As the Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences (GEMA), we recognize that the heart of our organization has long been rooted in television, especially local television, which remains an essential thread in the fabric of community connection, news, and entertainment.

But we also know that the local TV community is facing a perfect storm: shrinking budgets, smaller teams, and ongoing restructuring, all amid seismic shifts in how people consume media.

This is not a moment to retreat. It’s a moment to come together.

GEMA is hosting a Virtual Town Hall: a space for honest, hopeful, and productive conversation. This is not a complaint session. It’s a gathering to listen, learn, and explore how we can help uplift local television marketers and creatives who continue to do vital work, often under enormous pressure.

We’re bringing together respected voices from the industry, like Rick Lewchuk, former Head of Marketing at CNN and a current collaborator with local stations, and Riley Sexton, Head of Affiliate Marketing at FOX Entertainment - to lead the discussion. Together, we'll explore:

• What challenges local station marketers are facing now
• How community connection and innovation can thrive even amid constraints
• What GEMA might be able to do, big or small, to support the work you do

We hope you’ll join us, bring your perspective, and take part in a meaningful dialogue about the future of local television marketing.

Let’s work together to shape the path forward.

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