, and shifting value exchanges with platformsThe threat of “Google Zero” and strategies for reducing platform dependencyThe enduring importance of journalism in the age of misinformation and AI-generated contentCommunity building through SB Nation’s sports fandom networks and audience engagementWhy first-party relationships and differentiated experiences matter more than ever in publishingAnd more.Check out all of our other conversations from Season 3 for great conversations with industry experts.

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Jessica Giles, Managing Director, Media and Publishing, Code and Theory. In our discussion, MSG and Jess discuss:Jess’s unconventional path from film school to brand strategy leadership via The New Yorker, Vogue, and Condé NastThe early magazine media and leadership lessons from Condé Nast cultureEvolving brand strategy for publishers in the digital age and shifting away from platform dependencyThe role of first-party data, loyalty loops, and closed ecosystems in audience engagement and monetizationCommunity-building and utility-focused product design as under-leveraged assets for publishersThe disruptive impact of AI and LLMs on lifestyle content, content parity, and search behaviorWhat makes a differentiated content experience in a commoditized internetHer outlook on the next generation of creative leadership in media and publishingAnd more.Check out all of our other conversations from Season 3 for great conversations with industry experts.

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Louise Story, Chief Executive Officer at Atlas Obscura. In our discussion, Louise and MSG cover:Louise’s rise from award-winning investigative journalist to Chief Product & Technology Officer and now CEO of Atlas ObscuraHow Google and social algorithms reshaped newsrooms, and why AI may flip the script againWhy “new news” is now more valuable than ever in the age of LLMsChallenges facing publishers reliant on evergreen or repackaged contentShifts in user behavior around search, queries, and the desire for answersLessons from building product, editorial, and tech at legacy media giantsWhat content companies must do to survive in a post-cookie, post-search worldThe power of community contribution, curiosity, and mission-driven journalismAnd more.New episodes of The Community Exchange Podcast are released each week. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to get the latest right in your feed.

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Bridget Williams, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Hearst Newspapers. In our discussion, MSG and Bridget discuss:Bridget’s dynamic 20+ year career across Business Insider, startups, and ultimately Hearst NewspapersThe rebirth of local journalism and its national relevanceBuilding digital products for real communities — not just consumersBridging editorial and product strategy in a legacy newsroomHow AI is powering new experiences for local reportingThe importance of first-party data in a cookie-less futureHearst’s innovative DevHub and tools like Assembly for government transparencyCreating data-driven advertising opportunities for local businessesThe vision for journalism in an age of mistrust and AIAnd more.New episodes of The Community Exchange Podcast are released each week. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to get the latest right in your feed.

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Lindsay Van Kirk, SVP and General Manager of Decipher at People Inc., to discuss:Her early days at AppNexus, scaling sales operations and learning from tough feedbackTransitioning across ops, strategy, and product roles to drive publisher-side innovationThe strategic foundation behind Decipher: intent-based data, cookieless targeting, and scalable ad solutionsThe unique partnership between People Inc. and OpenAIWhat “Google Zero” means for publishers and the push for diversified traffic and monetizationThe evolving role of AI in content creation, attribution, and marketplace equityWhy original human-created content is still irreplaceable in an AI-driven worldA positive outlook for the open internet built around first-party data and publisher empowermentAnd more.New episodes of The Community Exchange Podcast are released each week. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to get the latest right in your feed.

This is The Community Exchange Podcast, brought to you by OpenWeb: an interview podcast series featuring the leaders building the media ecosystem of the future.This season, our host is industry veteran Matthew Scott Goldstein (a.k.a. MSG). Each episode, he explores our guests’ journeys through the media world, the work they are currently doing, and how they’re shaping the media and publishing industry.Learn more about OpenWeb at ⁠http://www.openweb.com⁠

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Jennifer Salant, VP of Global Partnerships & Business Development at Conde Nast. In our discussion MSG and Jennifer cover:Jennifer’s journey from early business development roles to VP at Condé NastPioneering strategic partnerships and revenue streams at iVillage and Glam MediaThe evolution of digital media: From blogging networks to influencer-driven contentHow Condé Nast successfully built and monetized digital video on YouTube and FAST channelsThe role of AI in publishing: Challenges, opportunities, and strategies for monetizationContent licensing, partnerships, and the future of publisher-platform relationshipsThe shifting landscape of media consumption and the rise of direct audience engagementPredictions for the future of publishing, AI’s impact, and protecting high-quality contentAnd more.New episodes of The Community Exchange Podcast are released each week. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to get the latest right in your feed.

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Will Lee, CEO of Adweek.In our discussion, MSG and Will cover:Will Lee’s journey from finance to leading major media brands The transformation of digital media from print to online journalismHow AI is reshaping advertising, creativity, and media strategyThe evolving role of agencies and marketers in a digital-first worldThe business of media: monetization strategies and revenue modelsThe growing importance of first-party data and audience engagementThe future of industry events and their impact on media networkingLeadership lessons from running top media organizationsAnd more.New episodes of The Community Exchange Podcast are released each week. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to get the latest right in your feed.

In this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Gabriel DeWitt, Head of Monetization at Yahoo.In our discussion, MSG and Gabriel cover: Gabriel’s journey from software engineering to ad tech leadership Digital advertising's evolution from direct sales to programmatic Header bidding's rise and its impact on the open internet Challenges of monetization, privacy regulations, and the cookie collapse The ongoing battle between the open internet and walled gardens Yahoo's role in shaping the future of digital advertising The impact of AI and automation on ad tech and monetization strategies How publishers can adapt to a post-cookie world The future of identity and targeting in a privacy-first landscapeAnd more.New episodes of The Community Exchange Podcast are released each week. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to get the latest right in your feed.