Susan Schuler: Winner – Women Leader in Hyperlocal Media & Community Advertising | International Women Awards 2026
- Great Companies
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The 8th International Women Awards 2026 by Great Companies celebrates women leaders who are building innovative businesses that strengthen communities, empower local economies, and create meaningful impact.
Among this year’s distinguished winners is Susan Schuler, Co-Founder & CEO of LobbyCast TV, honored as Winner – Women Leader in Hyperlocal Media & Community Advertising.
Based in Spokane, USA, Susan is redefining local advertising by transforming everyday waiting spaces into engaging community-driven media networks that help small businesses connect directly with local audiences.
Company Overview
Founder: Susan Schuler
Business: LobbyCast TV
Location: Spokane, USA
Founded: 2021
Category: Hyperlocal Media & Community Advertising
Industry: Advertising, Digital Media & Community Engagement
Website: https://www.lobbycast.tv/
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-schuler-01a24716/
Transforming Waiting Spaces into Community Media Networks
LobbyCast TV is an innovative digital media platform that combines interactive entertainment with hyperlocal business promotion.
The platform transforms:
Waiting rooms
Lobbies
Clinics
Lounges
Community gathering spaces
into engaging screens featuring:
Interactive trivia and entertainment
Local business promotions and deals
Community-focused content
Educational and fun programming
The mission is clear: To help local businesses become visible where communities already gather, wait, and engage.
A New Model for Local Advertising
What sets LobbyCast TV apart is its ability to blend:
Entertainment
Community connection
Local business promotion
Audience engagement
into one seamless experience.
Key differentiators include:
Hyper-local targeting within real neighborhoods and communities
Captive audiences in high-attention waiting environments
Affordable visibility for small and mid-sized businesses
Interactive content that keeps viewers actively engaged
Unlike traditional ads that are skipped or ignored, LobbyCast TV creates: Advertising experiences people actually watch and enjoy
Building a Community-Driven Media Platform
Susan co-founded LobbyCast TV (originally launched as Ad Local Value) with a vision to:
Strengthen local economies by helping entrepreneurs connect with nearby customers in meaningful ways.
Her leadership has guided the company’s evolution into:
A growing digital media network
A community-centered business ecosystem
A platform supporting local visibility and collaboration
At its core, LobbyCast TV is about more than advertising—It is about helping communities and local businesses thrive together.
Overcoming the Challenges of Building Something New
Launching a completely new media model came with significant challenges:
Educating businesses and venue partners on a non-traditional advertising concept
Building trust in a new type of digital network
Securing host locations and early adopters
Developing engaging content while scaling operations
Like many entrepreneurs, Susan also navigated:
Resource limitations
Market skepticism
The constant need for innovation and adaptability
Through persistence and collaboration, she transformed those challenges into a scalable and differentiated business model.
Leadership Rooted in Community and Collaboration
Susan’s leadership philosophy centers around:
Supporting local entrepreneurs and economies
Building collaborative business ecosystems
Creating opportunities through innovation and visibility
Delivering real value through community connection
She believes: Thriving businesses create thriving communities.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs
Susan shares thoughtful and empowering advice:
“Start with a clear purpose and stay committed to it, even when the path feels uncertain.”
She emphasizes:
Building strong relationships and support systems
Staying adaptable and open to feedback
Viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth
Trusting the unique perspective women bring to leadership and innovation
The Future
LobbyCast TV is focused on:
Expanding its network across more communities and regions
Strengthening local business engagement and visibility
Continuing to innovate interactive media experiences
Building one of the most trusted community-driven advertising ecosystems
The vision is to create a future where local businesses can grow through: Authentic community connection, engagement, and visibility
Official Recognition
Susan Schuler has been honored as the Winner – Women Leader in Hyperlocal Media & Community Advertising at the 8th International Women Awards 2026 by Great Companies, recognizing her contribution to innovative advertising, community engagement, and local business empowerment.
About the Awards
The International Women Awards by Great Companies celebrates women leaders who are driving innovation, impact, and excellence across industries worldwide.