For months now, I have been excitedly following the developing news of Allbritton’s local news site. As the parent company of Politico, many online types have hopes this as-yet-unnamed project can revitalize online news – and maybe give the Washington Post a run for their money.
I’m proud to say that as of today, I’m going to be a part of this exciting and altogether new approach to news. I recently accepted a job to be the site’s social media producer, working with the likes of Jim Brady, Steve Buttry and the site’s rapidly-growing community engagement staff.
So long Camp Washington Chili, hello Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Did I mention I was excited? I also meant terrified.
I’ve had a great ride in my three years at Cincinnati.Com. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really great journalists and brilliant innovators. I lead a comfortable existence here, with my husband working right across the office and lots of friends living close by.
I’m terrified/excited to throw away all I know for a whole new life in a new city and a company with a new way of doing business. I think I’m running out of chances to take chances – and this one just seemed like the best fit possible.
I’m thrilled for the opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in the journalism industry – and hopefully do a little bit of teaching myself.
We’ll be out to redefine what it really means to connect with a news audience – and there’s no way we’ll be doing this alone. I encourage my readers and friends in Cincinnati to offer their ideas and advice (and maybe a pint or two?) as I prepare move ahead to the new job. If any of you are from the DC area, please introduce yourselves via social media or in the comments below. I’m sure I’ll need all the tips and ideas you can give me.
It is only with the cooperation and input from local readers that this new project will be able to thrive. I hope you’ll all be along for the ride.
BarbaraKB
Congrats, Mandy! Cincinnati will miss you… especially those of us who believe in journalism in social media sphere.
Jason M.
Hey, congrats! Show 'em a thing or ten.
Steve Buttry
Welcome aboard, Mandy! Lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl is on me when you hit town.
danieljohnsonjr
Congratulations, Mandy! You're going to do great!
5chw4r7z
Congratulations!
Cincinnati's loss is DC's gain, knock em dead and keep up the good work.
jeffsonderman
Great news! Looking forward to working with and meeting you Mandy.
Shannan
Congrats Mandy. I have loved working with you and talking social media with you over the past few years. They are certainly smart to have snatched you up! Best to you and Ben.
BrentBillock
That sounds like a very exciting opportunity. I'm happy for you and admire your courage.
greglinch
Congrats, Mandy! And an early welcome to the DC area!
Laura D. Morarity
Congrats on the new gig Mandy! Very exciting. I loved my years in DC, and am always excited to hear when someone else will be heading that great city. And, Ben's Chili Bowl rocks! 🙂
Jennifer McClure
Congratulations Mandy! We've never met in person, but I've really enjoyed the personal spin you put on the Enquirer twitter account and other social media aspects of Cincinnati.com. This sounds like a great opportunity for you!
Chris Graves
Thanks for teaching us much. I will miss you tremendously. But you already knew that. Chris
Paul Henrich
Congratulations Mandy. What an opportunity to be able to shape the future of local news.
Benet Wilson
Mandy- it's Benet from @NABJDigital. Congrats on the new job! You're coming to my neck of the woods, and welcome! My friend Erika works at Politico, and she's great. Maybe once you settle down, we can have lunch. And if you have ANY questions, about DC, please don't hesitate to ask. I've been here forever and absolutely love it!!
T. Stewart
Congratulations! I'm so proud of you, MJ! I've learned so much just by sitting behind you and picking your brain for the past couple of years. I'm really going to miss you and Ben, but I will see y'all in D.C.!
Mandy Jenkins
Thank you, everyone, for all your kind words. I'm really excited and scared to death – but it's great to know you all have my back. I hope you'll stick with the blog and with me as all this goes on – we're just getting to the good part, you'll see.
Linda Parker
Hot darn, girl – you go. I’m so pleased for you!
Linda Parker
Hot darn, girl – you go. I'm so pleased for you!