ONA Weekly #435: We’re Hiring A Communications Manager

By on November 9, 2022

Work with us!

We are seeking a Communications Manager to join ONA’s mission to inspire and support innovation and excellence in digital journalism. This new position will be perfect for someone who wants to manage a digital marketing and communications portfolio, contribute creative storytelling ideas and support the global journalism community.

This position is open to remote candidates, with the option to work a hybrid schedule in our Washington, D.C. headquarters. Learn more about the position, salary, benefits and our team values.

Audience development tips from the pros

As newsrooms strive to be more inclusive and ensure their stories have a wider reach, “audience development” has become an essential and evolving job role. During ONA22, there was a large focus on this evolution and solutions. Following are some takeaways from sessions in the audience development and metrics track.

How can journalism be a public service if we don’t know what people need from us? In Listening to People Who Don’t Trust You To Reach New Audiences, it was made clear that really understanding your audience is key to answering that question. Some ways to better and more effectively reach and reflect audiences and build trust and goodwill include community outreach just to listen — never underestimate the value of being present.

Track your sources. Engage your community. These asks have been part of newsroom speak for decades. Speakers and audience members in Build Your Newsroom Strategy for Connecting with Communities of Color shared how diversity and community engagement need to be built into a newsroom’s culture and how requiring the entire staff to take on the responsibility — not just a committee — inspires authentic and meaningful action and connection.

It’s a common myth that younger audiences rely solely on social media for their news. How to Reach Younger, More Diverse Audiences dispels this myth and unlocks some of the ways we can really engage the Millennial and Gen Z populations (hint: they actually pay for news and use traditional news outlets). The session also explores tools such as newsletters, influencer engagement and videos as other ways to boost engagement, not just for younger audiences but for older and less-engaged readers as well. 

Reminder: 2023 Women’s Leadership Accelerator applications close Thursday, Nov. 10

Don’t miss the opportunity to join ONA’s tuition-free yearlong program for women leading change and innovation in digital journalism. The Women’s Leadership Accelerator offers coaching on individual challenges, workshops with industry leaders to deepen leadership and management skills and career-long support from a thriving network of changemakers. Apply by Nov. 10, 11:59 p.m. EST.  

To learn more about supporting the program, contact Jessica Strelitz, Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, at jessica@journalists.org.

On the calendar

Career opportunities

ONA’s Career Center is an excellent resource for jobs, fellowships and internships in digital journalism. Recent postings include:

On our radar

Directory spotlight

Bloomberg Industry Group

Since its founding as the Bureau of National Affairs – and from its transition to Bloomberg BNA and subsequently Bloomberg Industry Group – it has set the standard. Every day, Bloomberg Industry Group delivers the tools and information its clients need most. 

Dozens of technology companies, foundations, consultants and journalism organizations contribute to ONA’s mission throughout the year. Explore our Industry Directory to discover new tools and potential partners, or learn how to get listed.

Support ONA

There are many ways to help sustain ONA’s mission to inspire and support innovation in digital journalism.