The Gist:
For the past 20 years, I’ve worked in the nexus of our rapidly changing mediascape. I’ve worked in most every news medium there is: from college radio news to newspapers to syndicated and network news to internet/new media. I’ve run operations, reported, edited, investigated, and been an executive producer.
I devoted the past few years to new media and organizational change at NBC News. I founded a new media production studio within the news division at NBC (NBC NextMedia Productions). It creates everything from web extra content for NBC News shows like Dateline to non-fiction web shows for other NBCU outlets to web material for outside entities like Discovery, MSN and others.
My latest area of work: developing a 21st century business culture. I successfully applied this to the larger operations of NBC News, supporting and leading larger organizational change as we move from traditional ways of producing, distributing and telling our stories to ways more in line with a web-dominated mediascape. I’m now offering this vein of support to other organizations and leaders, within a broad range of industries.
A few other significant, recent accomplishments:
- Created NBC’s Digital Journalist workflow and pushed this highly efficient production model out across the News Division. Using this integrated production model, we create broadcast-quality stories for 50 to 75 percent less than the traditional model.
- Executive produced the long-form web video dramas “Harbors” (currently in sales) and “Breuckelen” (pilot sold).
- Launched the Channel One production. We create this daily 12-minute newscast for 6 million high school students under contract with Channel One. Nearly all original content, created with about a dozen people for the lowest price around.
- Developed a branded entertainment/news business with MSNBC.com (a joint venture with Microsoft and NBC News). We matched original show ideas with advertiser audience criteria to create sponsored online video serials and established a new, multi-million-dollar business for MSNBC.com.
- Launched the first large-scale (and commercially successful) use of Video Hyper-Linking (clickable video) as a news and advertising product. Again, we did this working with the MSNBC.com video sales team and established a new, multi-million-dollar business for our joint venture.
- Founding member, the Conscious Leadership Forum: a member-based movement of exceptional leaders supporting the expansion of conscious leadership in the world. We hold a big vision and offer actionable practices to shift business into more engagement, empowerment, and presence.
- I’m a mentor at SparkLabs Technology Accelerator, Seoul, S. Korea, where I help startups find their way in the world through this global tech accelerator. Currently advising Zoyi, a social advertising startup.
- Advisor to AdsNative, a TechStars participant and one of the best-thought-out platforms for scaled creation and distribution of native advertising content on mobile devices.
- I’ve consulted on digital video and communications strategy with companies ranging from Martha Stewart Living OmniMedia, to the international charity Concern Worldwide, Hero Telecoms and Project Isizwe free wi-fi for Africa.
Just the Facts:
Education:
M.S.J. Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Evanston, IL. 1985. Graduated with honors.
B.A. The Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO. 1983. Major: Sociology. Thesis: “Structures of Decision-Making in Colorado Springs Planning Agencies: A Comparative Analysis.”
Honors:
- National News Emmy – four-time winner 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004
- George Polk Award – 1996
- Edward R. Murrow Award – 1999
- National Headliner Award, Television Investigative Reporting, first place, 1996
- Investigative Reporters and Editors, National Television, first place, 1996
- Ski Patrol Volunteer of the Year 2012-13, Otter Ski Patrol, Killington Ski Resort, Killington, VT.
Experience:
NBC Universal 1996-2013
Director of NextMedia, NBCU Advertising Sales New York, NY 2012-June 2013. Supported NBCU sales organization with custom advertising content, including launch of pioneering native advertising system.
Executive Producer for Transformation, NBC News New York, NY 2009-2012. Responsible for integrating new technologies, workflows and story-telling styles into all aspects of NBC News operations. Realized +$10 million in savings.
Executive Producer NBC NextMedia Productions New York, NY 2005-2012. Founded internal digital production studio for original editorial video, digital programming, branded content, narrative advertising. Realized $20 million in 2012 sales.
Weekend Broadcast Producer, Dateline NBC New York, NY 2002-2005. Responsible for final production, network breaking news coverage and show broadcast.
National Producer/Producer, Dateline NBC New York, NY/Washington, DC 1996-2002. Producer of everything from investigative to breaking news stories. Principal primetime network breaking news producer.
SuperMind Apps LLC 2013-Present
Director of Audience Development, Los Angeles, CA. Responsible for audience development, marketing and social engagement for this creator of personal development apps.
NextMedia Studios LLC 2012-Present
Co-Founder and Managing Director, New York, NY. Established this digital production studio to create branded video and long-form dramatic content for the web.
Inside Edition 1993-1996
Producer/Associate Producer, Inside Edition New York, NY. Producer of investigative stories.
Vermont Times 1990-1993
Founding Editor, Vermont Times Burlington, VT. Helped create and edited this weekly start-up newspaper.
Rutland Herald 1989-1990
Assistant Sunday Editor, Rutland Herald Rutland, VT. Responsible for business, sports, editorial and general news sections.
Addison Independent 1986-1989
Editor, Addison Independent Middlebury, VT. Editor of community newspaper. Significantly re-vamped editorial content, switched from photo-lithography to industry-leading Mac-based production system. Established second edition.
Pittsburgh Business Times 1985-1986
Staff Reporter, Pittsburgh Business Times, Pittsburgh, PA. Covered manufacturing, labor and advertising for this weekly business publication.