Table Stakes

The Table Stakes Local News Transformation Program works with news organizations to tackle important challenges and manage continuous change. The program helps news businesses find a path to a sustainable future by teaching them how to change their practices, develop new products, reach new audiences and better engage their communities.

More than 200 news organizations nationwide have participated in Table Stakes. The process is applied across several versions of the program at universities and institutes, including API, the Poynter Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Arizona State University.

The American Press Institute managed the Major Market and Gannett-McClatchy programs and currently manages the subsequent sprint programming as well as the Table Stakes alumni network. API’s Table Stakes work is funded by The Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund.

The Digital Transformation Guide from the American Press Institute features strategies tested and proven by local news organizations that participated in the Table Stakes program along the themes of product thinking, revenue, engaged journalism, collaboration and managing change.

API runs the Table Stakes Network for program alumni to offer additional training, funding, events and support. 

Who are Table Stakes alumni? An individual who either:

• Is an alumnus of a Table Stakes program (Major Market, Poynter, UNC, ASU, Gannett-McClatchy)
• Works at a news organization that completed one of the programs mentioned above (Not sure if your news organization is on the list? Check here) 
• A former or current coach for a Table Stakes program

If you fall under one of the categories, make sure to subscribe to the Table Stakes alumni newsletter to receive updates on upcoming opportunities.

Steal this idea: Revenue successes with Table Stakes alumni

Thursday, May 29 · 1 – 2pm EST. Register here.

Looking for ways to get inspired about revenue? Come to our “steal this idea” session to share your successes and hear how fellow alumni are innovating revenue tactics and strategies to boost the bottom line for community media and local news organizations.

How it works: Table Stakes alumni briefly share what they learned from a recent win, project or experiment that’s helping to diversify revenue at their organization. Examples can include:

• New products or partnerships
• Live events or engagement offerings
• Marketing for digital ad campaigns/on-air messaging
• Tech or workflow improvements to support profit-building
• Best practices for grant-writing and philanthropy
• Refining appeals to boost donations
• Managing member and subscriber experiences
• Acquiring sponsorships or new business relationships

I’m a Table Stakes alum. Why should I join? This is the final session that API is offering exclusively for the alumni community, as we near the end of our Table Stakes programming. Let’s celebrate wins and solutions with the community!

Alumni Newsletter

If you want to be alerted when future alumni opportunities are announced, make sure to subscribe to the Table Stakes alumni newsletter.