Jonathan Kealing

Perpetual learner. Online editor. Leader. Jayhawk.

Profile

Director, Interactive Properties at Public Radio International
Internet | Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area, US

Summary

In just more than a year at Public Radio International, we've seen big changes. We've gone from talking about making engagement the hallmark of what we do digitally to really practicing that. From our work around cancer in the developing world to our emerging Immigrant Lives initiative, we're meeting the people formerly known as the audience where they are and making them partners in what we're doing. I've recently been promoted to Director, Interactive Properties, which means a greater focus on re-launching and re-organizing our portfolio of digital products — making engagement the centerpiece of what we do.

Previously, I worked on websites, including LJWorld.com, WellCommons and KUsports.com for The World Company. I successfully drove regular month-over-month traffic growth on both sites as well as growth in audience participation and engagement. I was also part of the team at The World Company that worked to turn the company to a web-focused, web-first, niche-based information company.
Specialties: journalism, leadership, writing, reporting, editing, online content management systems, training, education, public speaking

Experience

  • Jan 2013 - Present
    Director, Interactive Properties / Public Radio International
    In my new role, I'll continue my efforts to build audience and engagement around our digital journalism and with our digital audience, but add a strategic focus on relaunching and reorganizing our digital properties to put engagement at the center of what we do.
  • Sept 2011 - Present
    Senior Editor, PRI.org / Public Radio International
    Working with a talented interactive team to help build the digital audience of all of PRI's properties, build audience interaction and audience engagement and work to create a future for journalism that is participatory, interactive and awesome.
  • Jun 2010 - Present
    Assistant Director of Media Strategy / The World Company
    I am leading the transformation of a talented newsroom and team of journalists into a group of digital reporters focused on building and fostering niche news websites. As part of this, I help identify and map out the niches that we should pursue and also work with our software developers and designers to create the tools we need to seamlessly integrate storytelling with social media and community publishing in a way our audience and staff can use. I also work with advertising and marketing staffs to make the new websites into successful digital communities.
  • May 2008 - Present
    Online Editor for Lawrence Journal-World and 6News Lawrence / The World Company
    Part of the management team for the Lawrence Journal-World, 6News Lawrence and LJWorld.com. Responsible for strategic planning of online journalism efforts at www.ljworld.com. Technical assistance for reporters and editors working to do multimedia-rich, online journalism.
  • Dec 2006 - Present
    Reporter / Lawrence Journal-World
    Research, write and produce stories and videos on a variety of topics for our newspaper, TV station as well as our Web site LJWorld.com
  • Jun 2007 - Present
    Reporting intern / The Kansas City Star
    Researched, reported and wrote breaking news stories, investigative and features for a daily newspaper.
  • 2005 - Present
    Editor / University Daily Kansan
    Had a variety of roles including reporter, sports editor, designer, managing editor and a year as editor. Led a technological modernization and a cultural change to embrace the Internet as something more than an archive of previously published print content.
  • May 2006 - Present
    Copy editing intern / Des Moines Register
    Wrote headlines, designed and laid out pages, edited copy for clarity, content and style.
  • Jan 2004 - Present
    Sports reporter / University Daily Kansan
    Covered KU football and basketball for a daily student newspaper. Wrote game stories, features and investigative reports on various KU sports programs.
  • May 2004 - Present
    Reporting intern — Austin / American City Business Journals
    Wrote, researched and reported business-related stories for a weekly business newspaper covering the Austin, Texas, business community.

Education

  • 2003 - 2007
    University of Kansas
    Bachelor's of Science, Bachelor's of Arts in Journalism, Political Science
  • 1999 - 2003
    Parkway Central High School
    Diploma in General College Prep

Additional Information

Honors:
Hearst Award for spot news coverage, Associated Press Managing Editors Award for Convergence, EPpy Award for Digital Excellence

Posts

September 16, 04:58 PM

Fire reported on second floor of Hallmark Cards in Lawrence

September 09, 11:51 AM

LJWorld.com to host round table on the intersection of privacy and social media; Join us

September 08, 01:23 PM

How did you hear about Sept. 11? What do you remember from that day?

September 02, 07:46 PM

Two people injured in car accident on U.S. 24-40 near Lawrence Airport

August 27, 09:03 AM

One person dead in early morning car accident in Riverfront Park in North Lawrence

August 25, 04:47 PM

Injury accidents gnarl traffic on three highways

August 19, 01:35 PM

Air conditioning problems reported at Broken Arrow, New York, South Middle schools

August 19, 10:26 AM

About 100 Douglas County Westar Energy customers still without power

August 19, 01:00 AM

Severe storms leave thousands without power in Douglas County

August 01, 09:40 AM

August begins with another 100+ degree day, excessive heat warning

July 28, 01:00 AM

Excessive heat warning effective through Thursday evening

July 26, 12:16 PM

Fire fighters extinguish small fire at Lonnie's Recycling in North Lawrence

July 22, 08:55 AM

Venting propane tank outside Robinson Gym leads to Hazmat incident at KU

July 18, 10:55 AM

Live blog: Downtown property owners discuss future of Downtown Lawrence

July 17, 12:04 PM

Excessive heat warning continues for third day

July 15, 09:35 AM

'Dangerously hot weather' expected; NWS extends excessive heat warning to Wednesday

July 14, 11:46 AM

Hazmat incident caused by sulfur-like smell; no contaminates found

July 13, 05:08 PM

Police locate child missing in downtown Lawrence

July 11, 10:03 PM

A recap of today's news about the closure of the Lawrence SRS office, as told via social media

July 11, 08:52 AM

NWS extends excessive heat warning to 8 p.m. Tuesday

Posts

February 25, 05:55 PM

Jamie Shew is just an incredible election organizer. He was always a pleasure to work with as a member of the media and its incredible to see the lengths he's going to to make sure people in Lawrence can vote. It's especially striking compared to the decisions made in Topeka and around Kansas City.

Posted by jkealing on February 25 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

February 03, 02:43 PM

Great pictures, as usual, Richard. One of these days, we're going to have to go on a trip together. Cuba?

Posted by jkealing on February 3 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

August 28, 12:59 PM

Way to go George. Love the cop car design. Glad to see the design get some more notice.

Posted by jkealing on August 28 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

July 10, 01:14 PM

I don't know if this is karma for WM and I both posting on LJ today or what, but I just saw on Twitter that the court approved the SLT. Holy cow! The SLT is actually going to get built? Wonders never cease.

http://twitter.com/bradc25/statuses/2...

Posted by jkealing on July 10 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

July 10, 01:12 PM

So, don't go to Hibbing. We have normal-sized bugs down here in Minneapolis.

Posted by jkealing on July 10 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

July 10, 01:08 PM

Minnesota is absolutely lovely this time of year. Mid 80s. Though we did have two 100+ degree days last week.

Posted by jkealing on July 10 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

June 28, 08:51 AM

What terrible news. I'm traveling in China now so I'm only now learning the news. What a sad thing to see when logging into LJWorld for the first time in several days.

Multi was always a huge help to me in knowing the ins and outs of the LJ comments, from long before I arrived on the scene. We've stayed in touch since I left and her comments were always appreciated. My favorite Multi story, though, is the time that she sent me a Free State Brewery gift certificate. I'd had a particularly challenging work week, both with comments and regular-old-work stuff, and had posted something about it to Twitter. Multi saw it and took it on herself to send me $20 to the brewery. The food and beer I had, courtesy of Multi, was oh so sweet.

Multi was one of the good once. God rest her soul.

Posted by jkealing on June 28 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

June 21, 01:35 PM

When I lived in Lawrence, Black Hills Energy failed to bill me for any actual gas usage one winter. But I kept getting a bill with customer charges and fees and whatnot, so I didn't notice at first. Probably should have realized it sooner, but I was a college kid at the time. When I did notice, I let them know and wound up getting a bill for about $300 in back gas bills. Black Hills was "gracious" enough to let me pay that over six months without penalty. That wasn't my fault, but Black Hills expected me to pay if I wanted to continue getting gas from them. I assure you — I did.

Posted by jkealing on June 21 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

January 03, 10:20 PM

Love your photos Richard. One of things I miss most is seeing your daily finds!

Posted by jkealing on January 3 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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