Publisher’s Note: Let’s grow

The goal of my periodic Publisher’s Note emails is to give readers a peek behind the scenes of Rough Draft and to share some of my thoughts on the business of local media.

The past four weeks have not been the most productive at work.

 I could blame a house sale, moving, and some bigger-than-expected renovations, but the truth is, like many of you, I have been glued to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

I was lucky enough to attend three matches, including the knockout round between England and DR Congo, which was the greatest sporting event experience of my life. That’s mostly because I was there with a British friend who, despite nearly starting a fight when the Three Lions looked like they might lose and someone told him to “sit down,” quickly shifted to childlike joy when Harry Kane saved the day.

 I want to thank the Rough Draft team for punching above their weight on our World Cup coverage. Led by Sarra Sedghi, we had folks at various watch parties and related events. The July print edition of Atlanta Intown is a World Cup keepsake. Get in touch if you want one.

Some news about the news

 While drama continues to engulf some national news organizations, it’s shaping up to be another good year for local news, including our team at Rough Draft. Not necessarily an easy year, to be sure, but as the green shoots I wrote about last month continue to bloom, I’m very proud to announce this news: 

Rough Draft Atlanta is one of 12 publishers in the country chosen for the 2026 Google News Initiative Growth Catalyst Cohort.

As the announcement explains, “Over the next year, these organizations will receive funding from GNI and coaching support from Blue Engine Collaborative as they pursue expansion into new communities. Together, they represent a wide range of business models, markets, and audiences, but share a common goal: bringing high-quality local journalism to more people.”

 Which Atlanta community needs more consistent local coverage, and what stories are currently being missed? Let me know via email or by commenting on our IG post, which is linked below.

Local is hot

 People who follow the media business often ask me what the difference is between Rough Draft and Axios, the national media company that is owned by Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises. I’m flattered by the question because it means that people are thinking of us in the same breath as one of the biggest players around. 

The answer centers on the analogy of your favorite local coffee shop and Starbucks. The Seattle-based coffee behemoth created a world where consumers don’t bat an eye at an $8 oat milk latte, allowing independent coffee shops to thrive.

 Similarly, Axios, via its 2020 acquisition of the trailblazing Charlotte Agenda, set the market for personality-driven, daily, local newsletters, and the growth of companies like 6AM City has validated it. Newsletter advertising is now one of the fastest-growing segments in digital media, growing 30% annually. Beehiiv, a platform popular with independent media startups, reported nearly 140% growth in paid subscriptions.

 So, it’s understandable why industry pundits took note of the recent news that The New York Times is launching a local newsletter in Minneapolis-St. Paul.  

I think The Times, arguably the most successful media business in the world, moving into the local space is actually a reason to celebrate. It’s a very loud signal that there’s a demand for reliable, non-sensational local news, and it supports our focus on newsletters as a key distribution channel. 

 Sure, competition can be annoying, but it should be something that makes us all better. The Times’ move will put a brighter spotlight on local newsletters. I have no insight into whether it will come to Atlanta or not, but with everything happening in our state, I would not be surprised.

Still, we diversify

 All of these reasons are why we are increasing our efforts to grow our direct relationships with our audience through newsletters (If you’re reading this, please send it to five of your friends and encourage them to subscribe), the newly launched Rough Draft Dinner Club, and a membership program we are continuing to build.

 Whether it’s Rough Draft or another independent, local media company, please do what you can to support local.

Objects in the mirror

What I’m celebrating

• Both our flagship daily newsletter and our twice-a-week dining newsletter were finalists in their categories at the international Publisher Newsletter Awards, which were presented in London earlier this month. (Kudos to the winners!)

What I’m eating

• Anything with peaches. Speaking of, come see us at the RD table at the Freedom Farmers Market on the first Saturday of every month.

What I’m reading

• The Friday-Sunday print edition of the New York Times. I splurged on home delivery, and I’m loving the slowness it adds to my weekend mornings.
• David Plazas, the Opinion Editor of the AJC, has revived that section, and his columns in particular are a refreshing way to see the city through a newcomer’s eyes.

Thank you again for reading Rough Draft. Please let me know what you think by emailing me directly at keith@roughdraft.news.

The post Publisher’s Note: Let’s grow appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.