Innovations in media: Kerr County Lead

Relentlessly creative is how I describe Louis Amestoy, my former compadre at The Bakersfield Californian. Louis is passionate about local media and is constantly unearthing new ways to serve readers and advertisers in new ways. 

Over the past two decades, he’s been a leader in leveraging live video of all kinds into other content streams. A recent example of this comes via the Kerr County Lead, the 5-year-old digital-first media company he founded and operates in Kerrville, Texas. 

Amestoy is a multimedia master who hosts an hour-long livestreamed video show on Facebook every weekday morning in addition to producing a wide variety of stories, photos and video for his robust community-news site. 

Of particular note for me was Amestoy’s production of a glossy 160-page, perfect-bound “2025 in Review” magazine featuring a variety of original content, but with a primary focus on the tragic flooding in Kerr County that killed 119 people on July 4. The issue — with the overarching cover headline “Our duty is simple: Remember” — is dominated by a hard-hitting analysis of the flood and its aftermath, and a celebration of those who lost their lives. But other content spotlights the many positive things that occurred in the market during 2025. Amid the tragedy, Amestoy reminds his readers that there's still much for which to be thankful. 

Kerr County Lead is primarily a digital operation; it’s only previous print publication was a special newspaper printed a few weeks after the flooding. Amestoy knows how to go big and smother a story in ways that surprise and delight. 

To make the Year in Review magazine happen, Amestoy presold $10,000 worth of advertising to cover the costs of printing 1,000 copies. The magazine retailed for $10, but Amestoy said he gave most to paying subscribers, advertisers and other readers.  

Amestoy loves print as a concept and he enjoys the design process. But he knows print economics are challenging, so creating a paper product remains a rarity, something to consider only when those special events warrant the extra effort and provide his audience with something they can keep and cherish for years to come. 

In recognition of the Lead’s terrific work in covering the July 4 flooding, the Texas Managing Editors in April showered Amestoy and Lead journalist Jennifer Dean with eight prestigious awards, including honors while competing against much larger news operations. 

It should be no surprise that back in 2024, Amestoy was chosen for Editor & Publisher magazine’s “15 Over 50” list of innovative news professionals."