Most recently, McMahon was editor-in-chief at Chicago Tribune and chief
content officer for Tribune Publishing. He also coaches and consults with media
companies across the world on digital transformation and audience development.
McMahon brings more than a decade of digital media innovation to the
StartupNation role, atop an award-winning career as a local, national and
international journalist.
“We are so thrilled and
honored to have Colin joining StartupNation Media,” said Jeff Sloan, founder
and chief executive officer. “I know we will make an incredibly dynamic team,
and I am confident that Colin will help StartupNation deliver on our huge potential.”
McMahon said the strength of the StartupNation brand and the growing
customer need for credible content around entrepreneurship drew him to the
opportunity.
“More people than ever are branching out on their own, starting side
hustles, even trying to be intrapreneurs within their current companies,”
McMahon said. “As a journalist, I love the energy and dynamism that dominates
this space. As an executive, I see vast potential to serve our audience and our
clients alike with content and services that help them reach their goals.”
As chief operating officer, McMahon will oversee the day-to-day operations
of StartupNation, directly supervising the editorial and product teams while
working closely with sales and marketing.
“Colin’s expertise--not just in content but also in partnerships and
revenue--will be a huge asset as StartupNation develops new and better ways for
brands to connect with our audiences,” said Gary Cohn, StartupNation publisher.
“And with his experience in all aspects of media M&A, StartupNation will be
well-positioned to chart its future.”
Tom Kuczmarski, the cofounder of the Chicago Innovation Awards and an
innovation and leadership expert, heralded the move as a great fit for both
McMahon and StartupNation.
“During the past two decades, I have known Colin McMahon and have always
been impressed with his journalism expertise, digital and tech startup
knowledge, and his values-based leadership skills. He will bring a new vision
for the future to StartupNation Media Group that will be grounded in innovation
and creativity.”
About Colin McMahon
Colin McMahon is a respected international journalist, innovative news
executive and media consultant focusing on digital transformation.
As editor-in-chief of the Chicago Tribune, McMahon led the newspaper through
the COVID-19 pandemic and one of its most turbulent eras. Amid social unrest,
political upheaval and the story of a lifetime, McMahon kept the newsroom
focused on its journalistic mission and producing award-winning work, including
an investigative series that won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting.
As chief content officer of Tribune Publishing, McMahon led efforts across
Tribune’s 10 markets to reimagine and restructure newsrooms for the digital
age. Whether as editor or executive, McMahon focused on content strategy,
audience analytics and culture change. He coordinated all the company’s
editorial partnerships, represented TribPub across the industry and shared
responsibility for partnerships with major platforms such as Google, Meta,
Microsoft and Apple.
McMahon also oversaw all editorial operations at Tribune Content Agency,
including Tribune Publishing's shared content teams, Tribune News Service, the
Daily Meal and the Active Times. And he played key roles in Tribune’s vetting,
acquisition and consolidation of media properties.
In mid-career, after more than 20 years as a local journalist and foreign
correspondent, McMahon turned his attention to new product development, digital
transformation and culture change in the face of the financial crisis of 2008.
While a senior editor at the Chicago Tribune, McMahon launched new initiatives
such as a shared content system known as Media on Demand; the digital business
vertical Blue Sky Innovation, e-book and print book publishing and Printers Row
Journal. He also partnered closely with Arc Publishing from the Washington Post
to foster digital innovation and build audience at Tribune Publishing through
adoption and expansion of the Arc tools suite.
As a reporter and correspondent, McMahon was highly regarded for being able
to solve problems, explain complex issues and deliver under duress. Across
postings in Baghdad, Buenos Aires, Moscow and Mexico City, McMahon covered
armed conflicts, geopolitical crises and daily life in more than 40 countries.
As a Metro reporter, he covered crime, national politics, social issues and the
northwest suburbs. Before that, McMahon held reporting and editing jobs in
Ohio. He is a native of Cleveland and a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University.
About StartupNation Media Group
StartupNation provides
entrepreneurs with the insights and tools they need for business growth and
personal development. Essays that inform and inspire. How-to content from
subject matter experts who know life in the trenches. Excerpts from
best-selling books by acclaimed business professionals and thought leaders.
StartupNation captures an
engaged audience of passionate entrepreneurs and small business owners. And
through its diverse media channels and sophisticated storytelling tools,
StartupNation provides the ideal platform for brands to reach entrepreneurs
with their messaging, products and services.
StartupNation Media Group was
founded by entrepreneur Jeff Sloan and is based in Birmingham, Michigan, 20
miles north of downtown Detroit.
Contact: Kristin Kujawa at kristin@startupnation.com
Source: StartupNation Media Group
Related Links: startupnation.com, Colin
McMahon
