Nexstar’s ‘The Hill’ Heads to New York to Broaden Ad Relationships
“The Hill” typically focuses on policy and politics in Washington. But last week, some of its editorial and business executives made a point of putting a spotlight on New York.
In a meeting held with ad agencies and potential sponsors, Bill Sammon, a senior vice president of Washington content for The Hill and NewsNation; Cherie Grzech, president of news and politics at The Hill and NewsNation; and Adam VerCammen, senior vice president of revenue for The Hill, discussed coverage that is likely to come in the weeks ahead, when the 2026 midterm election cycle will grow more frenetic. They were joined by journalists including Chris Stirewalt, Amie Parnes, Blake Burman, and Sylvan Lane. Nexstar Media, the large TV station owner, operates both The Hill and the cable-news outlet NewsNation.
The goal was to remind New York agencies that work with so-called “advocacy” clients, or people who want to sway decision makers to support or reject a particular cause or issue, about “The Hill,” which VerCammen says is “non partisan and brand safe,” two attributes advertisers seek when aligning themselves with news properties. In years past, advocacy advertising has been supervised by people in Washington, says VerCammen, but more of the New York agency offices have been getting involved.
Executives emphasized the publication’s coverage of Congress and the White House, but also its focus on healthcare, finance and technology, says Sammon. They also pointed to an uptick in web traffic. “The Hill” notched 1.24 billion page views across 2025, according to data from ComScore, a rise of 7% compared to 2024.
“We hope to keep it going,” says Sammon.
One way to do that will be an annual event that executives hope will draw more attention. A “Hill Nation Summit” is “our nerd Super Bowl,” says Sammon. “We bring Democrats and Republicans in the same venue adn ask them, ‘What is your plan to fix America?'” Some invitees break news that resonates far beyond the immediate meeting, he says.
In a meeting held with ad agencies and potential sponsors, Bill Sammon, a senior vice president of Washington content for The Hill and NewsNation; Cherie Grzech, president of news and politics at The Hill and NewsNation; and Adam VerCammen, senior vice president of revenue for The Hill, discussed coverage that is likely to come in the weeks ahead, when the 2026 midterm election cycle will grow more frenetic. They were joined by journalists including Chris Stirewalt, Amie Parnes, Blake Burman, and Sylvan Lane. Nexstar Media, the large TV station owner, operates both The Hill and the cable-news outlet NewsNation.
The goal was to remind New York agencies that work with so-called “advocacy” clients, or people who want to sway decision makers to support or reject a particular cause or issue, about “The Hill,” which VerCammen says is “non partisan and brand safe,” two attributes advertisers seek when aligning themselves with news properties. In years past, advocacy advertising has been supervised by people in Washington, says VerCammen, but more of the New York agency offices have been getting involved.
Executives emphasized the publication’s coverage of Congress and the White House, but also its focus on healthcare, finance and technology, says Sammon. They also pointed to an uptick in web traffic. “The Hill” notched 1.24 billion page views across 2025, according to data from ComScore, a rise of 7% compared to 2024.
“We hope to keep it going,” says Sammon.
One way to do that will be an annual event that executives hope will draw more attention. A “Hill Nation Summit” is “our nerd Super Bowl,” says Sammon. “We bring Democrats and Republicans in the same venue adn ask them, ‘What is your plan to fix America?'” Some invitees break news that resonates far beyond the immediate meeting, he says.