The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Invests in Transformation to Become Modern Media Company

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), founded in 1898, has announced a substantial investment to evolve from a traditional daily newspaper into a modern media company. The goal is to garner 500,000 subscribers the end of 2026. AJC’s president and publisher, Andrew Morse, expressed the mission to become the primary and captivating news source for Atlanta, Georgia, and the South, a region that significantly influences local and national conversations across various domains.

As part of the transformation, Cox Enterprises, the owner of AJC, will invest heavily in expanding the newspaper’s reach throughout metro Atlanta and key communities in Georgia, including Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah. The plan involves hiring around 100 new positions across different departments within the next few years.

To achieve their ambitions, the AJC intends to invest in key news beats, video and audio storytelling capabilities, and new products tailored to distinct segments of potential subscribers. There will also be a focus on strengthening product development, engineering, analytics, and marketing teams to ensure the AJC meets the demands of modern news consumers.

The paper has already made significant personnel changes in the past year, including the appointment of Andrew Morse as president and publisher. Morse, a digital and television media executive with a background at CNN, Bloomberg, and ABC News, has been joined Leroy Chapman Jr., the AJC’s first Black top editor, who was promoted to editor-in-chief. Other additions to the senior leadership team include Sharmi Gandhi as CFO and Erin Malone as COO.

In addition to the leadership changes, the AJC has started introducing new video and audio programming. Monica Pearson, a renowned Atlanta broadcaster, will host a weekly video program and podcast called The Monica Pearson Show. The AJC also boasts an expanding podcast slate, featuring shows like Breakdown, Politically Georgia, The Braves Report, The Hawks Report, and Southern Fried Soccer. This move marks the AJC’s first venture into weekly video programming.

The transformation of the AJC reflects a commitment to serving the community covering the stories that impact people’s lives, from politics and sports to business and arts. The newspaper sees journalism as a means of not only informing the public and holding the powerful accountable but also as an act of service.

With its rich history, the AJC remains dedicated to being the most essential and engaging source of information for the Atlanta area. Its digital products and platforms attract approximately 6 million monthly unique visitors, and the print and digital subscriber base continues to grow. The AJC is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., based in Atlanta.

Sources:
– The Atlanta Journal-Constitution