The application period for the 2024 Media Innovation and Leadership Academy has closed, but we will continue reviewing applications for future cohorts on a rolling basis. Apply here.
The local news ecosystem in the United States is fracturing and reordering in unprecedented ways. In the Chicago area – perhaps the richest and most vibrant local news ecosystem anywhere in the country – we are experiencing, and even driving, these changes firsthand.
The Northwestern | Medill Media Innovation & Leadership Academy equips current and future Chicago-area local news leaders with the knowledge and problem-solving frameworks required to master these dynamics, and thus transform their organizations to thrive in 2024 and beyond.
The Media Innovation & Leadership Academy is part of the Medill Local News Accelerator. We work toward a more inclusive and economically robust local news ecosystem that maximizes all Chicago-area residents’ access to the information they need to actively participate in the democratic process.
Northwestern faculty and staff will provide frameworks proven to help new leaders transform their organizations. Our system blends concepts from the Lean Startup, Continuous Discovery Habits, Measure What Matters, Human Centered Design, agile development, the Wisdom of Teams and more.
Class members will work through timely case studies to tackle contemporary problems. Collaborating on teams with the other class members, you will develop groundbreaking solutions you can take back and implement in your own organizations. You will emerge from the week with a deeper understanding of research and insights, content strategy, business strategy and new product development processes that will enable you to deliver results in any scenario. You will also develop a network of connections throughout Chicago that will prove invaluable to your organizations and careers.
This year's class comprises decision-makers from a wide range of organizations, from startups to longestablished brands that offer original, Chicago-focused journalism on many platform, using many business models. Class members range from those currently in executive leadership roles to rising professionals poised to make big career leaps in editorial, marketing, sales and other functions.
The 2024 academy began with an immersive week on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus from Jan. 22-26. The class will convene for half-days each quarter throughout the year, on topics class members request and at fascinating locations around the Chicago area. The program is cost-free to all participants and organizations, through a generous investment by the McCormick Foundation.