You may have heard that the Chicago Star is making the transition to go primarily digital. Initially when I was informed of this decision, my thoughts could best be described as the sound a completely deflated basketball makes when hitting the ground (think thud).
I took in the news of the coming change with all the excitement of having a tooth pulled sans Novocain. Not easy for an old guy like me to adapt, mind you. I’m still the dinosaur who likes to read an actual paper in the morning with my hot cup of coffee, while simultaneously realizing those days are numbered. But when the shock wore off and the initial pain subsided, I realized like all things in life, change is inevitable.
Change can be good, change can be progress, change can be improvement. You roll with the times and you make adjustments on the fly if that is what it takes. So, like a boxer knocked to the mat, stumbling from the power of the initial punch and with the referee slowly counting to ten for what might be my knockout, I pulled myself up, grabbed hold of the ropes and said “OK, if that is the way it’s going to be, then bring it on!” Digital programming here we come.
I am jumping headfirst into our new digital footprint. I’m ready to learn about influencer marketing, user generated content, clickbait, engagement rates, geotargeting, click-through rates, crowdsourcing, chatboxes and even ephemeral content (the last one, as long as my wife doesn’t find out).
It may all seem like a foreign language to me, but if I learned a new language some fifty years ago back in high school, no reason I can’t do it again, right? Best of all is what it will mean for our news source and for our imprint here in Chicago. The Chicago Star has already made great strides in this city, and the digital emphasis will only further that momentum by reaching so many more readers.
We will still bring you all the news of our city—from special events to theater, the arts, sports, charitable organizations, and of course, all the pictures and stories that have hopefully informed and entertained you in the past.
And, yes, this old contributing columnist will still be here, part of the new brand, excited to move forward with whatever odd takes, strange thoughts or occasionally inspiring stories I can bring to you.
That, you can count on.
Jon Cohn is a New Eastside resident. Email ideas for Jon to info@chicagostarmedia.com
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