Qwoted’s first Media Mixer of 2026 in partnership with The Podcast Academy brought together media, brands, and PR professionals across the industry for a high-energy evening of conversation and connection.
We were thrilled to welcome journalists and editors from Vox Media, NPR, Reuters, Associated Press, Vulture and other major publishers, along with podcast hosts and producers, writers, and creators. We welcomed major brands like Amex, Fiverr, and Peloton and agency friends from Hunter PR, Golin, Avenue Z, and more.
Guests flowed in from the moment the doors opened and filled the space to capacity by the time Qwoted CEO Dan Simon welcomed us all and reminded us why our collective support for for a free press is so important right now:
“It’s a very rough time to be a journalist right now. 188 journalists were killed in 2025, which is a record according to our friends over at Reporters Without Borders. And then anyone who read the news knows about what happened to The Washington Post yesterday, which is a travesty.”
Themes from the evening
Threats to press freedom was just one of the many themes that emerged from the evening’s conversations:
Shrinking newsrooms + rising demands
With fewer reporters expected to cover more ground, journalists are facing constant pressure to move faster without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Conversations throughout the evening reflected the growing need for strong relationships and trusted sources that help make ambitious reporting possible in today’s leaner newsrooms.
Media fragmentation
As audiences splinter across platforms, formats, and niches, media professionals are navigating an increasingly complex and decentralized landscape. Guests discussed how this fragmentation is reshaping everything from storytelling and distribution to how journalists build credibility and connect with readers and listeners.
AI, media, & trust
AI’s expanding role in journalism sparked thoughtful dialogue around efficiency, ethics, and transparency, particularly as newsrooms test new tools and workflows. Across these conversations, trust remained a central theme, underscoring the value of human judgment, verification, and responsible sourcing.
We hope to see you again at our next event in April! Make sure to follow Qwoted on LinkedIn to stay connected with our community and future events. If you work in media, we also have a Qwoted for Media page where we share industry news, interviews, job opportunities, and updates across Qwoted’s network, along with resources that support the work you do each day.
