Hi, I’m Blair Hickman.
I help media companies, nonprofits and people grow loyal audiences, drive revenue and navigate strategic change.
I’ve shaped content strategies that reached hundreds of millions of people, pioneered community journalism programs that won funding and awards, and built Vox’s consumer revenue program from the ground up.
Lately, I’ve:
Helped a world-renowned festival transform their content strategy to be audience-first
Coached a large YouTube channel through launching a newsletter that is just as delightful as their videos
Co-led a full workshop at the Online News Association Conference to help journalists make the leap from traditional employment to a sustainable life as an independent creator.
Feel free to get in touch blair@idamedia.co
Focus areas
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I design data-driven strategies to help you reach the right people, build content and products that they love and move them to action.
Everything I do starts with the audience. I'll start by ensuring that you have the research and data that you need to understand them well.
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I craft bespoke programs, digital fundraising strategies and campaigns that lean into what makes you unique and aligns with your audience values.
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You have to know where you're going, in order to prioritize and make decisions today. I facilitate workshops, do data deep dives and market research, and craft long-term plans to help organizations get clarity on their north star, align on goals and make sure all operations support that direction.
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Few things are harder than leading teams through the constant change of the digital world. You don't have to do it alone. I help leaders and managers transform their workplace culture, motivate their teams and lead through turbulent times.
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Consulting
If you have a specific project or problem, with a defined scope of work, this is your best option. If you need a strategic audit, assessment or help designing a specific program, this is for you. These projects usually last three to six months.
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Fractional executive
With this option, I embed in your team part-time for a minimum of six months. This is a great option if you need senior-level help righting the ship, or don't quite yet have the budget or workload to justify a full time senior-level hire, but need the help.
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Strategic advisory
Want to pick my brain? Need occasional help moving the right direction? This is your best bet. These calls are a mix of coaching and strategic advice. I'll ask you to send me information before we meet, so that I can prepare.
About
I spent 15 years building audiences, teams and strategic plans in fast-growing newsrooms like Vox and ProPublica.
Most recently, I was the Executive Director of Strategy at Vox, where I oversaw consumer revenue, brand narrative and product strategy. Before that, I oversaw off-platform content, audience development for text, audio and video and led a strategic pivot or two.
I’ve spoken on much of the above at places like F8, news:rewired, and the IRE conference, and taught workshops and classes on writing, reporting and audience engagement at Columbia, NYU, USC and the City University of New York.
After a decade-plus on the east coast, I split my time between Salt Lake City and San Juan Island.
This business is named after my great aunt. That’s her in the old photo. She was an intellectual trailblazer, endlessly curious and bold. I always try to infuse a little of her in my work.
