Find your potential in 2026

We in the news media industry need to look for potential. It’s difficult to do if we’re just trying to get through the next deadline, but look around. There are many in our field who are trying new things, experimenting with new products and welcoming the unknown.”

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

It’s 2026. Whether you rang out 2025 in joy or trepidation, the new year is here and waiting for you. The start of a new year is a great time to review the past — what worked and what didn’t — and plan for the future.

I love this quote by American Journalist and Columnist Ellen Goodman: “We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives … not looking for flaws but for potential.”

We in the news media industry need to look for potential. It’s difficult to do if we’re just trying to get through the next deadline, but look around. There are many in our field who are trying new things, experimenting with new products and welcoming the unknown.

In one of our features this month, “News publishers embrace creator partnerships,” Gretchen Peck explores the possibilities when news professionals open their minds and doors to collaborations with local content creators. At a time when newsrooms are struggling to cover their communities — and sometimes just keep the lights on — new ideas and the followers your local creators/influencers bring to the party can be a boon for your business.

This doesn’t mean that you turn your entire newsroom over to local content creators, but collaborating in key areas may make sense. Is there a local food blogger/influencer who could bring their followers to your restaurant event? Would a local sports coach be a welcome addition to your sports content and programming, boosting your readership/listenership?

Matt Miller, chief revenue officer at Trib Total Media, discussed using local influencers to add value to their “Best of the Best” contest. “For the gold winner, we brought in an influencer and weaved them into the story. It was a way we could create more value around the content, and because there are so many other best-of contests, it was a way that we could differentiate ours,” Miller said. The potential is there.

So, welcome 2026 with all its challenges and possibilities. Whether it’s a creator/influencer collaboration, artificial intelligence, a new sales or membership program or another item that’s on your “this makes me really nervous” list, take a breath, do your due diligence, make a plan and take the first step toward potential.

We at E&P wish you a successful, peaceful and happy 2026. We love hearing from you. Your ideas, feedback and stories keep us going, and your support means everything. Whatever this year brings, we’re all in it together, so we must band together, share our trials and successes, and help each other. Our readers/listeners, advertisers/marketing partners and employees/staff deserve our best.

Robin Blinder is E&P's editor-in-chief. She has been with E&P for six years. She’s looking forward to a wonderful 2026 and can be reached at robin@editorandpublisher.com.