The evolution of audience engagement at Mississippi Today

by | Dec 29, 2022

I first served as web manager for Mississippi Today before the site launched in 2016, a role I maintained until joining the team full-time as web editor August 2017. 

I spearheaded the 2019 rebranding and website redesign at Mississippi Today, an initiative that, in part, led to almost 150% readership growth that year. In my previous role as web and engagement editor, my team and I created a suite of niche newsletter products that provide curated content on topics ranging from education to arts and culture.

My focus on audience development and reader experience is a cornerstone in Mississippi Today’s growth strategy. I saw the need to bring together the editorial and marketing teams at Mississippi Today, resulting in the formation of a cross-departmental engagement team that worked to create reader resources through audience-first initiatives. I then formed a dedicated audience team and created objectives and responsibilities that fully align to the funnel with a focus on reaching new audiences, engaging deeply with readers and converting readers into paying members.

I also worked closely with all staff to foster an audience engagement mindset across the organization by designing and creating reader resources, projects, events and distribution strategies.