MANSFIELD — Richland Source is proud to announce Brittany Schock has been promoted from staff reporter to Engagement & Solutions Editor.
The hyper-local online news agency made the announcement Tuesday. In addition, Night Editor Carl Hunnell will take on an expanded role in the company.
“Our company has worked together on reader engagement and Solutions Journalism projects for several years,” Publisher Jay Allred said. “The result has been an inclusive, open, and collaborative relationship with our audience and newsroom partners.
“This work deserved a leader who can bring people and initiatives together under a strategic umbrella that deepens our connection to readers and creates a better Mansfield in the process.”
Schock’s charge will be to unify newsroom audience engagement work, membership recruitment, and Solutions Journalism reporting within a cohesive strategic framework. She’ll work collaboratively across departments to develop and execute initiatives that are aligned with the strategy.
“I’m most excited to grow our relationship with our readers,” said Schock, a Dayton native. “I’m really looking forward to working closely with the community in creative ways to create the kind of unique content and experiences Richland Source is known for.
“I’m thrilled to move into this new position at Richland Source. I already have so many ideas and I can’t wait to get started.”
Schock has been with Richland Source since January 2014. She has earned national attention with her Solutions Journalism work on infant mortality in Richland County.
That series, titled Healing Hope, was selected the top Solutions Journalism story in the country in 2016 by the Solutions Journalism Network, and led to a baby shower in 2017 that drew 500 people to the company’s Idea Works building.
Schock has been invited to speak in Chicago, Nashville and New York to share the experience of that project and more Solutions Journalism work and audience engagement at Richland Source. She is also part of the membership team within the Facebook Membership Accelerator program.
“I’ve learned so much from my colleagues in the industry the past few years about the importance of working with our community to produce the best journalism possible,” Schock said. “It has completely changed my thinking about how to use journalism to make the world a better place.
“I’m grateful to work at a place that recognizes the importance of engagement, and I’m honored to play a part in recommitting ourselves to serving our community.”
In her new capacity as the Engagement & Solutions Editor, Schock understands the value in putting the audience first, and seeing how impact-driven journalism can make a difference. She believes in listening to communities and fostering lasting relationships with the newsroom. She sees the big picture and cares deeply about the user experience online mirroring the genuine experience in person.
Schock’s position is focused on cultivating and growing audiences, while pitching in from a leadership perspective on Solutions Journalism and Hearken stories. She will be a leading voice in collaboration both inside and outside the organization and use the social media platforms to maximize the resonance of Richland Source’s journalism.
She will be able to answer questions about the company’s work while using data and analytics to enhance the execution of newsroom initiatives.
“The lessons we’ve learned through the Facebook Membership Accelerator program are going to help me tremendously in this new position,” she said. “Improving and growing our own membership program at Richland Source is going to be one of my top priorities.”
Schock will begin her new role at Richland Source on Monday, Feb. 4.
