Webster Marsh, Brendan McCartney Launch AI-Powered RepSpec News for the Lighting Industry
The lighting industry has always benefited from people willing to share ideas. That philosophy has guided EdisonReport since its founding more than 25 years ago. Rather than attack competitors or potential competitors, we embrace them. Our mission has always been to advocate for the lighting business, and we have never hesitated to help worthwhile industry initiatives succeed.
One of the newest examples is RepSpec News, an AI-powered weekday news briefing created through a collaboration between Webster Marsh and Brendan McCartney.
Designed for busy lighting professionals, RepSpec News delivers a concise audio recap of the day’s industry news every weekday morning. Whether listeners are commuting, traveling, or simply starting their workday, the goal is to provide an efficient way to stay informed.
According to Webster, the idea began with a simple question.
“I wanted a way to get an update every day on what was happening within the industry,” he said. “Then I thought it would be even better if there were an audio version people could listen to while commuting.”
Brendan already had the foundation in place. He had spent months developing RepSpec, an AI-powered platform designed specifically for lighting professionals.
AI Does the Heavy Lifting—But Humans Still Listen
Although artificial intelligence generates much of the content, Webster emphasized that every episode is reviewed by humans before publication.
The podcast uses an AI model trained with Webster’s commercially licensed voice. Before each episode goes live, he listens to the recording to ensure the information is accurate and the presentation sounds natural.
“I still want to have a human ear on it before it goes out,” Webster said.
The written news summary is updated around 7:00 a.m. Eastern each weekday. The podcast typically follows about 15 to 30 minutes later.
Listeners can subscribe by searching for RepSpec News on major podcast platforms or by visiting the RepSpec website to read the daily briefing.
A Much Larger Vision
The podcast represents only one part of the broader RepSpec platform.
Webster explained that RepSpec uses artificial intelligence to help lighting professionals generate documentation, locate information, assist with design tasks, and analyze industry trends. The free version is geared primarily toward lighting specifiers, while paid versions offer expanded capabilities for manufacturers, representatives, and distributors.
Brendan, whose background includes lighting controls, created the platform to help close information gaps throughout the lighting industry.
While the podcast currently includes dynamic advertising through its hosting platform, Webster hopes to partner with lighting manufacturers, agencies, and other industry organizations that want to support the service while reaching a highly targeted audience.
For companies looking to connect with engaged lighting professionals each weekday morning, RepSpec News represents a new sponsorship opportunity.
More Coverage Coming Soon
This article focuses on the launch of RepSpec News because it is the industry’s newest media platform. However, the technology powering it deserves a closer look.
In the coming weeks, EdisonReport will publish a follow-up interview with Brendan that explores the RepSpec AI platform itself, how it works, and what it could mean for the future of the lighting industry.
Innovation has always moved this industry forward. RepSpec News is an interesting new example, and we look forward to watching its growth.
Read more about C. Webster Marsh: Webster Marsh Joins ArchLIGHT Summit as Director of Education and Programming