Networking Breakfast

Welcome Remarks

David Foster
Chairman, Business Valuation Resources and 2024 Renewd Summit Conference Chair

Keynote: Combining Media and Subscriptions - A Renewd Success Story

Discover the innovative fusion of media and subscriptions during this keynote session. You'll learn how pioneering strategies revolutionized engagement and revenue streams in real-world examples. Get insights you won't find elsewhere, and uncover the challenges and opportunities for specialized information publishers.

• Learn about pioneering approaches that blend media and subscription models.
• Get firsthand accounts of successful strategies that overcame obstacles and fueled growth.
• Discover how integrating media and subscriptions creates new avenues for content delivery, customer retention, and revenue growth!

Jacob Cohen Donnelly
Founder, A Media Operator

Product Strategies: The Road to Successful Enterprise Sales

This is a time of radical change and product development, and “road mapping” is the central part of that revolution. This is an opportunity to learn from two of our profession’s top product management experts as they discuss the revolutionary changes they’ve led to:

• increase value
• introduce the voice of the customer
• fuel growth from mature and small markets
• energize their key customers and internal leaders
• increase connection with a growing number of professionals within their largest accounts
• introduce new revenue streams
• accelerate new product launches
• strengthen their brands, and
• much more.

You’ll learn to affect powerful product change in your organization—and see the tools and processes (templates, meetings, and even Excel files!) these organizations used to succeed.

Stacey Bailey
Vice President, Chartwell

Elizabeth Petersen
Chief Content Officer, Business Valuation Resources

Networking Break & Meetups

How AI is Changing the Game for Your Content and Your Users

Explore what future market demands are likely to be — and how media, events, and information companies need to adapt to meet them. We'll cover the developing impacts of Generative AI and its role in changing user expectations about interacting with content and data.

• Get questions answered, such as "How will users of the future be different?"
• Learn how to anticipate evolving customer needs with future-trend insights.
• Get the skinny on emerging technologies that will really matter for your business when it comes to customer interactions.

Jennifer Schivas
CEO of 67 Bricks

Will Bailey
Head of Partnerships at 67 Bricks

Unlocking the Value of your Audience

Your audience is your best protection against the unpredictable media landscape. But as Omeda's just-released "State of Audience" Report shows, most media companies don't have a set plan for developing, engaging and monetizing their audiences. In this session, Tony Napoleone, Omeda's VP of Client Experience, will present key findings from the State of Audience Report and share what the best media and publishing leaders are doing to breakthrough. Along the way, he'll:

• Present a foundation for creating an organization-wide audience development strategy
• Discuss why media companies are struggling to engage their audiences — and suggest tried-and-true ways to overcome those challenges
• Share actionable ways to use your first-party data to personalize your content, simplify your workflows and identify new revenue opportunities

Tony Napoleone
VP, Client Experience, Omeda

Lunch / Networking

Awards / Annual Meeting

Ed Coburn
CEO, Cabot Wealth Network

Growing Subscription Revenue at Scale – The EndPoints Case Study

Learn how Endpoints News dramatically increased its subscription revenue after selling a majority stake to the Financial Times group and joining the FT Specialist division.

• Understand the strategy and investments behind the growth.
• Hear about the communications, license structures, and pricing options offered to customers.
• Learn how customer objections were resolved.

Dan Fink
Managing Director, FT Specialist

Ed Coburn
CEO, Cabot Wealth Network (Moderator)

Focusing on Existing Customers to Unlock Growth

Many established companies often prioritize acquiring new customers to fuel their growth and may overlook or take for granted their most valuable asset: existing customers. According to McKinsey & Company, 80% of the value created by successful growth companies comes from their core business – specifically, generating new revenue from existing companies. In a media business where each customer represents multiple buying points individually – membership, e-learning and conference attendance – how do you effectively generate more revenue per customer? How do you take a customer from buying an attendee pass and expand their investment to include membership or e-learning? In larger organizations, how can you expand one person spending $2,000 into a company spending five-figures? What’s the role of marketing, data, content and sales in executing this approach? Learn tips and strategies for unlocking growth from your existing customers.

Brian Cuthbert
Group Vice President, Diversified Communications

Driving Sustainable Growth and Navigating the Technological Evolution

For over 20 years, PubTech.io has stood as a trusted technology ally to specialized information publishers. Throughout this period, Nirav and his team of experts have collaborated with numerous Renewd companies, accumulating invaluable insights and experience.

• Explore the distinct approaches of both small and large publishing and media companies towards technology adoption.
• Gain insights into how companies leverage their ecosystems for sustainable growth.
• Delve into case studies showcasing how successful companies navigate through technological evolution, including applications of AI/ML.
• Access PubTech.io's wealth of knowledge accumulated over two decades, along with innovative microproduct development ideas.

Nirav Oza
Chief Strategy and Customer Officer, PubTech.io (Ace Infoway Division)

Networking Break & Meetups

How To Maintain Email Deliverability as Regulators and Spam Filters Become Increasingly Invasive

Learn how spam filtering has evolved over the years, and get practical tips and best practices for improving B2B email deliverability.

• Get 3 actionable ideas, for right now, about avoiding your recipients' SPAM folder.
• Learn what new regulatory initiatives might sink your email deliverability.
• Master best practices for not only avoiding the SPAM folder but also getting your email messages opened!

Egon Smullyan
VP, Commercial Operations, FT Specialist

Case Study: A Tech Stack Overhaul from Assessment to Launch

In this case study you’ll hear about one publisher’s journey to overhaul their tech stack, including their CMS, website, ESP, CRM and more business-critical components. This session will go beyond the surface to reveal the inner workings of need assessment, vendor vetting and project management for an incredibly fast 6-month launch. Discover how they meticulously evaluated their requirements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, customer satisfaction and flexibility for growth. This isn’t all champagne and roses – they’ll also shed light on the challenges they encountered and pitfalls to avoid going forward. The goal of this session is to help other publishers better navigate the complexities of tech transformation with confidence and clarity.

Nancy Graves
COO, Cabot Wealth Network

Linda Vassily
VP of Retention, Cabot Wealth Network

The Opportunities (and Risks) of a Hybrid Acquisition/Internal Growth Strategy: The Columbia Books Case Study

Columbia Books is one of the most active acquirers in our industry, but they’ve also relied on internal growth strategies and divestitures to standardize their business models and position themselves for future growth. Along the way, Brittany Carter has had to develop leadership strategies to manage transactions—but also to streamline operations so that her team is doing the most valuable work possible. It’s not easy—shifting from due diligence when reviewing possible acquisitions that may be distressed or lacking full record-keeping to planning for vertical market sales and marketing plans on the same day. “I have learned to separate the tactical decisions from the more thoughtful strategic plans,” Brittany says. Hybrid growth is not for the weak. Both acquisitions and internal growth can have serious short term consequences for both top and bottom line trends. The Columbia Books example shows that the effort can be fruitful, and that a stronger organization emerges with better focus, energy, customer retention, clarity—and financial performance.

Brittany Carter
CEO, Columbia Books

David Foster
Chairman, Business Valuation Resources (Moderator)

Cocktail Reception

Dutch Treat Group Dinners at Mele Bistro (sign-up info to follow)

Networking Breakfast

Welcome Remarks / Housekeeping

Ed Coburn
CEO, Cabot Wealth Network

Keynote: How to Launch Paid Newsletters at Scale – And Succeed

Get real-life success stories about publishers who launched paid-subscription newsletters that quickly scaled. Success stories from the trenches!

• Discover how to identify best topics and focus for a new paid newsletter.
• Best practices for planning a new paid-newsletter launch.
• Key takeaways about pricing, audience, publishing frequency, and marketing tactics.

George Moriarty
Senior Editor, Axios Pro

Dan Fink
Managing Director, FT Specialist (Moderator)

Six Breakthrough Strategies to Monetize Your Communities

Whether your primary revenue strategy is events, subscription products, data, or “SAAS,” developing powerful communities within your customer base is essential. Ragan has relied on the community model for years, and many of their customer groups describe their memberships as “indispensable.” But—they aren’t resting, and Schwartz will share their current accelerating success. This is your opportunity to share Ragan’s new models, including the key tools they use to constantly improve benefits for the user (as well as average account value). A sampling of those tools include embedded user and staff AI, an early warning system for potential non-renewals, a 12-point member “scorecard,” team-based personal development, all-access models for events, and much more. Diane points out that a cultural and skill shift is essential to thrive in the community space. And, “Ragan has avoided the opportunity costs of pursuing adjacent markets and less powerful product launches” so that everyone keeps their focus on the AI-driven community model.”

Diane Schwartz
CEO, Ragan Communications

David Foster
Chairman, Business Valuation Resources (Moderator)

Networking Break & Meetups

What are Buyers of Media Businesses Looking for in 2024?

Andy brings an exclusive sneak preview of Collingwood's annual interview with trade and PE values to answer the critical questions about creating value that your customers need now--and that buyers will value. Collingwood has identified a series of essential elements of how leadership teams can drive those valuations even higher, including particular regard how customer relationships and needs analysis--now and in the future--impact every aspect of the most valuable content companies. The session will provide a roadmap for creating value that drives your business and your career. You'll learn about the latest trends and best practices in the profession and discover strategies for increasing your business's value, from optimizing revenue streams to governance structures improving operational efficiency. Additionally, you'll gain insights into how investors and acquirers evaluate your relationship with your most important customers as a central value driver. This is an exclusive must-attend session for all Renewd members involved in planning for growth and success! Attendees will leave the session with the knowledge and tools they need to create value that drives their business and their career.

Andy Baker
Director & Practice Lead, B2B Information, Collingwood

Building a New Specialized Content Company

Kevin moved from the top echelons of mass media to launch a new specialized content company covering the future of work. Hear how his company, Charter, is segmenting their market, creating products for both individuals and enterprises, building their subscriber base, and leveraging key partners along the way.

Kevin Delaney
Co-founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief, Charter

Meteoric Growth from New Products and Premium Prices

Hear how National Journal leveraged core competencies to expand its market, develop new products, and drive sustained periods of growth. This story contains lessons for all B-to-B content providers on how to approach product development that widens your customer base and commands a premium price.

Kevin Turpin
President of National Journal

Roundtables; (9 topics)

Networking lunch or Working lunch: Get your food and then join our Special Interactive Session of Renewd’s Industry-Leading AI Working Group

Robin Crumby
Chair, Renewd AI Working Group

Summit Adjourned