SMH Weekly Digest: Issue #002 – Multi-Platform Skills and Starting Strong in 2026
Inside the Industry
The Rise of the Multi-Platform Sports Media Professional
The modern sports media professional is no longer defined by a single platform or job title. Across journalism, communications, production, management, and content creation, the industry is moving toward a more fluid, multi-platform way of working; one where writing, video, social storytelling, and live coverage increasingly overlap.
For anyone building a career today, this shift is less about doing everything and more about understanding how different formats connect. Editors want reporters who can think visually. Communications teams look for professionals who understand audience behaviour. Creators are blending editorial instinct with production skills in ways that didn’t exist even 10 years ago.
What’s becoming clear is that adaptability, not just talent. is becoming one of the most valuable traits in sports media. The ability to recognise where your core strengths sit, while understanding how your work fits into a wider content ecosystem, is quickly becoming the difference between simply participating in the industry and building long-term relevance within it.
Read all about The Rise of the Multi-Platform Sports Media Professional
Career Insight
Why Storytelling Will ALWAYS Remain King in Sports Media
With AI tools, new platforms, and constant technological change, it’s easy to assume that storytelling might become secondary in sports media. In reality, the opposite is true.
Technology changes how stories are delivered, but strong storytelling remains the foundation that holds everything together, whether you’re writing match reports, producing video content, or managing communications for major events.
For anyone starting out, focusing on narrative clarity, perspective, and audience connection will always outlast any trend or tool.
That’s why this week’s Career Insight looks at why storytelling continues to sit at the heart of the industry, even as formats evolve.
From My Week
Three events in January ensure busy start to 2026
After the Christmas break, it’s been straight back into the rhythm of planning and preparation. The start of the year always brings a shift from reflection into execution, and the coming weeks are shaping up to be busy with several major projects on the horizon.
Two upcoming visits to the incredible landscapes of AlUla are already in the works, centred around high-profile equestrian events, either side of a trip to Jeddah for the exciting E1 Series.
While the public often sees the final event moments, the reality is that much of the work happens long before anyone arrives on site.
The lead-up period is all about coordination and strategy; aligning with clients and media partners, shaping editorial and storytelling agendas, and developing the background materials that help events run smoothly.
Media guides, messaging frameworks, broadcaster notes, and editorial planning all sit quietly behind the scenes, ensuring that when the spotlight turns on, everyone understands the narrative.
And of course, the calendar never revolves around a single event. Alongside the big projects are ongoing client responsibilities, conversations, and planning cycles that keep the broader sports media ecosystem moving forward.
This Week’s Recommendations
America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys | Netflix
How Far Can Running Take You After a Decade of Addiction? | Peter Flax | Runner’s World
I’m Watching The Knicks’ Playoff Run From Prison | Darrell Powell | Prison Journalism Project
The vanishing of Oscar Pistorius | Simon Hughes | The Athletic
Get Started in Sports Media
If you’re serious about building a career in sports media, clarity and structure make a huge difference.
The Sports Media Career Playbook has been designed to help you understand where to focus, how to position yourself, and how to navigate the industry with purpose, whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to evolve.
Explore the Sports Media Playbook here.
Use the code NEWSLETTER20 to save $20!
Closing Note
The start of a new year is often filled with ambition, but real progress in sports media tends to come from consistent small steps rather than dramatic leaps.
Stay curious, keep learning, and remember that understanding how the industry works behind the scenes will always give you an edge.
Until next time,
Jon
