Sari Jackson was recently named to the new position of community events and partnerships manager. In doing so, Ideastream Public Media has clearly indicated its intention to increase its focus on local partnerships and audiences through direct community engagement. It’s different from the lifeline that Ideastream provided during the pandemic.
“We heard from our members and listeners that they really missed engaging with us in person,” says Jackson, who assumed her new role in May. “There is a big push for us to get out there and demonstrate our connections with the community.
“We have many long-standing programs and hosts who have a strong connection with the community,” adds Jackson. “Since our recent merger with WKSU, we are also establishing that connection in the Akron/Kent area as well.”
Key elements of Ideastream’s new community engagement strategy include organization of community events and the further establishment of partnerships with local organizations. It includes the creation of shared experiences with local communities that raise awareness while building relationships and fostering trust.
In recent months, Ideastream has greatly expanded its community engagement events and programming, especially in arts and music, through partnerships with the Tri-C JazzFest, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the launch this past spring of the only full-time jazz channel serving Northeast Ohio: JazzNEO.
The 45th Annual JazzFest at Playhouse Square in June featured the legendary Charles Lloyd, Cuban pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa, Cecile McLorin Salvant and Ledisi. Don’t despair if you missed it; the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra has rolled out its “Pops” series in addition to its season series at the Maltz Performing Arts Center. The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra is kicking off its season on Saturday, Sept. 21, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of when Frank Sinatra opened the Richfield Coliseum.
“In addition to our partnerships, we also have a really exciting summer planned, including a partnership with PorchROKR,” says Jackson. You can see us at PorchROKR in August.
PorchROKR, which takes place in the Highland Square Neighborhood in Akron on Saturday, Aug. 17, is a one-of-a-kind outdoor music experience that showcases some of the best musical talent from Northeast Ohio, performing on neighborhood porches.
As for news and information, Ideastream’s current flagship program, the Sound of Ideas, highlights local issues through its Sound of Ideas Community Tour. Recent topics include the Northeast Ohio jazz scene, the solar eclipse and more importantly how wealth and power have shaped our communities in Northeast Ohio Ideastream also has a long-standing partnership with the City Club of Cleveland and airs weekly City Club Forums Fridays on WVIZ.
“Our Community Tour events allow us to engage with local communities and solicit feedback,” says Jackson. “This is part of our commitment to engaged journalism.”
Jackson has been with Ideastream for two years, serving previously as communications manager in the Individual Giving department. A native of Solon, she has been in the nonprofit sector in Northeast Ohio since 2018. She received her master’s in public affairs at Indiana University, and prior to joining Ideastream she served as corporate relations manager at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
“Prior to COVID, Ideastream was actively engaged with community partners and events, and through the request of our members and audience we felt it was important to return to those types of activities,” she says.
Digital and social media engagement will be important to marketing the new strategy, says Jackson, who has had ample experience in developing communications for social media platforms.
“As part of our commitment to cultivate new audiences, we are always trying to expand our reach to different people in different ways. We also want to collaborate with our partners across all platforms to create a greater presence and better serve the people of Northeast Ohio. Our strategy also includes listening to more audience feedback and creating more volunteer opportunities.”
