We help local newsrooms create stronger content.
Our Services:
Who we are...
Provision Insights provides consultation services to local media organizations and market research. It is based in Savoy, Illinois.
Andy Miller is the Chief Insights Provider and Company Owner.
He brings more than 25 years of experience, with a background in broadcast / digital news media and audience development.
Andy served as the News Director for Nexstar Media’s WCIA 3, the CBS affiliate in the Champaign / Springfield, Illinois market. During his tenure there, WCIA was consistently #1 in the ratings in all dayparts and was the market’s leading digital site.
Andy also served for six years as a Director of Local Content Development for Nexstar Media. During that time, he visited more than 60 stations and worked with their teams to improve workflow and product quality.
Andy has conducted market research in over 20 markets across the U.S.
The Program
The Timeframe
Six monthly virtual sessions, each lasting 50 minutes, held over the lunch hour.
The Agenda
10 min. of key-note, 30 min. of conversation, ten min. of action planning.
The Topics
Each month features one theme focused on common challenges faced by NDs.
The Groups
6 people; small enough to be impactful, big enough to offer diverse insights.
Connect
Meet and get to know other News Directors who are confronting the same challenges as you.
Developing and nurturing professional relationships provides firm footing for the future.
share
You have a unique story filled with experiences and valuable ideas that can help others.
And other News Directors have a story filled with unique experiences and valuable ideas that can help you.
get answers
Every day, News Directors grapple with questions that don’t have obvious answers and Google can’t solve.
No one is better qualified to help a News Director think through tough scenarios like another News Director.
be Inspired
News Directors are creative problem solvers, innovative audience builders and energetic motivators.
And creativity, innovation and energy are contagious.
Here’s why.
Your career matters. The world needs quality local journalism delivered by healthy and vibrant newsrooms led by healthy and vibrant News Directors. Stress, burnout, and industry pressures jeopardize that. We can do better... together.
News Director Community Groups
~ The fine print ~
Details and FAQs about Provision Insights’ News Director Community Groups.
Monthly Topics
1. Creating Culture
A successful news department requires intentional cultivation and nurturing. We’ll explore strategies to build an environment that reflects your values.
2. Smart Goals
News Directors are ambitious. But ambition without execution is useless. We’ll identify smart strategies to surface objectives and build measurable, time-bound key results.
3. Courageous Conversations
Hard talks are inevitable. But difficult conversations can have a transformative impact. We’ll share best practices on getting the most out of difficult one-on-one encounters.
4. Encouraging Enterprise
A limited staff with limited experience can struggle to get beyond the “must covers.” We’ll consider proven methods to create content that’s relevant, interesting and original.
5. Recruiting and Retention
Fewer people are entering the industry. Yet content needs are growing. It’s never been more important to recruit well keep current staff committed and engaged.
6. Ratings and Revenue
The tension between journalism and profitability doesn’t have to mean a sacrifice of integrity. We’ll surface win-wins to create uncompromising content and robust revenue.
Andy Miller
Founder and Operator of Provision Insights.
25 year news veteran. Former corporate content director for Nexstar Media.
At a Glance
The application
- Interested NDs will be asked to apply. The goal of the application is to ensure each participant is placed in a group optimized for their situation.
On Confidentiality
- Each participant will sign a covenant to follow group expectations, including a pledge not to share confidential information outside of the group setting.
in-market pairings
- News Directors who work in the same market will not be placed in the same group.
The Cost
- The cost of the Community Group is $900. NDs who pay their own way will be invoiced $150 per month. Stations that choose to cover the investment will be invoice $450 at launch and $450 after 3 months.
1 on 1 Coaching
- Provision Insights offers individual coaching in between group sessions to provide encouragement and accountability. The fee for that service is $900 over the course of six months ($150 per session).
Make Up sessions
- Given the relational nature of Community Groups, make up sessions will not be offered to News Directors who miss a meeting.
Upon Conclusion
- News Directors may choose to re-enroll into another group at the conclusion of six months. Additional monthly topics are currently in development.
News Director Coaching
The News Leadership accelerator
One-on-one coaching to help News Directors thrive.
Potential topics:
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- Creating a Culture of Excellence
- Navigating difficult conversations
- Maximizing team performance
- Employee retention tactics
- Targeting ratings growth
- The art of delegating
- Preventing burnout
Equip
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Offering News Leaders operational guidance to overcome common newsroom obstacles.
Encourage
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Moving away from simply surviving the stress of leadership to developing resiliency and strength.
Educate
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Learning core principals and solutions proven effective in newsrooms across the country.
Our Process:
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An introductory assessment:
- Surface primary objectives
- Review expectations
- Refine goals and measurable results
Monthly Zoom meeting:
- One hour each month
- One focus per meeting
- Monthly action items
Email correspondence:
- Check in before each session
- Same page after each session
Identifying Specific Problems ~ Implementing Specific Solutions
Each session will surface actionable objectives and key results to measure progress.
About Andy Miller:
Andy has been in the news business for more than 25 years, both as a News Director and as a regional corporate content director, where he had oversight of 24 stations’ news and promotional content.
The News Leadership accelerator
One-on-one coaching to help News Directors thrive.
A coach who will listen then guide.
Andy has been one of my most trusted mentors over my 18 years in the television news industry. Both as a co-worker and supervisor. Andy has advised me through several difficult news decisions in both the news content and staffing of my newsroom. I value his opinions and expertise and would not be where I am today without him.
Leisha Beard
Encouragement blended with smart strategy.
Andy is the consummate professional. Been there, done that! He understands what it takes to present a great newscast and how to get the best out of a news department. He can not only help improve a News Department, he can help teach the managers to manage better. He’s also one of the nicest guys you’ll meet in the TV business.
Kevin Harlan
VP/GM ~ WMBD/WYZZ Peoria (retired)
Intentional growth-driven leadership development.
I worked closely with Andy on several significant projects and was consistently impressed by his performance. … Andy's combination of leadership, attention to detail, and ability to connect with others makes him an invaluable asset to any team or project.
Beth Jensen
News Director ~ KELO Sioux Falls
Station Consulting
Services offered include:
- Newscast feedback sessions with specific action items to immediately enhance content quality
- Corrective measures to improve workflow and maximize local staff output
- Dynamic strategy sessions to grow audience on broadcast and digital platforms
- Generation of new content-driven revenue projects
- Brand reinforcement strategies
- Assessment and coaching of news talent
- Follow up accountability and goal review
Basic
- Targeted content consult
- Actionable feedback
- Monthly 30-minute virtual meetings over 6 months
- Ideal for individuals or groups
$3,000
Standard
- Comprehensive consult
- Monthly 60-minute virtual meetings over 12 months
- 2-day site visit within the first 6 months
- Develop, implement, and review action plans
$8,500
+ Travel
Premium
- Comprehensive consult + market research
- Digital survey and focus group sessions in market
- (2) 2 day site visits
- Monthly 60-minute virtual meetings over 18 months
- Market exclusivity
$17,500
+ Travel
Let’s talk!
Schedule a quick conversation!
My calendar is your calendar
Email Address
Phone Number
(217) 390-8996