Desiree Rogers new CEO of Johnson Publishing – What does this mean for the Chicago social media scene?

The hiring of Desiree Rogers, former White House Social Secretary is the lastest buzz in Chicago’s publishing news. Johnson Publishing announced on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 the appointment of their new CEO. One initiative stated to bring the historic powerhouse publisher back to the forefront is to push toward a better web presence. Since the well established cosmetics and magazine publisher, has fallen victim to the decline in the print industry like most print publishers, JP is looking to rebound and leverage its way back to the top by using online social media.

JP could bring so much to the table in terms of technology in Chicago with its name and brand alone. With its product and the tremendous amount of talent moving through Chicago, the publisher is sure to expand its brand and reach not only to the African American community but multiple ethnicities.

Rogers is no stranger to the social media scene. Rogers has been associated with such companies as the Illinois State Lottery, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. Most notable to her current position is her appointment to Allstate Insurance Corporation back in 2008 to head up a new Social Networking initiative for the company. Hopefully, Rogers will scout talent in the Chicagoland area to put her online social media plan for JP into action. With so many avenues to travel who knows where they will start. Will there be a social network along with a site redesign for JP, Ebony and Jet? Will there be an app available for the iPhone? Will readers be able to subscribe and get their magazine on an eReader? Only time will tell so we’ll keep watching.

Check out an interview on CNN with newly appointed CEO Desiree Rogers