Innovation in Focus
Innovation in Focus is a series exploring new tech, tools and methods of storytelling for journalism. We interview experts, test ideas and provide our findings with templates, guidance and how-tos so you can implement the same innovations in your newsroom.
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Whether you’re a one-man band or a large metro, this series will help you take the next step in innovative journalism.
Email the editor: edinneen@rjionline.org
![Executive Director of the Columbia Missourian Elizabeth Stephens [left] and Innovation in Focus Editor Eden Dinneen [right] create the Missourian’s first ad campaigns together with Google Ad Grants.](https://rjionline.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/iif26081105.jpg)
Testing Google Ads Grant program to grow local audiences
Exploring how free search advertising may increase readership and newsletter subscriptions
Vibecoding a pitch evaluator for opinion pieces
Tips and a free no-code tool to build an editorial Gem.
How to get your reporters started with vertical video
Shifting from a word driven to a video-first mindset can feel like an entirely separate, overwhelming challenge. At the Detroit Free Press, we have started working to make producing vertical video more accessible for our reporters.
How to start a youth reporting program in your community
What Mirror Indy learned while launching a new summer program that helps young people report stories from their own neighborhoods.
Google Colab for data tracking and automation
Tips for data cleaning, set up and using APIs.
Building a local legislation tracker
Multiple municipalities, data extraction and getting started with automation.
Quick experiments to find what resonates with your audience
The Maine Monitor wanted to experiment with their vertical video strategy to increase reach and gain new viewers. They tried three different options. Here’s what they discovered.
How to get started creating vertical videos
A conversation with creator journalist Alexa Stone.
How to partner with a local business to grow your newsletter subscribers
We made coffee punch cards to incentivize customers to subscribe to a newsletter.
Driving newsletter subscriptions through postcards
A community engagement project, analog style Covering everything from school district events to sports in a Kansas town of about 6,000 residents, reporters at the Eudora Times are well connected with their community. Still, the paper was interested in extending their reach beyond their immediate surroundings. They also wanted to draw more eyes to their … Continued