Futures Lab Update #130: Election Tool for Local Newsrooms; Advice on Reaching Millennials

This week we explore a web-based tool for local election coverage, and we get advice on creating news for millennial audiences.

PART 1: Electable

Electable is a Web-based tool under development that could help smaller local news organizations connect audiences with information about candidates in local elections. We find out how it works from founder and Chief Executive Officer Adam Nekola.
Reporting by Andrew Hébert and Berkeley Lovelace.

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PART 2: News for millennials

Digital media strategist Jennifer Maerz worked with the American Press Institute to identify some of the best ways to deliver news effectively to younger audiences. We spoke with her to get some ideas for newsroom leaders.
Reporting by Adam Pressler, Reuben Stern and Rachel Wise.

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For more information:

The full report Maerz authored for the American Press Institute identifies nine specific strategies for connecting with younger news consumers.

Additional research from API suggests millennials are already paying for various content and might be willing to pay to consume news as well. Other research identifies four specific types of millennial news consumers: “the unattached,” “the explorers, “the distracted” and “the activists.”

Reuben Stern is the deputy director of the Futures Lab at the Reynolds Journalism Institute and host and co-producer of the weekly Futures Lab video update.

The Reynolds Journalism Institute’s Futures Lab video update features a roundup of fresh ideas, techniques and developments to help spark innovation and change in newsrooms across all media platforms. Visit the RJI website for the full archive of Futures Lab videos, or download the iPad app to watch the show wherever you go. You can also sign up to receive email notification of each new episode.