Last week, we brought the Qwoted community together in New York City for another Media Mixer, co-hosted with Jacob Cohen Donnelly, founder of A Media Operator. It was an evening of conversation, connection, and honest perspectives on where the industry is headed.
As always, the room was filled with a strong mix of journalists, PR professionals, and subject matter experts. What stood out most was how thoughtful and candid the conversations felt throughout the night.
A Changing Media Landscape
The media industry is going through a period of rapid change. Shrinking newsrooms and evolving business models came up often in conversations across the room.
At the same time, there was a clear sense of optimism.
One theme that resonated came from Jacob, who shared his perspective on the shifting landscape. His outlook on the rise of independent journalists came up in a lot of conversations throughout the night. As traditional structures evolve, more journalists are building direct relationships with audiences and creating sustainable, independent platforms.
This shift is changing how stories are told and who gets to tell them.
Access Meets Accountability
These conversations reinforce why we do what we do at Qwoted.
As more voices enter the media ecosystem, especially in a time when anyone with access to AI can present themselves as an expert, credibility matters more than ever.
We believe the future of earned media depends on both accessibility and trust.
That means making it easier for everyday experts to share insights while ensuring journalists can rely on credible, vetted sources. Lowering barriers should not mean lowering standards.
Building What’s Next Together
Events like these remind us that even amid uncertainty, the industry is full of people who care deeply about staying curious about the future and shaping what comes next.
From independent journalists building new models to communicators adapting in real time, something new is taking shape.
We are grateful to help bring this community together and to support a more open, trustworthy, and dynamic media ecosystem.
Thanks to everyone who joined us. We are already looking forward to the next one!
