Dana Piccoli has been promoted to Managing Director of News is Out, the queer media collaborative.
Piccoli previously served as editor of News is Out, joining the collaborative in December 2021. Piccoli led the launch of newsisout.com in July 2022 and has also been a lead contributor to the site, writing articles on breaking LGBTQ+ news, politics, lifestyle and entertainment.
The groundbreaking News is Out collaborative, made up of six leading LGBTQ+ media outlets – Bay Area Reporter, Dallas Voice, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg Magazine, Washington Blade and Windy City Times – has grown considerably since its inception in 2021.
Piccoli has shepherded News is Out’s steady rise with a 200% increase in website traffic from 2022 to 2023 and 150% growth in email subscribers.
This February the collaborative announced its partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal and Word In Black on The Digital Equity Local Voices Lab. The lab is anchored by 16 year-long fellowships covering Black and LGBTQ+- topics in the media and supporting emerging journalists with a passion for reporting on issues of importance to these communities.
Piccoli will liaise with the six News is Out fellows as part of her expanded role.
Before joining News is Out, Piccoli spent over a decade covering LGBTQ+ issues with a concentration in queer representation in television and film. In 2023, she won an inaugural Curve Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage for her work over the years.
“I’m beyond thrilled to be a part of News is Out and work with these incredible publishers, editors and writers everyday,” said Piccoli. “I’m so proud of the work we have done at News is Out to create a better future for all queer media.”
Penny Riordan, LMA’s Director of Business Strategy and Partnerships, has been working with Piccoli since she was hired.
“When we launched News is Out, we knew our first hire should be someone who lives and breathes LGBTQ+ media. Dana has been that person for us since the beginning. We are thrilled to be able to expand her role as new funded projects have been added to the collaborative.”
About News is Out
News is Out is a pioneering national collaborative of six of the legendary local queer news publishers. We deliver compelling journalism, which engages, amplifies and connects the LGBTQ+ community. newsisout.com
About Local Media Association / Local Media Foundation
Local Media Association brings all media together to share, network, collaborate and more. More than 3,000 newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, digital pure-plays, and research and development partners engage with LMA as members or constituents of our programs. As a 501(c)(6) trade association, LMA is focused on the business side of local media. Its programs and labs focus on revenue growth and new business models. LMA helps local media companies develop their strategies via cutting-edge programs, conferences, webinars, research and training.
Local Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable trust, serves as the innovation and transformation affiliate of LMA. Incorporating our four strategic pillars — business transformation, journalism funded by philanthropy, industry collaboration, and sustainability for publishers of color — LMF helps provide local media companies the strategies and resources for meaningful innovation and impactful journalism projects.