Well, that’s it. I’m no longer professionally obsessed with the ebb and flow of daily news coverage.

For the first time in ten years, I do not work in corporate communications. Instead, I am now the Director of Research, Education and Outreach.

What does that mean? A startling change in work environment, for one.

There has always been one certainty in my life: that a call from a reporter would upend my day and reshuffle my work priorities.

That tends to encourage short-term thinking and discourage extended periods of reflection.

It has also fed my short attention span.

As the title would suggest, the Director of Research is responsible for managing long term research agendas.

I’m not unfamiliar with this world: I toyed with becoming an academic before this crazy communications work came along.

These people, though, have always been my clients.

(By people, I mean economists, statisticians, computer scientists, accountants … You know, skilled and trained professionals)

Now it’s time to raise my nose and look beyond the daily, weekly or monthly news cycle. Develop plans that have real strategic outcomes, instead of tactical milestones.

And, apparently, I’m no longer a talking head. Now, I’m a technical expert.

That means more public speaking.

“…and now,let’s all welcome Colin McKay, the Director of …”

At least I’ll still have a sizeable public education agenda to keep my marketing chops busy.