This is Alabama

What This is Alabama does

This is Alabama is a digital content and media platform that publishes positive, community-oriented stories about the state of Alabama across lifestyle, business, food, tourism, sports, and civic categories. The platform distributes content primarily through its website (thisisalabama.org), a weekly Friday morning email newsletter, a Wednesday "Welcome Y'all" newsletter targeted at newcomers, and an Instagram channel. Its audience is Alabama residents and enthusiasts seeking feel-good state-focused content, while its paying customers are Alabama-based businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations that fund the platform through sponsored stories and an official partner program. The business model is sponsorship-driven: institutional partners such as Alabama Power, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Children's of Alabama, Bryant Bank, First Horizon, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Sweet Grown Alabama, Go Build Alabama, and the Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee pay for visibility through co-produced editorial content, logo placement, and partner-stories distribution. A secondary direct-to-consumer merchandise storefront (store.thisisalabama.org) supplements revenue.

The platform operates as a regional content brand under Advance Local Media LLC, which is the disclosed parent entity. The team is small — 7 employees based in Birmingham, Alabama — and the technology stack is not publicly disclosed beyond standard CMS-driven publishing. The flagship editorial program is "Women Who Shape the State," an annual recognition initiative currently accepting nominations for its 2027 edition. Distribution is entirely digital and single-state (Alabama only), with no disclosed mobile app, public API, or third-party integrations. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed, and pricing for partnership programs is opaque.

Name

This is Alabama

Legal name

Advance Local Media LLC

Website

https://thisisalabama.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

This is Alabama is a Birmingham-based digital media platform publishing positive, community-focused stories about Alabama, distributing via website, weekly Friday and Wednesday newsletters, and Instagram, and monetizing through sponsored content and institutional partnerships with Alabama-based organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Digital Media

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAJADAJ

Newsletters & Email-Based News Publishers (B2B/B2C)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/News Publishing (Newspapers, Digital Newsrooms, Wire Services)

Keywords

• Regional digital media
• Sponsored content publishing
• Email newsletter services
• State lifestyle journalism
• Partner content marketing

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Partner/Sponsor Content: The platform generates revenue through sponsored content and partner stories where organizations pay for or participate in content featuring their initiatives, events, and community involvement.
2. Partner Program: Companies and organizations become official partners of This is Alabama, receiving visibility through the platform's content and logo placement, in exchange for supporting the platform's mission of showcasing Alabama.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

This is Alabama is a digital regional media and storytelling platform that publishes positive, state-focused editorial content covering Alabama lifestyle, business, cities, food, community events, and human-interest stories. The platform distributes content through its website (thisisalabama.org), a weekly Friday email newsletter, a Wednesday "Welcome Y'all" newsletter, an annual Women Who Shape the State recognition program, partner/sponsored content placements, and a branded merchandise e-commerce store, with revenue generated primarily through partner sponsorships and sponsored editorial stories produced for Alabama-based businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations.

Product overview

This is Alabama is a digital news and media platform that publishes positive stories about Alabama across multiple content formats. The platform operates as a single unified offering centered on editorial content distribution through its main website, supplemented by two newsletter products (This is Alabama Newsletter delivered Fridays and Welcome Y'all Newsletter delivered Wednesdays), an annual Women Who Shape the State recognition program, and a partner-sponsored content initiative. The platform also maintains an e-commerce store for branded merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• This is Alabama Newsletter A weekly email newsletter delivering positive, curated stories about Alabama straight to subscribers' inboxes every Friday morning, covering lifestyle, business, cities, and community content.
• Welcome Y'all Newsletter A Wednesday-morning email newsletter featuring stories about what makes Alabama unique, targeted at newcomers to the state and readers who want to learn more about Alabama communities and lifestyle.
• News Content Platform (thisisalabama.org) The flagship digital news and media platform publishing regularly updated articles across categories such as Alabama Lifestyle, Feel Good Stories, City Happenings, Building Business, Good Causes, Alabama Cities, Food, Football, and Videos.
• Partner Stories (Sponsored Editorial Content) Sponsored editorial stories produced in partnership with Alabama-based businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations, distributed through the website, newsletters, and partner channels to provide brand visibility for partners.
• This is Alabama Shop (Branded Merchandise) An online merchandise store selling This is Alabama branded apparel and promotional items through the store.thisisalabama.org e-commerce storefront.
• Women Who Shape the State (Annual Editorial Program) An annual editorial program and recognition initiative celebrating women who make significant contributions to Alabama communities and industries, with an open nominations process and an annual cohort of honorees.

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Alabama PowermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlabama Power is a major partner of This is Alabama, featured in stories about Alabama communities, environmental conservation efforts, and state development. The partnership includes sponsored content and visibility through the platform's newsletter and website.
• Alabama Soil & Water Conservation CommitteecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState government agency focused on environmental conservation, partnered with This is Alabama to share stories about Alabama's natural resources and conservation efforts.
• Go Build AlabamacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkforce development initiative partnered with This is Alabama to promote construction careers and workforce training programs in Alabama through featured stories and content.
• Poarch Band of Creek IndiansmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Poarch Creek Indians are featured partners through their PCI brand, sharing stories about tribal culture, the PCI Museum, Pow Wow celebrations, and community initiatives including OWA Parks & Resort.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of AlabamamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor healthcare insurer partner featured in stories about community health initiatives, medical scholarships, and healthcare access in Alabama.
• Bryant BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAlabama-based bank partner featured in banking and business stories, including branch openings and community involvement.
• Children's of AlabamamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerChildren's of Alabama hospital is featured through partner stories about pediatric healthcare, Miracle Treat Day events with Dairy Queen, and community health programs.
• First HorizoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional bank partner featured in financial services stories and community development content.
• Sweet Grown AlabamamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural marketing organization partner showcasing Alabama farms, produce, farmers markets, and farm-to-table events through featured content and blog stories.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Only in Your State: Multi-state network of positive local-interest content sites including an Alabama vertical. Closest direct comparable in 'positive stories about [state]' format and newsletter model.
• Axios Local: Network of local newsletters delivering curated community news. Closely comparable newsletter-first distribution model targeting local audiences and brand sponsorships.
• 1819 News: Alabama-focused nonprofit news outlet launched by Advance Local alumni. Competes for the same Alabama reader and partner-sponsor attention with general news coverage.
• Made in Alabama: Alabama economic development and lifestyle storytelling platform operated by the Alabama Commerce Department. Closely comparable positive-content and partner-story format serving the same Alabama audience.
• Yellowhammer News: Alabama-focused digital media outlet covering politics, business, and culture. Competes for Alabama audience attention and advertiser budgets with a more news-oriented rather than positive-only lens.
• The Bitter Southerner: Regional storytelling platform covering Southern identity, culture, and community with positive, narrative-driven editorial. Comparable curated regional content approach and partner-friendly format.

Broad incumbents

• Garden & Gun: Regional lifestyle magazine and digital platform covering Southern culture, food, and community. Comparable positive Southern-storytelling positioning with premium sponsor and merchandise monetization.
• Southern Living: Regional lifestyle brand covering Southern U.S. culture, food, travel, and community stories. Comparable content verticals (lifestyle, food, community) and sponsor-friendly editorial model, though broader geography.
• AL.com: Alabama's largest general-interest digital news outlet, also operated under Advance Local Media LLC. Directly comparable in geography and parent company but focused on breaking news versus this platform's positive-story positioning.

Emerging players

• 2362 Media / Preference Digital (regional content studios): Regional digital content studios producing sponsored storytelling and lifestyle content for state tourism boards and brands. Comparable sponsored-content and partner-story production model for regional audiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/thisisalabama
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/this-is-alabama

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about This is Alabama