Mark Zuckerberg’s journey from a Harvard dorm room to leading Meta showcases his visionary leadership, product-first mindset, and resilience under pressure. He built Facebook by prioritizing user experience, embracing bold risks like acquiring Instagram and pivoting to the metaverse. His management style emphasizes mission-driven culture, strategic delegation, and long-term thinking. Case studies such as the Cambridge Analytica response and Meta’s global expansion highlight his ability to lead through crisis and scale effectively. Local media sales reps can learn from his approach by innovating, embracing technology, building trust, and thinking beyond short-term wins.

AI tools are helping media sales and local marketing teams improve their work. They support sales management, content creation, ad optimization, and customer engagement. These tools speed up tasks and help teams connect better with local audiences.

William Randolph Hearst revolutionized American media by transforming newspapers into powerful tools of influence, starting with the San Francisco Examiner and expanding into a national empire. His bold, sensationalist style—often controversial—captivated readers and reshaped journalism, while his leadership blended visionary ambition with hands-on editorial control. Hearst overcame fierce competition, financial crises, and public scrutiny by diversifying into magazines, radio, and film, demonstrating adaptability and strategic foresight. His marketing genius lay in emotional storytelling, audience-first content, and cross-platform branding—lessons that remain vital for today’s media sales professionals. Hearst’s legacy is a testament to the power of bold ideas, relentless innovation, and the enduring impact of compelling narratives.

Geotargeting has become a dominant strategy in advertising, with 87% of marketers now using it—creating a major opportunity for radio to compete with digital platforms. Thanks to new FCC rules, stations can now use FM boosters and technologies like ZoneCasting to deliver localized ads to specific neighborhoods. Advertiser interest in radio geotargeting has more than doubled since 2020, with 39% saying it makes them more likely to increase radio spending. Tools like Xperi’s DTS AutoStage now provide in-car listening data, helping stations show advertisers exactly where their audiences are tuning in. Together, these innovations position local radio to offer precision, relevance, and measurable ROI—making it a powerful tool for location-based marketing.

Leo Burnett, born in 1891 in Michigan, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in advertising history. He founded Leo Burnett Company in 1935 during the Great Depression and built it into a global powerhouse by championing emotionally resonant, character-driven campaigns like the Marlboro Man, Tony the Tiger, and the Pillsbury Doughboy. Known for his belief in the “inherent drama” of products, Burnett emphasized simplicity, sincerity, and storytelling in advertising. Despite early skepticism and economic adversity, he built a legacy rooted in trust, creativity, and consumer connection. His philosophy—“Make it simple. Make it memorable. Make it inviting to look at. Make it fun to read.”—continues to shape the industry today.

Big Tech companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Meta are increasingly investing in traditional media—such as newspapers, radio, and TV—to build trust, reach broader audiences, and manage their reputations. Apple uses full-page print ads to promote privacy, Amazon advertises on local radio to support hiring, and Google sponsors public radio to enhance brand credibility. Despite their dominance in digital advertising, these companies recognize the unique value of traditional media’s trust, attention, and community connection. Local media outlets can leverage this trend by emphasizing their credibility, loyal audiences, and hyper-local reach. If Big Tech sees value in traditional media, local advertisers should too.

Realtor.com’s “Unpacking the Mover Mindset” reveals that movers are a high-value audience, making major purchase decisions within 90 days of relocating and showing increased openness to new brands and services. Local media outlets are uniquely positioned to connect advertisers with movers through trusted, community-based messaging. The Media Audit profiles newcomers and their media exposure. The Realtor.com report identifies three key phases of the mover journey—pre-move, move week, and post-move—and four mover personas, each with distinct needs and behaviors. Media sellers can capitalize on this by offering targeted ad packages, welcome guides, and geo-targeted campaigns aligned with mover timing and mindset. By leveraging these insights, local media can drive meaningful results for advertisers and deepen their role as essential partners in the community.

Boost your advertising impact with this week’s powerful summer promotions!
• Bobcat Summer Equipment Deals – Big savings on work-ready gear.
• Honda Marine Cruise Into Summer – Make waves with great offers.
• Mazda More to Move You Sales Event – Accelerate buyer interest.
• Ford Summer Sales Event – Keep momentum strong.
• Yamaha Let’s Ride Sales Event – Powersports excitement at a deal.
• Winchester Trophy Season Rebate – Gear up for the hunt.
• Whirlpool Labor Day Sale – Refresh home comfort just in time

AI is becoming a powerful creative partner for local media and ad agencies, not by replacing human imagination but by enhancing it. Rather than chasing the perfect prompt, creatives should treat AI as a collaborator—starting with their own unique ideas and refining outputs through conversation and iteration. Tools like ChatGPT and Claude can help generate scripts, taglines, and campaign concepts, but the human touch is essential for emotional resonance and cultural relevance. The most effective use of AI comes from using it to explore options, not finalize them, and by pushing back when results are too generic. Ultimately, AI reflects the creativity you bring to it—so start with your voice and let the machine help you shape it.

Back-to-school shopping in 2025 is starting earlier than ever, with 67% of K–12 families beginning purchases by early July—driven by inflation concerns and a desire to secure deals. Despite this early start, 84% of shoppers still have half their shopping left, creating a key opportunity for local media to influence purchasing decisions. K–12 families plan to spend an average of $858, while college households expect to spend $1,325, with electronics, clothing, and supplies topping the list. Online and discount stores remain dominant shopping channels, but local media can boost relevance by promoting value, supporting community events, and tailoring messages to both K–12 and college audiences.

Elevate your advertising with this week’s standout promotions!
• Browning Safes Military First Responders Rebate – Exclusive offers honoring service.
• Simplicity Rev Up Rebate – Big savings on performance equipment.
• Wrangler Back-to-School – Must-have deals for the season.
• Can-Am Ride in Style for Less – Style and performance at a value.
• Mitsubishi Travel Ready Service – Prep customers for their journeys.

Fuel your advertising with these can’t-miss promotions this week!
• Sweet Savings on Lynx Snowmobiles! — Great deals on winter rides.
• Baby Lock Annual Summer Sale! — Save on sewing machines and accessories.
• Valspar Summer Rebates Event! — Get money back on paint.
• Fireplace Xtrordinair Free Accessory Sale! — Free extras with your fireplace.
• Lennox Summer Rebate Offers! — Save on cooling and heating.
• Land Pride Gold Rush Instant Rebate! — Instant savings on outdoor equipment.
• Firestone Tires Summer Savings! — Discounts on trusted tires.

Fuel your advertising with these can’t-miss promotions this week!
• Buick Certified Service Summer Ready Service Event! — Keep your Buick running smooth all summer.
• Vermeer Offers That Get Better and Better! — Great deals on powerful equipment.
• Dal-Tile Summer Sale! — Refresh your floors with summer savings.
• Hyundai Getaway Sales Event! — Hit the road with special deals on Hyundai.
• Polaris Slingshot Showstopper Summer Sales Event! — Stand out with exciting savings.
• Club Car Golden Opportunity Savings! — Save big on golf and utility vehicles.
• Simmons Beautyrest Labor Day Sale! — Rest easy with mattress deals for Labor Day.

Business Background

• The combined market size for Pilates and Yoga studios in the US is estimated at a substantial $14.7 billion in 2024 [IBISWorld, Pilates Yoga Studios in the US industry analysis].
• According to Yoga Alliance, an estimated 38.4 million people in the US practice yoga regularly, which is roughly 10% of the population [Grand View Research, Yoga Market Size, Share, Growth Trends Report 2030].
• Demographics are evolving: While traditionally female-dominant, the gender gap is narrowing with more men attending classes, particularly those focused on strength and athletic aspects.
• Age is becoming less restrictive. Yoga studios offer classes designed for all ages, with programs specifically tailored to seniors and children.

Business Background

• The US funeral services industry generates around $19.1 billion in annual revenue (IBISWorld, Funeral Homes in the US – Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)) with a projected CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 1.0% through the end of 2024 (though the pandemic caused a temporary spike).
• The industry is primarily made up of small, family-owned businesses with over 87% falling into this category (National Funeral Directors Association, Statistics). There are also some larger, publicly traded companies.
• The industry is experiencing a shift towards cremation as a more affordable and space-saving option. Additionally, there’s a growing demand for personalized funeral services that reflect the deceased’s life and values.