San Francisco Chronicle Develops Digital-Minded Incubator Program

The media industry’s shift to digital has been swift and persistent -- even more so in techy-savvy cities like San Francisco. Though digital adoption has been, at times, complicated for outlets with roots in print, the forward-thinking San Francisco Chronicle is making a powerful commitment to its digital future with the introduction of its new incubator project.

Inspired by the city itself, the incubator aims to transition the paper to a “digital first and fastest” mentality, with a stronger focus on improved workflows, team accountability and new digital ways of storytelling. The six-week program will take place at an off-site space in the city and foster a new culture among the staff. Eventually, the entire newsroom staff will move through the incubator program. The mission: To produce excellent journalism in the ways that Chronicle readers want to consume it. “In this city, we are surrounded by companies whose innovative practices are changing the game,” said San Francisco Chronicle Managing Editor Audrey Cooper. “We need to learn from what is driving the Bay Area economy and adopt those business practices.”