Podcast: Jay Allred of Richland Source

The latest episode of the LION podcast features Jay Allred, president of Richland Source, a thriving LION site in central Ohio.

Jay and Richland Source have found business success through a diversified revenue stream that includes advertising, marketing services and membership. And it has done so while serving a small Rust Belt city, staying true to its altruistic local mission, and eschewing clickbait and negativity.

We talked with Jay about Richland Source's founding, growth and future — and about what an inevitable economic downturn may mean for LIONs and legacy media companies.

More on Richland Source:

From Poynter: This Ohio newsroom is taking on a tough subject in a new way – with a baby shower.

From Nieman Lab: Small-batch t-shirts and popcorn bags: How a local Ohio news site is diversifying its business model.