Marie Leonard

VP of Digital for @impactnews, @sfasu alumna. Queso and dance enthusiast in my spare time.

[Hannah Norton @hannahdnorton]

🧵With less than 1.5 hours until the polls close in Texas, here are some Community Impact @impactnews resources on important races and propositions across the state:

First, details on Prop Q, the city of Austin's proposed 20% tax increase:
https://t.co/WCB5xdp2hz

(1/8)

[John Garrett 📰 @johnpgarrett]

We have been slammed by high school journalism programs ditching digital only strategies and wanting us to print their newspaper this year.

I keep reading the next generation doesn’t want print and then I look at my press schedule and at Community Impact’s readership data.

Phygital is the future for local journalism, yall.

High quality physical paper + Digital accessibility is a great model to invest in. Join us - all the cool kids are doing it.

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

I will die on this hill as an editor.

[Jeremy Siegel @jersiegel]

reporters meeting with editors

[Missy @melissamissye]

“This has just been that kind of place that I would do anything for,” Tina Knowles said.

s/o to the Houston newsroom and copy desk team for being there with me in spirit when meeting Bey (and refining this story to excellence)

https://t.co/QUOrB1josn

[John Garrett 📰 @johnpgarrett]

We tried a new go-to-market local news strategy in Bastrop:

1. Launch daily email newsletter first with a goal of eight local paid founding sponsors.

2. Hire a focused digital editor who gets out in the community.

3. Build audience, sources, credibility, confidence in market.

4. Launch print product in six months.

All goals are on track.

Local news is hard but here’s our secret recipe:

80% Impacter operational excellence.

20% Miracles.

Excited for our Phygital Future.

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

@johnpgarrett You forgot the 10% happy hour/wine part.

[Ben Thompson @BThompson_CI]

NXP says it's proposing "considerable near-term investment" at its Austin sites. Council to consider economic development deal as soon as next month.

The possible agreement would come after Austin ISD's board rejected a proposal from the company last year https://t.co/oMxZhmdOQZ

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

@kaitlinschmidt_ Ummm unrelated, but love your new profile pic 😍

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

@nemoore_ @impactnews We missed seeing you, but it was great to meet Tyson!

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

Feeling invigorated about the future of local news after meeting people from across the industry and sharing the story of @impactnews at #ONA23 this week in Philly.

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

Today's #ONA23 session on how news leaders can learn from other industries has been a favorite so far. Especially key takeaways like understanding the balance sheet. The industry will be better off if more of us can understand the biz side.

[John Garrett 📰 @johnpgarrett]

So I could use a little help...

Where should @impactnews plan to grow around Texas?

We start Bastrop and Prosper/Celina this September and add North San Antonio in October and are brainstorming other ideas.

Who should be on our shortlist for 2024-2025?

https://t.co/aTiPCjCzoa

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

“We must change to stay the same.”

Great opening session this morning at #ONA23 on AI in the journalism industry, where we already know the only constant is change.

[ONA Annual Conference @ONAConf]

@PCheung630: What do we need to double down on AI so journalists can stay relevant?

Experimentation is key. “The tools right now are free. The bar is low. Companies all around are open to support and help – everyone is learning.” – Liz Danzico #ONA23

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

Here at #ONA23 repping @impactnews! Excited for a full day of learning, innovation and, of course, a Philly cheesesteak.

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

Want to learn more about how we're disrupting the local news space? 👀

[John Garrett 📰 @johnpgarrett]

No newspaper publisher has ever spoken at @sxsw (maybe).

Vote for me and we’ll make history.

I’ll take on three myths:

1. Print is dead

2. News can’t be trusted

3. There’s no future for journalists

https://t.co/g1ABCErAn1

[Ben Thompson @BThompson_CI]

Today, Amtrak announced it may jump into the controversial and often-delayed high-speed rail project to connect Dallas and Houston.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown says he wants the Austin area to be part of that plan too https://t.co/ijd8xspNBB

[Hannah Norton @hannahdnorton]

The Texas Senate is gaveling in for the day. A group of senators is expected to present the proposed rules for the impeachment trial of @KenPaxtonTX to the full body today.

Senators can then debate and/or vote on the rules. #txlege @impactnews

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

🗞️✨Today marks my 12-year anniversary with @impactnews! From starting as a Reporter to now overseeing our editorial team as Content Director, it has been a fantastic ride. If you're looking for a journo job where you can grow, check out our hiring page: https://t.co/C7IOBPIxvQ

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

What a great way to start the week!

[John Garrett 📰 @johnpgarrett]

🤩 🤩 🤩

@impactnews wins best local email strategy in the large news category!

Subscribe for free here:

https://t.co/IKCsPPXvGV

Thank you @LocalMediaAssoc @socialnewsdesk @twentyfirstdig @HubSpot and every great local newsletter we’ve learned from including @axios @6amcity

[Marie Leonard @MarieLeonardHOU]

Move to Austin, they said. It’s nice here, they said. Five months later and barely surviving my first cedar fever season: