T-A-L-E-N-T.

I have heard over and over, “it isn’t always WHAT you know, but WHO you know.” It is important to meet the “right” people, build relationships and utilize those connections to assist with the transition from college to the professional workforce. This thought process doesn’t put much emphasis on the importance of talent – a unique, personal ability to go above and beyond in your chosen field – but after visiting “TBD” and “Politico” yesterday, I have learned that some very successful organizations understand the importance and power of having talented people throughout their organization.

“TBD” – local, local, local

This is an interesting start-up website that provides local content, engages its audience through social media and strives to provide information that specific people would like to know (i.e. an excellent iPhone application that tracks the Metro to the minute). Part of “TBD”’s immediate success is due to their partnership with a local TV station – this allows information to immediately be posted online and communicated via a news broadcast announcement.

We discussed their use of social media and every time I asked about it, I feel like I learn something more about this marketing and communication tool. Forums like facebook and Twitter are multipurpose – they can help the organization promote to and engage with an audience, monitor any chatter about a specific organization or product and finally, be used to find sources and stories about events that people care about. This is something “TBD” is doing on a daily basis and learning as they go about how to best serve their very local public.

TBD Faceboook
TBD Twitter

This website concept is brand new, and it is too early to tell how successful it will be (despite the fact it already has 3,500 followers on Twitter and people already know to reach out to “TBD” to receive as well as provide content) but perhaps in the future, there will be a TBD-Boston or TBD-Dallas…keep your eyes open.

"POLITICO" – Humble Success

Over the past two weeks, I have heard the name “Politico” roughly 50 times from our hosts. This extremely successful, powerful niche newspaper has become the most important news source of people inside the beltway to read (online and/or in print). The reason for their success – talented reporters. Jim VandeHei, co-founder of “Politico”, humbly said that he and his partner really just wanted to create a comprehensive, specialized political news source – and the Washington Post wasn’t giving them the opportunity to do just that. Having gifted reporters that can “drive the conversation” about politics is what good journalism and writing is all about.

Their print newspaper has more of an in-depth analysis of what is happening (and is VERY difficult to find) while their online version is more accessible. VandeHei stated that instead of the majority of their money being put into marketing, they invest the majority of their money into their reporters and allow them to become a brand – a powerful brand that increases the influence and prestige of “Politico.”

“TBD” and “Politico” represent a hopeful "golden age" future for journalism – offering a quality product that is in demand by a specific audience. Newspapers and their reporters should be a brand and it is something that a marketing department can promote easily. This is the future. Hopefully.