The titles for possible new jobs at Gannett are intriguing, descrrptive and I don't think that they are so much of the future, but should be implemented right now.
A recent Jim Romenesko piece describes the new job descriptions for positions that will be available at the Pensacola News Journal, one of Gannett's titles, which apparently will be used as the laboratory to test these new job descriptions.
I like what I see:
Community Content Editor
Analyzes audience needs and procures complementary community content for all platforms, such as stories, photos, videos, news briefs and blogs.
Content Coach
Coaches, supervises and directs the work of reporters, encouraging independent planning and self-direction.
Engagement Editor I
Plans and executes engagement opportunities to maximize community impact and story resonance in print, digital, community event and social media settings.
Photographer/Videographer I
Creates and develops visual storytelling across multiple platforms, using both photography and videography to inform, engage and entertain fan bases.
Planning Editor (print or digital)
Uses high level of expertise and judgment to determine the placement of content and has final say in the finished product. Planning editor supervise [sic] producers and has the authority to enforce deadlines.
Producer 1 (print or digital)
Manages the delivery of content to digital and print platforms and meets deadlines.
This is a step forward in breaking through the legacy barriers in the newsroom. Sometimes it all begins with a new title and job description, which is obviously what we see here. Missing from the list: Multimedia Editor.
Missing from the list: Multimedia editor.
To me this is key, as we will see more newspapers producing multimedia packages, those in which the narrative is not the only storytelling tool, but where the reporter appeals to the senses via audio, video, photo galleries, all enhancing the story, not repeating what the narrative includes.
The presence of a Multimedia Editor also guarantees that there will be those in the newsroom whose main concentration will be more in-depth pieces, investigative reports, full fledged features and interviews.
However, the new approach to jobs via Gannett is refreshing and I am sure other publishing houses will be watching with interest.
Previously in TheMarioBlog about this subject
Job titles in the newsroom: they are changing—some are outright funny
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Indeed, it is a changing media world when such titles as “Things” editor, distribution editor, correspondent for progress or even correspondent for peculiar people (I want that job!) are now part of what we see as normal titles.
Of related interest
Gannett Creates “The Newsroom of the Future”–Again
http://jimromenesko.com/2014/08/06/gannetts-always-looking-to-create-the-newsroom-of-the-future/
Decoding The Tennessean's “Newsroom Of The Future” Statement
Tennessean unveils bold new structure for newsroom
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The bottom line is that we're embarking on an ambitious project to create the newsroom of the future, right here in Nashville. We are testing an exciting new structure that is geared toward building a dynamic, responsive newsroom. This is a “reset” for us, an entirely different way of operating that gives us more reporters and columnists and puts them even closer to the communities they cover. Our goal is to empower them to be more focused on YOUR needs and interests.
Gannett’s changes bring excitement, some pain, and a full-time beer beat –
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Yesterday was a busy one for Josh Awtry. He was one of a handful of editors at Gannett-owned papers around the country who spent the day explaining to reporters and staff the specifics of some big changes coming their way. Gannett, which recently announced it is splitting its publishing and broadcast divisions into separate businesses, will also see several newsrooms restructured in the coming weeks. –
Trends of Interest
Guardian Media Group CEO Andrew Miller on the state of the Guardian (Medium)
https://medium.com/@AndrewMiller100/going-global-in-a-digital-world-c10cd67e69fd
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“We have transformed our business from a British newspaper to a global media organisation, leading the way by putting digital at the heart of everything we do, and following our readers across the platforms and devices on which they choose to consume their media,” writes Andrew Miller in this piece detailing the current status of the Guardian. Two thirds of their readers now come from outside the UK and this financial year they reported a 24 percent revenue increase to just short of £70 million.
Promos We Like
Sometimes we know that the story pitched in that promo is definitely coming!