New media consultant

Training digital startups to award-winning legacy media

Senate Minoroty Leader Chuck Schumer addresses congressional press corps in the US Capitol just off the floor to the Senate. Photo: Matt Laslo

Behind-the-scenes

Since moving to Washington in 2006, Veteran political correspondent and new media Prof. Matt Laslo has studied the media in real-time.

 

Washington DC media consultant

Matt Laslo is a Washington, DC media consultant who has spent two decades straddling legacy and startup newsrooms—filing from Capitol Hill for WIRED, VICE News Tonight w/ HBO, Rolling Stone, Playboy, The Atlantic and a growing constellation of digital outlets.

Through The LCB, his regionally focused national wire service, he has delivered exclusive Washington coverage to more than 60 NPR member stations, five Pulitzer Prize‑winning outlets, alt‑weeklies, and nonprofit startups that otherwise couldn’t afford a full‑time bureau.[1][2]

Behind the scenes, Laslo has trained more than fifty interns and early‑career reporters whose bylines now appear at NPR, CNN, the Washington Post, Marketplace,  the New York Post and award-winning regional outlets.

Laslo’s turned The LCB into an informal hub for independent journalists. He offers hands‑on coaching and strategic guidance to legacy media outlets, digital startups and independent creators who need a trusted Washington, DC partner to help them stand out in today’s AI‑driven media environment.

AI media consulting for startups and established newsrooms alike

  • Strategic AI and media consulting for newsrooms, foundations, universities and independent journalists

  • Develop real-time playbook for combating disinformation, deepfakes and “fake news” on case-by-case basis

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) training

  • Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) training to move beyond traditional SEO and surface trustworthy reporting inside AI chatbots

  • AI ethics advising for editors, product leads, and startup founders working with sensitive political or civic data

Podcast strategy consultant

  • Talent development and mentoring rooted in training 50+ interns whose careers span NPR, CBS, CNN, Fox, Reuters, Washington Post, etc.

  • On‑air and on‑screen coaching for beat reporters, aspiring anchors and established hosts, informed by Laslo’s own work with C‑SPAN, Laura Coates Show, Scripps, Sean Spicer Show and national radio shows

  • Podcast strategy and format development across platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Reels and more

newsletter and membership model strategy

  • Coach hyper-local, regional and national outlets alike on sustainable strategies for newsletters, podcasts and membership models

  • Practical guidance on smart branding, audience trust and community building for independent media on platforms like Substack, Patreon, Mailchimp, etc.

Remote studio and home‑office build‑outs

  • Studio and home‑office build‑outs, including lighting, sound, framing and backgrounds for professional remote hits