1st Edition
An Introduction to News Product Management Innovation for Newsrooms and Readers
Drawing on innovations in the business of journalism, this book offers a comprehensive guide to using the human-centred design methods of product management to serve readers and bolster digital success in news organizations.
An Introduction to News Product Management sets out how “product thinking” should be used in news organizations and practiced in accordance with journalistic ethics and customs. Beginning by looking at the history and theory behind the profession, this book builds a foundational understanding of what product management is and why news is a unique product. In the second unit, the author discusses how the human-centred design philosophy of product management aligns with the mission and ethics of journalism, and how that influences the view of audiences and frames strategies. The third unit of the book focuses on the daily use of product management in news organizations, providing students with a guide to its use in researching, prioritizing, and building sustainable projects that deliver news to readers and viewers. Written in an accessible style, this book features input from industry experts and draws on global examples to provide practical guidance.
This is an ideal text for advanced undergraduates and graduates studying entrepreneurial journalism, media innovation, and digital media economics, as well as media professionals keen to learn more about product management and human-centred design methods.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
What Is Product Management?
1. The News Product Manager
2. A Brief History of Product Management
3. Theories of Product Management
4. Theories of Innovation
Product Management in News
5. The Business of Content
6. Managing News Innovation
7. The Mission of News Product
Making News Products
8. Product Is Research
9. Product Is Prioritization
10. Product Is Building
11. Product Is Learning
Glossary
Index
Biography
Damon Kiesow is Knight Chair in Journalism Innovation at the Missouri School of Journalism, USA.
Damon Kiesow has written a book that, for the first time, fully, clearly, and eloquently outlines the ideas behind news product thinking, why it matters, and how to do it. No one knows the topic better, his prose is wonderfully clear, and the book’s organization is inspired.
Tom Rosenstiel, Co-author of The Elements of Journalism
Through critical analysis and real-world examples, Damon Kiesow demonstrates how news product management can drive sustainable innovation and ensure that what media organizations do leads to better service for communities.
Feli Carrique, Executive Director, News Product Alliance
No one better than Damon Kiesow—an innovator and leader in news product—to explain the importance of this first new job description in news in a century. This book will teach journalism’s next leaders how to build the future of news, one focused as much on serving publics as making products.
Jeff Jarvis, Newmark School of Journalism at CUNY, author of The Gutenberg Parenthesis
This book is a must read for anyone interested in the digital transformation of news. Like all good news product managers, Damon Kiesow brings together business strategy, design thinking, technology frameworks, and journalism’s mission to create a blueprint for how practitioners can ensure the needs of their audiences are the driving force behind their work.
Julia Beizer, Chief Digital Officer, Bloomberg Media
