About Power the Press

Hi, I’m Agnes Varnum. After years of running events at The Texas Tribune, I launched Power the Press to help media organizations make the most of their events. I bring my experience in event planning, programming, production, and promotions to newsrooms and teams eager to grow their impact through powerful, community-centered events.

Throughout my career—from academia to nonprofits to news media—I’ve seen firsthand the power of bringing people together around important stories. When journalism steps off the page and into the room, it sparks meaningful conversations, fosters connections, and strengthens the relationship between newsrooms and their communities.

The media landscape may be challenging, but I see events as a bright spot—an opportunity to build deeper community ties and unlock new revenue streams. My work at Power the Press centers on this dual mission: supporting essential journalism and creating spaces for impactful gatherings.

How I Can Help

I offer a range of support for individuals and organizations producing news events—from accessible memberships for advice, networking, and skill-building, to customized consulting services designed to drive big results.

Power the Press Community
Unlike other newsroom functions, event producers don’t yet have a professional community to turn to for support, learning, and collaboration. The Power the Press community fills that gap. From individual creators to established teams, our members gain access to shared insights, professional development resources, and the camaraderie of peers who understand the unique challenges of news event production.

Consulting and Event Strategy
Need more targeted support for a specific project? I work directly with newsrooms, editors, and media leaders to design event strategies tailored to your goals. Whether it’s hosting an intimate roundtable or producing a large-scale festival, I’ll help you create a vision and a plan that resonates with your audience and reflects your mission.

Large-Scale Event Production
Taking on a bigger production? I’ve spent years managing complex events and can guide your team through every stage—from concept to execution. My goal is to build your team’s capacity, so you feel confident and prepared to run future productions independently.

Ready to Power Up Your Events?

Let's talk about your event goals and challenges. Schedule a free consultation where I'll:

• Learn about your current event program
• Share relevant case studies and ideas
• Suggest next steps tailored to your needs

Why Work With Me?

• 15+ years producing successful media events, including The Texas Tribune Festival
• Experience with newsrooms of all sizes, from local startups to major institutions
• Proven strategies for engaging audiences and generating revenue
• Hands-on support tailored to your newsroom's needs and goals

Coming Soon: Two Exciting Projects

CivicStage – An AI-Powered Event Toolkit
Drawing on years of experience in news events, I’m developing an AI-powered tool designed to streamline event planning for newsrooms of any size. CivicStage (working name) will feature ready-to-go templates, budgets, and workflows, helping teams get events off the ground with data-informed choices and tools to support every phase of event production.

A Civic Event Space for Austin Media Organizations (TX)
I’m also building a civic event space and café in Austin, Texas—a purpose-built venue where media organizations can connect with the community. This space will bring journalism and civic dialogue together in a vibrant, collaborative setting, creating a new model for community engagement.