Empower Local at Venture Atlanta by Steve Buhrman

My name is Steven Buhrman and I’m here to introduce EmpowerLocal:
America’s first NATIONWIDE network of INDEPENDENT local news, sports, and lifestyle media.

Today the EmpowerLocal Network represents over ONE THOUSAND local media outlets.
With grassroots reach across all 50 states, OUR PLATFORM gives advertisers DIRECT ACCESS to some of the most UNIQUE and ENGAGING media environments ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET.

In doing so, we’re addressing a MASSIVE PAIN POINT for some of the BIGGEST SPENDERS in today’s
$800 BILLION DOLLAR digital advertising sector.
You see, big brands want access to “close to home” media, but buying TARGETED, LOCAL MEDIA at
scale is a LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE.
What’s the problem? The media landscape is badly fragmented (There are TENS OF THOUSANDS of local
community news, sports, lifestyle websites, email newsletters, and social followings.
These digital channels are on average more trusted and engaging than national media BUT
There’s no transparent audience data… and no easy way to organize complex, multi-local campaigns.

EmpowerLocal solves this by providing ONE-STOP ACCESS to America’s most trusted local media. We make it simple to:

– Efficiently reach hyperlocal communities, anywhere in the US
– Target audiences with reliable first-party data
– Deliver AI-enabled, LOCALLY RELEVANT ad experiences

Like this multi-local campaign for Snoop Dogg’s new Ice Cream brand, Dr Bombay that taps into local “Friday Nights Lights” fanfare while driving coupon redemptions at nearby retail locations.

It took a bit of trial and error, but we’ve settled into product-market-fit with several strategic advertising partners.

We’ve secured long term contracts, in many cases with “uncapped demand” – meaning the advertiser will
buy as much inventory as we can possibly offer.
We have pre-negotiated rates + guarantees that support a predictable, recurring revenue model with a
healthy 30% profit margin

For publishers, EmpowerLocal is a NO BRAINER.
We offer 3-5X better rates than traditional programmatic ads and joining is dead simple:

Drop in the Empower script on your website
Connect relevant audience data and bank details
And immediately start earning more.

In the last 12 months, we’ve:

Grown our network by 168%, averaging SIXTY-SIX (66) new ad unit installations per month
We’ve increased revenue by 120% during this time;
And we’ve profitable with with $4.3M ARR

We have the expertise and connections to turn EmpowerLocal’s ambitious vision into a reality:

Our team of SERIAL ENTREPRENEURS and INDUSTRY VETERANS is backed by STRATEGIC ADVISORS from retail and media giants, Gannett, Kraft Heinz, and Walmart.

We’ve bootstrapped our way to proof of concept and profitability
And we’re now raising additional capital to get us to $10M ARR
And back to breakeven by this time next year.

I welcome you JOIN US in our mission to revitalize local news ecosystems and usher in a NEW ERA of grassroots advertising. Thank you.

I welcome you JOIN US in our mission to revitalize local news ecosystems and usher in a NEW ERA of grassroots advertising. Thank you.

Explore Our Digital Marketing Insights

Discover expert insights on digital marketing! Click below to explore our blog for valuable strategies, trends, and perspectives to grow your business

DODSON MC