Announcing the first News Revenue Hub Civic Studio cohort

The News Revenue Hub is pleased to announce the inaugural Civic Studio cohort — five innovative newsrooms selected to strengthen their multi-platform journalism strategy and cultivate meaningful audience engagement online.

The participating newsrooms — Bridge Michigan, Rewire News Group, MinnPost, The Marshall Project, and The Salt Lake Tribune — will receive hands-on multimedia training, tailored strategy development, and production support to produce compelling, mission-driven visual storytelling for video-focused platforms and social media. The year-long program is supported by the Google News Initiative.

Ashley Guckert, Project Director of Strategic Development at News Revenue Hub, explained that finalists were chosen through a rigorous application and interview process. Selected organizations demonstrated meaningful investment in social platforms, clear newsroom-wide commitment, and proven audience engagement.

The result is a diverse cohort that spans local, statewide, and mission-focused outlets. Some newsrooms have already developed strong followings, while others are in the early stages of expanding their platforms presence. Each will build a tailored strategy for growth while also benefiting from shared learning within the cohort.

The Salt Lake Tribune is building on its success with social-first video to reach younger and more diverse audiences across Utah. Rewire News Group is positioned to extend its reach through multiplatform strategies and the visibility of prominent voices such as co-chief content officer Imani Gandy. Bridge Michigan, with strong community engagement, will expand vertical video reporting using staff expertise in multimedia. MinnPost will advance efforts to connect with Minnesotans through accessible, platform-focused reporting. And The Marshall Project, through its award-winning Inside Story series, will broaden its multimedia presence and train staff for social-first reporting on criminal justice and equity issues.

Throughout the program, each newsroom will experiment with new formats, test strategies for reaching underserved audiences, and develop replicable approaches that can be applied across the industry.

“The goal is to help newsrooms meet audiences where they are and with content they want to engage with — without compromising the integrity and rigor of their reporting,” said Guckert.

“Platforms are where younger and increasingly diverse audiences spend their time, yet many newsrooms lack the resources or expertise to fully meet them there,” said Mary Walter-Brown, founder and CEO of the News Revenue Hub. “By providing both strategy and hands-on support, Civic Studio helps bridge that gap — ensuring rigorous, community-centered journalism thrives in digital spaces.”

The Hub will meet with Civic Studio newsroom liaisons weekly and leadership monthly to review performance, refine strategies, and plan next steps. Each newsroom will also establish engagement and growth goals in collaboration with the Hub. From staffing structures to workflow design, Civic Studio will guide participants in making organizational adjustments to achieve these goals, with ongoing support to ensure progress is sustained.

The Civic Studio pilot will begin in September. As part of its commitment to advancing the field, the Hub will document newsrooms’ experiences and publish case studies highlighting successes, challenges, and key lessons.

Looking ahead, the Hub intends to expand Civic Studio into a national service for news organizations ready to grow their reach on social platforms. “This pilot is proof of concept,” said Walter-Brown. “We are building a model that strengthens audience engagement, expands reach, and supports sustainability — not only for these five newsrooms, but for the industry at large.”

“These newsrooms already have tremendous potential,” Guckert added. “With the right strategies, tools, and support, they’ll be able to deepen their connections with audiences and elevate their social storytelling to the next level.”