Our Services
Your newsroom is already using AI. The question is whether anyone's in charge of it.
We help niche, regional, and B2B media companies build the policy, workflow, and training they need to use AI confidently — without the guesswork, legal exposure, or reader-trust damage that comes from winging it.
Who This Is
Built by a media operator. For media operators.
Signal & Story is led by Zach O’Brien — editor, publisher, and founder of Active NorCal, a 300,000+ audience niche media brand. Not an AI vendor. A media operator with 13 years of experience who has already integrated AI into a real editorial workflow — and is now helping other media companies do the same.
Who This Is For
Media companies navigating AI without a roadmap
Niche & Enthusiast Publishers
Your warmest market for AI adoption. You're small enough to feel the pain, funded enough to act. We know this world — we live in it.
Regional News Outlets
Under cost pressure with shrinking teams. AI feels existential and opportunistic at the same time. You need guidance, not just tools.
B2B Trade Media
Higher budgets, longer sales cycles, reader trust that can't be compromised. We understand the stakes.
How We Work Together
Four ways to work with us
From a quick diagnostic to full implementation — start wherever makes sense for your team.
Entry Point
$1,500 · 1–2 weeks
The AI Audit
A 2-hour discovery session, a current-workflow analysis, and a written AI Readiness Report that tells you exactly where AI can save time — and where it could hurt you. Credited toward The Full Build if you continue.
What's included
- 2-hour discovery call
- Current workflow mapping
- Written AI Readiness Report (10–15 pages)
- Prioritized opportunity list with ROI rationale
- 30-min debrief call
Core Offering
$5,000–$8,500 · 4–6 weeks
The Full Build
A custom AI Policy Document, staff training, workflow redesign, and two purpose-built AI tools trained on your brand voice. Six weeks. You walk away with infrastructure, not just a plan.
What's included
- Custom AI Policy Document
- Workflow redesign
- Staff training (live or recorded)
- 2 custom GPTs or Claude Projects
- 30-day email support window
Add-On
$750–$2,000/mo · Ongoing
The Retainer
Monthly strategy calls, policy updates as the AI landscape shifts, and priority access when your team has questions. Designed for Full Build clients who want to stay ahead of the curve.
What's included
- Monthly 60-min strategy call
- Tool recommendations as the landscape evolves
- Policy updates for industry changes
- Priority email access
- Quarterly workflow check-in
Speaking / Group
$2,500–$5,000 · Half or full day
The Workshop
A half or full-day live AI training for your editorial and ops team. Hands-on, tool-based, and built around your actual content — not generic AI theory. Delivered in-person or virtually.
What's included
- Custom curriculum
- Hands-on tool walkthroughs
- Editorial policy framework handout
- Q&A and real-time problem solving
- Recording rights for internal use
Client Deliverables
What every Full Build client walks away with
- Custom AI Policy Document (PDF + editable Word)
- Workflow map with AI insertion points annotated
- 2 custom AI tools (GPTs or Claude Projects) trained on your brand voice
- Staff training recording
- Quick-reference card for daily editorial use
- 30-day email support window
How It Works
The Full Build in five phases
01
Week 1
Discovery
2-hour call with stakeholders, workflow review, and pain-point identification.
02
Weeks 2–3
Policy Draft
Custom AI Policy Document written, with one revision round included.
03
Weeks 3–4
Workflow Design
AI insertion points mapped, custom GPT or Claude Project built and tested.
04
Week 5
Training
Live staff training session (60–90 min), recorded, with a leave-behind reference card.
05
Week 6 + 30 days
Handoff + Support
Full deliverables package, 30-day email support, and the retainer option presented.
Get Started
Book a free 30-minute conversation
Walk away with clarity on where AI can help your team — whether or not we work together. No pitch. Just a conversation.
Core packages start at $1,500. Most Full Build engagements run $6,500–$8,500.