Keith Pepper

Keith Pepper, the Publisher of Rough Draft Atlanta, shares insights from his journey of transforming local newspapers into a modern digital-first news platform. He emphasizes a 'meaningful, not massive' philosophy, highlighting the importance of balancing hard news with community service journalism. Keith explains how direct mail and print advertising still drive significant revenue, while discussing the challenges of transitioning staff to embrace digital growth. His optimism for sustainable local news shines through as he points to successful regional models and recommends key industry peers.