Change brings opportunity

Time — and our industry — moves on, whether we’re ready for it or not. We can’t reverse time or stop its passage. We can only face the changes and figure out what they mean for our futures. How we react to all of this will determine our outcome.”

Robin Blinder, editor-in-chief, Editor & Publisher

Three and a half years ago, I wrote my first editorial for this magazine, and the title of the editorial was — wait for it — “Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.” David Bowie’s 1972 single, “Changes,” is now widely seen as a statement on Bowie’s own constant reinvention and an anthem for self-identity, growth and adaptation. A little-known fact is that Bowie himself played the closing saxophone riff on the recording. Although the song wasn’t originally a hit, it has become one of his most celebrated — performed throughout his career and rumored to have been one of the last songs he played live before retiring from touring in 2006.

Although I love the piano-driven tune, the lyrics of “Changes” captivated me and, years later, still speak to me. “Turn and face the strange” was noted by biographer David Buckley as “not a valedictory farewell, but a prophetic hello.” Our cover story, “The rise of creator and influencer journalism,” echoes that prophetic hello. It’s here, real and becoming more important in our industry than many want to admit.

There have been more changes — both business and personal — than I can enumerate since I penned my “Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes” editorial. In fact, the last two months have brought a firestorm of changes to our country, our industry and our lives. The changes those “creators and influencers” brought to the 2024 election — and even before — are carrying over into journalism with gusto. And that’s only one of a myriad of changes facing our industry.

We can try to fight it like we have the internet, social media, the changes in advertising and the generational and political shifts in our country, or we can open ourselves to the possibilities these new influencers bring. Changes are stressful but can also be character-building and transformative — possibly transforming the relationships with our audiences and helping us engage younger readers or listeners.

My husband would tell you I’m the last person to pull what I call a “Pollyanna.” However, Bowie said it best: “Time may change me, but I can’t trace time.” Time — and our industry — moves on, whether we’re ready for it or not. We can’t reverse time or stop its passage. We can only face the changes and figure out what they mean for our futures. How we react to all of this will determine our outcome. I may not like everything that I see happening, but focusing on the past won’t solve our current situation. Changes bring stress, but they can also bring opportunity. Let’s embrace the possibilities.

Robin Blinder is E&P’s editor-in-chief. She has been with E&P for five years. The only change she won't embrace is changing her hair color. She can be reached at robin@editorandpublisher.com.