Top Journalists to Give Unfiltered 2026 Real Estate Outlook

NEW YORK, NY – January 06, 2026

As the real estate industry navigates a complex and uncertain 2026, communications agency Gregory is set to pull back the curtain on how the market's story will be told. On January 15, the firm will host "Behind the Headlines," an exclusive, invite-only roundtable convening senior real estate executives with a formidable panel of national journalists from The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, the Associated Press, and Business Insider. The event, held at Manhattan’s Lambs Club, promises a rare, unfiltered conversation about media coverage priorities and the economic realities shaping both commercial and residential sectors.

The gathering comes at a critical juncture for the industry. It offers a select group of leaders a direct line to the reporters whose work influences investor sentiment, consumer confidence, and multi-billion-dollar transactions. The discussion aims to move beyond press releases and official statements to explore what truly captures a journalist's attention and which underlying trends are poised to dominate the narrative in the year ahead.

A Market at a Crossroads

The timing of the roundtable is particularly significant given the divergent paths of the real estate market in early 2026. While the word on the street is one of cautious optimism, the reality is a fractured landscape of distinct challenges and opportunities. The residential sector is showing signs of stabilization after a period of volatility driven by fluctuating interest rates. Forecasts from major financial institutions and real estate associations suggest modest price growth, but this hinges precariously on Federal Reserve policy and the persistent shortage of housing inventory that continues to prop up values even as affordability remains a major concern for buyers.

In stark contrast, the commercial real estate (CRE) market faces more profound structural shifts. The office sector, in particular, continues to grapple with high vacancy rates as remote and hybrid work models become permanently entrenched in corporate culture. This has created a tenants' market in many urban centers, forcing landlords to rethink amenities, lease terms, and the very purpose of office space. However, the CRE story is not one of uniform decline. The industrial and logistics sub-sector remains a powerhouse, fueled by the relentless growth of e-commerce. Meanwhile, retail is undergoing a Darwinian transformation, with experiential and necessity-based centers thriving while traditional malls struggle. This complex environment makes the insights of seasoned financial journalists, who can dissect these nuanced trends, more valuable than ever for industry decision-makers charting their course for 2026 and beyond.

Shaping the Narrative: The Journalists Behind the Headlines

At the heart of the event is the direct access it provides to the journalists themselves. The panel represents a cross-section of the nation's most influential business and financial reporting. The lineup includes Aarthi Swaminathan from MarketWatch, known for her data-centric reporting on housing and mortgages; Anne D'Innocenzio of the Associated Press, whose coverage of retail and consumer trends provides critical insight into commercial real estate's front lines; and James Rodriguez from Business Insider, who covers the housing market's dynamic shifts. Rounding out the panel are Rebecca Piccioto and Veronica Dagher from The Wall Street Journal, whose work delves into everything from major commercial transactions and investment funds to the personal finance decisions driving the high-end residential market.

For the executives in the room, this is an opportunity to understand the 'why' behind the headlines. "We spend our days helping clients understand the media landscape and break through with compelling stories," said Britni Ackrivo, Executive Vice President at Gregory, who will moderate the discussion. "Behind the Headlines flips that dynamic. Real estate executives get to ask the questions, hear what resonates with reporters, and understand the coverage priorities that will shape the conversation this year." This dialogue is crucial for leaders looking to communicate more effectively, anticipate media angles, and align their own narratives with the broader economic currents that these reporters track daily.

Gregory's Strategic Pivot to AI-Enabled Communications

Orchestrating this high-level dialogue is a strategic move for Gregory, an agency that has recently undergone its own transformation. The firm, which rebranded from Gregory FCA, has aggressively positioned itself as a leader in AI-enabled communications. Its role as a facilitator for the roundtable reinforces its core value proposition: leveraging deep industry knowledge and media relationships to create impact. The agency’s founder, Greg Matusky, highlighted the importance of this connection, stating, "Our relationships with top-tier real estate reporters run deep, and we know firsthand how valuable these conversations can be... Events like this build the kind of understanding that helps real estate leaders communicate more effectively when it matters most."

This commitment to innovation is backed by tangible accolades and proprietary technology. The agency was recently named PR Daily's 2025 Content Marketing Agency of the Year and earned a prestigious PRSA Silver Anvil Award for Best AI Integration. These honors recognize Gregory's development of tools like its Gregory Influence Engine, designed to optimize brand presence in generative AI search results, and CrisisCalm, an AI-driven crisis management platform. By hosting "Behind the Headlines," the firm not only showcases its thought leadership but also demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the modern media ecosystem, where stories are shaped by both human relationships and powerful new technologies.

The moderation of the event falls to Britni Ackrivo, who also hosts the award-winning 'PlotLines' podcast, which explores how media coverage moves markets. Her expertise in the interplay between narrative and financial impact makes her a fitting guide for a discussion intended to bridge the gap between the real estate industry and the press that covers it. As executives and journalists prepare to convene, the insights generated are expected to provide a crucial barometer for the real estate narratives that will define 2026.