cont’d…
The Problem
Traditional news organizations are in a free fall. Staff reductions and coverage cutbacks have created an information void among communities that should be connected though climate, culture and cousins, river, rail and roads. What happens in Arkansas matters in Tennessee and Alabama and Mississippi. Yet there is no organized communication network among them. Accidents or serious community health issues make the need for sharing information more than “downright neighborly” — it’s “downright crucial”. >See examples
A Solution
The Mid-South needs a fresh, community-driven approach to news and information about environmental and public health. Our coverage strategy is the opposite of traditional newsroom models. We will start with public input gathered from our social networks and a community editorial board comprised of subscribers, regional reporters and businesses. Discussion and debate will follow and only then will we assign coverage. The Green Rocket will build an innovative “news ecosystem,” one based on shared information and community engagement, that will overlay the environmental ecosystem of the Mid-South. It is the kind of creative disruptive force that can reshape traditional journalism, engage and strengthen communities.
How will it work?
The business model includes a simple tiered subscription service, a Green Business directory, Sponsorships and robust suite of Client Services.
Subscriptions: We offer basic or premium services on an annual or semi-annual basis. Basic subscribers get access to all of the community building features of the website. Premium subscribers will join our editorial board to help us shape coverage decisions, and enjoy full access to in-depth reporting projects as well as all of the community building features of the website.
Sponsors: The Green Rocket will solicit and welcome sponsors who share our mission of improving public and environmental health. They will have a voice on our editorial board, have full access to the website and receive discounted rates for client services.
Local businesses: We will support a business directory that starts with a free basic listing and prices will rise as features are added. Any business can join our editorial board their only commitment is to purchase a premium subscription and participate.
The structure?
The Green Rocket is like crabgrass, short on the top but with a killer root system. It begins with growing a strong social media presence. Readers, businesses and journalists can join an editorial board of “equals” and use the innovative All Our Ideas software to discuss and rate story ideas. An editor who “gets the concept” will shape a report that connects regional issues to local news, and vice versa.
And just like crabgrass The Green Rocket could pop up anywhere. The model and structure are totally scalable to any geographic area, or specific area of interest. It closely resembles the vision of the future described by industry observer Ben Thompson in a report recently published on the Nieman Journalism Lab website. The Green Rocket is lean, flexible, and tightly focused on informing, engaging and equipping the Mid-South to tackle its most stubborn problems.
