Jim Brady columns
Jim Brady is the CEO of Spirited Media, a media consulting firm which operated local news sites Billy Penn in Philadelphia, The Incline in Pittsburgh and Denverite in Denver before selling the businesses in early 2019. Prior to founding Spirited Media, Jim served as executive editor of washingtonpost.com, editor in chief of Digital First Media, head of news and sports at America Online and as public editor of ESPN.
Thanks to COVID-19, local news will never be the same. And it shouldn’t be
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Reynolds Journalism Institute or the University of Missouri. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our routines, transformed our social interactions and redefined our relationships. Yet, as odd as it sounds, we’ll likely come to appreciate some … Continued
The coronavirus crisis has made it clear: The future of journalism must be collaborative
If there’s one lesson Jim Brady has learned over 25 years in digital journalism, it’s that new ideas, new opportunities and new technologies are no match for old habits.
Journalism’s coverage combover isn’t fooling anyone
Visit many American cities, and you’ll find a local newspaper with a staff half the size of 15 years ago. Welcome to the Age of the Journalism Combover, where the necessary resources no longer exist to cover the desired terrain.
Want more revenue for local journalism? Develop an engaging voice
Developing an engaging voice remains one of the most underappreciated changes required for successful local digital transformation.
Social media is a trap
While we’ve been chasing that adulation and virality, social has been chipping away at the core of what journalism has spent decades building.
It’s time to get personal with consumers, or get lost
For decades now, journalism has had a tradition of being largely disconnected from its audience. And we didn’t talk much to the people we ostensibly served.
There’s a reader revenue revolution happening. Will legacy news miss it — again?
When it comes to legacy news media and any new digital innovation, you can usually count on two things: The innovation will begin too late, and even when it does, it’s often a half-measure that doesn’t make up lost time.