The 8th annual Innovation Mission is over but you can read all about it on the “On the Road” page.

Headline visits include a full day at Google (meeting with teams from the news lab, machine learning, voice assistants, culture & more), a ½ day at Walmart/Sam’s Club (meeting with e-commerce and data scientist teams) and a ½ day at Gannett (video, community news and innovation lab). Other exciting visits include: Roku, The Video Lab/McClatchy, Tribune Broadcasting, Matter, Spirited Media, SocialCode and an immersive AR/VR experience at the Newseum hosted by the National Association of Broadcasters.

THIS INNOVATION MISSION IS OVER. STAY TUNED FOR OUR NEXT REGIONAL ONE. Did you miss the Full IM? We’ve created smaller, regional Innovation Missions and up next is Boston! The trip focuses on themes that are critical for media transformation and growth: digital agency, data management, audience development, and new content and technology platforms. We’ll spend a ½ day at Propel Marketing/GateHouse and some serious time with the digital leadership team from Entercom. These are two industry leaders. We’ll also have a private meeting with Boston Globe CEO Doug Franklin (they have more digital subscribers than any other media company in North America). Other visits include HubSpot, WBGH, Brightcove and Cxense.

The LMA Innovation Mission kicks off 2018 with a bang! On Feb. 5-7, we’ll travel to Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham for the first time to meet with several of the most dynamic companies in and around local media. Prepare to be wowed by the leading work being done by Cox Media Group, WRAL, and others. You’ll head home with brains buzzing, a notebook full of new ideas, and a peer network that will live on long beyond the trip.