Second Street is a proud Gold Sponsor again at this years America’s Newspapers MEGA-Conference in Austin, TX. Join us at our corner Café to hear how newspaper groups are modernizing them into seven‑figure revenue engines.

Need to Fuel your Revenue?

Stop by the Engagement Cafe – where engagement becomes revenue. Connect, enjoy some coffee and get the latest on promotional revenue.

Upland Second Street Session: Next-Gen Best Of Ideas: Scalable Revenue Programs You Can Implement Now

Speaking Session – Tuesday, March 31st @ 1:00 PM CT 

Best Of” programs are one of the most powerful audience engagement tools in local media—but most organizations are dramatically under-monetizing them. If your Best Of program still looks the way it did five or ten years ago, you’re not just leaving money on the table—you’re missing a major revenue growth opportunity. In this fast-paced, insight-packed session, two forward-thinking media leaders reveal how they transformed traditional Best Of programs into scalable, high-performing revenue engine, without overhauling their entire operation.

Moderated by Julie Foley, Senior Customer Success Manager at Upland Second Street, this session brings together Vince Johnson of Osteen Publishing Group, who will share how launching ecommerce‑style, self‑serve advertising created a new always‑on revenue stream and made participation easier for local businesses, and Riley Kneedler of Wick Communications, who will break down how adding text‑to‑vote functionality not only boosted engagement but also generated six figures in incremental revenue.

These aren’t theoretical ideas—they’re proven, repeatable strategies that can be implemented quickly across single markets or multi-property groups. You’ll walk away with practical ways to turn your Best Of ballot into a consistent, scalable revenue driver that increases participation and monetizes engagement. You’ll also learn new approaches to capturing revenue without adding strain to your sales team, along with real-world results and guidance on how to apply them immediately within your own organization.

Whether you’re looking to modernize an existing program or unlock new revenue streams, this session will change how you think about Best Of.

Follow America’s Newspaper on LinkedIn and Follow #2026MegaConf

Reach out to our experts onsite Julie, Nick, Tom and John to get in touch.

About Mega-Conference

About the News Industry Mega‑Conference

The News Industry Mega‑Conference is the industry’s largest and most influential gathering of newspaper and media executives—“where the business of the media industry happens.” Over two fast‑paced days in Austin, leaders from across the country come

Together for high‑impact sessions focused on the strategies, technologies, and market forces shaping the future of news. The conference delivers actionable insight on revenue models, digital transformation, audience growth, and operational innovation, making it the premier forum for publishers and department heads looking to move their organizations forward. mega-conference.com

Hosted at the Austin Marriott Downtown from March 30 – April 1, 2026, the event brings more than 700 media executives together to share best practices and explore new solutions. It’s designed as a working meeting—not a trade show—where decision‑makers engage directly with ideas and partners that accelerate performance. With its blend of practical sessions, strategic conversations, and collaborative learning, the Mega‑Conference continues to be the definitive annual event for leaders shaping the future of local news.

Who Should Attend?

Publishers, CROs, revenue and ad leaders, and digital strategists who want to scale Best Of programs into a meaningful, repeatable revenue stream across multiple newspapers.