Nexstar Launching Series Of Media Symposiums

Nexstar Media Group today announced the launch of “The NEXT Series,” a collection of exclusive symposiums designed to bring together thought leaders and influential voices to examine critical issues related to media, content and advertising.

The series kicks off with “The Power of News: Growing Brands and Serving Communities,” a symposium that underscores the vital relationships between media, brands and journalism.  The inaugural symposium will explore the important connection between unbiased news and influential brands, and how advertising during news broadcasts can enhance brand reputation. Presented in collaboration with Ad Fontes Media, the event will take place at New York City’s Paley Center for Media on Tuesday, Nov. 14, and will feature a gathering of journalists and media executives as panelists and guest speakers.

Featured speakers include: George Will, Pulitzer Prize-winner and Washington Post senior political contributor; Chris Cuomo, host of Cuomo on NewsNation; Cherie Grzech, SVP of news and managing editor of NewsNation; Bob Cusack, editor-in-chief, The Hill; Rod Carter, evening news anchor, WNCN Raleigh, N.C.; Vanessa Otero, founder- CEO, Ad Fontes Media; Rishad Tobaccowala (author of Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in the Age of Data); and John Battelle, entrepreneur, journalist, author and founder of Wired magazine.

A full list of the participants can be found here.

“We are excited to bring this distinguished group together to examine the critical roles that news, advertising, and brand-building play in creating and sustaining an informed citizenry,” said Michael Strober, Nexstar’s chief revenue officer. “As the nation’s largest owner of local television stations, with news being delivered across our 200 owned or partner stations and two leading national news platforms — The Hill and NewsNation — we believe it is our responsibility to elevate the conversation about the importance of supporting news and journalism. It is our hope that this symposium will demonstrate the enduring value of connecting television news audiences with the country’s leading advertisers.”

“News of world and political events is top of mind for everyone right now, and that focus and attention on news is only going to increase throughout the upcoming election year,” Otero said “Now is the time for brands to step off the sidelines and invest in high-quality news, and not just because it is the right thing to do for journalism, democracy, and civil society. They should invest because it is truly one of the most lucrative advertising opportunities in recent memory due to a confluence of factors. The premium audiences are there, they are demanding reliable information and paying attention to it, and news inventory has been systematically undervalued in the past eight to ten years. Brands attending this symposium will truly understand these factors and be putting themselves ahead of the pack in the coming year.”

Nexstar will host additional symposiums throughout 2024 that will highlight an array of topical issues and explore the challenges faced within the brand and media community. Future events will explore topics such as “Sports and Social Good,” designed to address how sports and social responsibility impact brands, and “Journalism and AI,” which will examine how AI is affecting integrity in journalism and how broadcasters are protecting the validity of authentic news content and ensuring its credibility.