Month: April 2026

The 2026 State of the Media: Fragmentation, Influence, AI | eNews from OWC | eNews from OWC

Posted on April 30, 2026 by - eNewsletter

News is relentless, repetitive, and shaped by what spreads fastest rather than what matters most. Traditional media continues to contract, yet its reach has expanded across digital, social, and AI-driven platforms. The bidding battle between Netflix and Paramount for Warner Bros. Discovery is a clear example, quickly escalating from industry news to global headlines across every channel at once. Attention is scattered, timelines are compressed, and AI accelerates everything.

These issues are food for thought for a public relations strategy, but first, what does the playing field look like and how has it really changed?

The Rise and Fall of Traditional Media: Newsroom contraction persists. The Medill School of Journalism’s State of Local News Report tracked 136 newspaper closures in 2025, up from 130 the year prior. The U.S. has lost nearly 3,500 newspapers and more than 270,000 newspaper jobs over the past two decades. Fewer than 6,000 newspapers remain, and most are weeklies. As print and broadcast audiences decline, competition for earned coverage, as opposed to paid ads or advertorials, intensifies while digital native outlets continue to grow.

Trust in Media vs. Alternative Sources: Trust in traditional media remains fragmented as audiences turn to alternative voices, such as influencers, independent creators, and AI tools. The Edelman Trust Barometer 2026 found that among those who trust influencers, 57% would trust or consider trusting a company they currently distrust if recommended by a financial influencer. Businesses still rank among the most trusted sources of information. This creates an opportunity for a company to be an influencer all on its own.

Digital and Social Video Lead Consumption: 86% of U.S. adults at least sometimes get news from a smartphone, computer, or tablet, including 56% who do so often, according to the Pew Research Center. Digital is now the dominant channel. About half of U.S. adults get news from social media, and video platforms continue to gain ground. 38% of U.S. adults say they regularly get news on Facebook, and 35% say the same about YouTube. Short form, mobile-first content is no longer optional. It is the default.

Social Media Power and Platform Shift: Social media remains central to communications strategy. Most companies now invest heavily, and the vast majority incorporate paid social. YouTube and Facebook remain the most widely used platforms, while TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reddit continue to grow. These platforms are key gateways for news discovery, especially among younger audiences under 30.

Fragmentation, Influencers, and AI Disruption: The media ecosystem is more fragmented than ever, with audiences spread across news sites, social platforms, podcasts, and AI-driven discovery tools. Fortune Magazine’s Nick Lichtenberg produced more stories in six months (over 600) than any of his colleagues delivered in a year, thanks to AI. Muck Rack’s State of Journalism 2026 shows 82% of journalists now use at least one AI tool, up from 77% last year. ChatGPT is used by 47% of journalists, Google Gemini rose from 13% to 22%, and Claude doubled from 6% to 12%. At the same time, 26% cite unchecked AI as a top concern, up from 18%. AI has reshaped how news is discovered, summarized, and distributed. This adds both opportunity and complexity.

The New Reality: Multi-Channel by Default: There is no longer a single primary news source. Audiences split across news organizations at 36%, search engines at 28%, and social media at 19% as their first stop for breaking news. Visibility now depends on showing up across channels at the same time.

Breaking through today takes persistence, not one outreach. It requires disciplined follow up with media, rapid response to the news cycle, and a coordinated presence across earned, owned, and social channels. Visibility now belongs to organizations that move early and stay in front of the conversation.

IN THE NEWS

California Virtual Academies (CAVA) Teacher Featured on CBS Sacramento

CBS Sacramento featured a CAVA teacher, who shared insight on how families can help students build safe and responsible habits with technology. The segment focused on clear expectations, parent and student communication, and how early awareness supports stronger decision-making online. Watch the segment here.

ADVFN’s The Watchlist interviews Nuvve CEO

Nuvve CEO Gregory Poilasne was featured on ADVFN’s The Watchlist. He spoke about Nuvve’s expansion through a series of battery storage projects across Europe while advancing flexible energy solutions in Japan. Click here to watch the full interview.

ICYMI: Talk PR with Maria Contreras-Sweet

The latest episode of Talk PR featured Maria Contreras-Sweet, former Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Board Chair of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. She shared her perspective on the small business landscape, reflected on her leadership experience, and highlighted California’s position as the world’s fourth-largest economy. Tune in here.

California Virtual Academies Teacher Featured on CBS Sacramento Segment

Posted on April 29, 2026 by - Client News

Technology plays a central role in how students learn and connect each day. Many families want clear guidance on how to help children use it in safe and thoughtful ways.

A California Virtual Academies teacher joined CBS Sacramento to share practical tips families can use at home. The segment focused on how students can build healthy habits with technology while still gaining the benefits it brings to learning. The conversation emphasized the value of clear expectations around screen use, open dialogue between parents and children, and awareness of online content. These steps help students build confidence and make informed choices as they use digital tools.

This approach reflects how California Virtual Academies supports students beyond academics. Digital citizenship remains a core part of the experience, with a focus on responsible technology use and strong decision-making. Families continue to look for ways to support their children in a connected world. These insights offer simple steps that can make a meaningful difference.

Olmstead Williams Communications Makes Big Jump Among Largest LA PR Firms

Posted on April 16, 2026 by - OWC News

Los Angeles, April 16, 2026 – Olmstead Williams Communications (OWC), the Los Angeles tech public relations firm, rose to 14th on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2026 list of the Largest Public Relations Firms, a jump from No. 27 in 2025. The annual list ranks firms based on employee count and overall growth, highlighting the region’s leading communications agencies.

“We work with the best brands and companies in the country, many of which have been with us for more than five years. Expectations are high, and our performance makes the work rewarding,” said Tracy Williams, President and CEO.

Now in its 19th year, the firm works with leaders in medtech, fintech, education, and professional services, and has consistently supported nonprofit organizations such as Saban Community Clinic. Services include crisis and litigation communications, media relations, and the training of C-Suite staff for the national news media stage.

OWC identifies reputation risks early and executes imaginative strategies to maintain strong positions in AI-driven search, social media, and digital platforms. The client base continues to expand among companies in high-visibility environments where communication plays a central role in shaping market perception and supporting growth.

More at www.olmsteadwilliams.com.

Talk PR: An interview with LA World Affairs Council’s Maria Contreras-Sweet | eNews from OWC

Posted on April 16, 2026 by - eNewsletter

Maria Contreras-Sweet is the former Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Today, she is the Board Chair of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. On the latest episode of Talk PR, she shares her take on the current small business landscape, her leadership history, and reminds us about California’s prowess as the fourth-largest economy in the world, only behind China, Germany and the U.S.

IN THE NEWS

OWC listed among LABJ’s Largest Public Relations Firms

OWC ranked No. 14 on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2026 list of the Largest Public Relations Firms in LA. Since its founding in 2008, OWC has consistently ranked among the top firms in Los Angeles. Read the full announcement here.

Infigo featured in E-Commerce Times

OWC secured coverage in E-Commerce Times for Infigo, a global leader of enterprise-grade web-to-print software. Infigo plays a key role in advancing AI-driven automation in B2B print. Demand for personalization, speed, and efficiency continues to grow, making print providers move from manual workflows to connected systems built to scale. Click here for the full story.

Energy Storage (ESS) News highlights Nuvve’s partnership with OMNIA Global

Nuvve’s recent partnership with Swiss-based investment firm OMNIA Global was covered in ESS News. Nuvve is a global leader in advanced energy storage and grid modernization solutions and partnered with OMNIA Global to develop more than 1 GW of battery energy storage system projects across Europe. Read the full story here.

Op-ed from California Virtual Academies (CAVA) faculty featured in Napa Valley Register

The Napa Valley Register ran an op-ed by CAVA instructional lead Toni Rivera Ramos. She addresses gaps in high school reading skills and outlined how structured literacy support helps students build confidence and succeed across subjects. Don’t miss the full story here.

California Virtual Academies Op-Ed was featured in Napa Valley Register

Posted on April 1, 2026 by - Client News

Many parents are surprised to hear that reading instruction does not end in elementary school. By the time students reach high school, they are expected to read complex texts, analyze information, and apply what they read across all subjects. Yet for many teenagers, reading is still a skill that is developing.

I regularly see gaps in foundational reading skills in my work supporting high school students. These gaps were never fully addressed earlier. About one-third of high school students are reading two to three grade levels below where they need to be at the beginning of the school year. Students often find ways to cope and skim assignments, avoid longer texts, or rely on summaries. These strategies can help students get by, but they do not build fluency, stamina, or confidence as readers.

This matters because high school reading requires much more than understanding the main idea. Students are expected to evaluate sources, recognize bias, and explain their thinking with evidence. These skills depend on strong vocabulary, background knowledge, and the ability to focus on text for extended periods of time.

A vital strategy in adolescent literacy is teaching both students and secondary teachers that reading is a complex neurological process that requires many parts of the brain to work in sync. When students understand that their brain is essentially “wiring” itself to connect visual symbols to sounds and meanings, it can demystify their struggles and reduce the stigma of needing help. Challenges in any one area, from visual processing to linguistic integration, can make learning feel frustrating.

For many years, reading support for older students was often treated as something separate from regular instruction. Research on how adolescents learn to read has helped shift that belief. We now understand that reading skills continue to develop well into the teenage years and benefit from clear instruction and consistent practice.

At California Virtual Academies (CAVA), this understanding shapes how we approach literacy in high school, integrating structured reading support into core instruction rather than treating it as an add-on.