All last week we released a series of visuals depicting how media organizations should strategically integrate their networks to build out maximum impact for their content. Each visual illustrates the four “networked layers” that we theorize in our book Beyond The Echo Chamber, including: networked users, self organized networks, institutional networks and networks of institutions. We firmly believe that for media organizations to not only provide high quality journalism, but to stay relevant, they must learn to reorient themselves for a 21st century media ecosystem. These visuals lay the pathway for that evolution.

For each visual, we provide a definition of each network, common characteristics that define the network and strategic questions for media organizations to ponder as they think about how to integrate these networks into their daily and long-term production, distribution, deepening of current audiences, expansion into new audiences and overall impact of their content. We also provided a bonus “cycle of engagement” visual that shows a step-by-step process (media organizations can opt in anywhere on the cycle) that depicts the “how and why” of network interaction (including fundraising and revenue generation opportunities).

Below is a slideshow that brings all these visuals together, showing how each network builds upon the other. We’re excited for media organizations to use these visuals in their short and long-term strategic planning and happy to answer any questions or respond to feedback.

Welcome to our new online home! Why did we change the site’s name from “Build the Echo” to “Beyond the Echo”? When we started our research in 2005, it was all the rage to talk about how progressive media needed “infrastructure”–an echo chamber to mirror and combat the right’s noise machine. Over the past four years of our research, writing and organizing, we’ve come to believe that progressive media’s impact and success depends on moving “beyond the echo chamber” to a collaborative, networked model of reporting and community building.

Speaking of our reporting and research, we are excited to announce that February 9, 2010 is the publication date for our first book book, Beyond The Echo Chamber: Reshaping Politics Through Networked Progressive Media. (You can start ordering it now!) In January we will release a series of new visualizations that illustrate our theory (outlined in the book) of the “four network layers” that media outlets must strategically integrate into their planning to shape and distribute their content for maximum impact. Here’s a hint! These include:

• Networked Users
• Self-Organized Networks
• Institutional Networks
• Networks of Institutions

Aren’t you intrigued already?

In the meantime this site will build upon the book’s theories of strategic impact, feature the latest news and trends related to the future of journalism and track the latest high-impact media projects. Watch this space for news about our book tour, tidbits from the book and more. We invite you to comment, offer suggestions about related stories and projects for us to cover, and join us as we continue to follow the intersection of media, politics and change.