Work Samples

Online Content Packages

We called these "convergence" journalism packages because they aimed to combine the assets the two media represented by Internet Broadcasting Systems. The company operates web sites for television stations. These pieces were conceived to complement the stations' on-air coverage of events, either scheduled in advance or assembled under breaking-news deadlines. Thus, the TV stations' ability to draw an audience converges with the Web sites' capacity to provide depth of content that is not feasible to provide on-air.

Nurse Shortage

Content: With several of IBS' markets seeing labor shortages or contract problems involving nurses, we assembled information that could provide valuable background information and context in all of our markets. My role: I supervised a content researcher and graphic artist, and I input the HTML coding that assembled the package. Click to view the package.

'Pearl Harbor' Movie

Content: As Hollywood hyped its would-be blockbuster, we appealed to viewers' interest with a sample of the movie, its production, and historical background. My role: I led the brainstorming process, delegated the research and design work, assisted in the research, and supervised a graphic designer who made the Flash animation. I performed the HTML coding to assemble the package. Click to view the package

U.S.-China Tensions

Content: While China detained 24 members of a downed U.S. spy plane in April 2001, we wanted to present information on each crew member and the incident that led to their detention. After China released the crew, we wanted to explain the remaining sources of conflict between the two countries. My role: I conceptualized the package; researched, wrote and updated the content; did the HTML coding to format the piece; and directed a graphic artist in making background GIFs and Flash animation. Click to view the package

Understanding The Middle East

Content: Anticipating that our TV stations would report on Secretary of State Colin Powell's February 2001 tour of the Middle East, we wanted to help viewers understand the complex diplomatic issues posed by the region. I conceived of a map that viewers could click for a summary of the United State's diplomatic interests with regard to each country. My role: I conceptualized this piece, did most of the content research, supervised a graphic artist and assistant content researcher, and did the HTML coding to format the piece. Click to view the map

Tracking The Texas Seven

Content: When seven prisoners escaped from Texas and were spotted in Colorado, we wanted to explain their route visually. This piece includes a Flash animation timeline showing their progress as well as biographies of each of the fugitives. This piece was first published when the fugitives were still at large and was updated as some and then all were caught or killed. My role: Concept, did content research, supervised two other writers, supervised Flash artist, coded the piece. Click to view.

Groundhog Day

Content: Fun activities and information about Groundhog Day. My role: I conceptualized the piece, supervised a content researcher and two graphic artists, did supplemental content research, and coded the piece. Click to view.

Crash Tests

Content: The federal government tested a number of automobiles on how likely they were to roll over in a collision. We organized the data so that viewers could look up ratings for specific makes and types of cars. My role: I designed and coded this piece. Click to view.

Sex on TV

Content: Researchers tallied the number of sexually related scenes in television programs. This piece highlights key findings. My role: I proposed the general format, obtained the content and supervised three Flash programmers who designed and coded the piece. Click to view.

Abortion Under Bush

Content: On the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, this package examined how abortion laws might change under new President George W. Bush. My role: I proposed the piece, gathered the content except data for the maps, directed an HTML coder in making the maps, and coded the piece. Click to view.

AOL/Time Warner Merger

Content: In order to give viewers a sense of the magnitude of the merger between America Online and Time Warner, this piece depicts each corporation's holdings by type. My role: I came up with the concept, did the content research, and supervised a Flash artist in making the graphic. Click to view.

Online Features Editing

Designing feature sections

At Internet Broadcasting Systems* in the latter part of 1999 and early 2000, I designed the content for and launched three online feature sections -- Technology, Money and Health. This was part of the company's first attempt at "national" sections: While the company's Web site staffs previously produced their own content or reproduced individual articles from each other, the sections would appear in essentially the same form on all the sites.

Philosophy: I designed the Technology, Health and Money sections with the same approach: They should be fresh and accessible. The top of the main page holds links for breaking news updated throughout the day; the lower part of the page provides links to rotating features. Fun and provocative features are promoted in the top right corner. I edit the content in service of the average person who is busy and has no time for jargon.
Source of the content: For breaking news, we take articles from the Associated Press and our TV station partners and enhance them with hyperlinks and graphics (Sample). Periodically, the news staffs and I write articles entirely from original reporting (Sample).
For the features, I located and contracted with freelance columnists, supplemented with work by select staff writers and outside media companies.

Editing feature articles

I conceived of and edited the following columns:
Technology:
  • Web Site of the Week -- Reviews an unusual Internet site. Click for example.
  • The Help! Menu -- Diagnoses readers' computer problems in plain English. Click for example. Tech Tomorrow -- Explains trends in consumer technology. Click for example.
  • Daily Download -- Locates and links to amusing or useful software available for free on the 'Net. Click for example.
  • Who's Online -- Previews online chats with celebrities elsewhere on the Internet. Click for example.
  • Consumer News and Computer Games -- Reviews high-tech products and games. Click for example.
  • The Tech Views page: On The WWW and Digital Culture -- Comments on how average people use the Internet and how technology is changing society. Click for example.
    • Money
  • The Cranky Consumer -- Advises consumers on how to avoid ripoffs. Click for example.
  • Secrets of the Economy -- Translates the mumbo-jumbo that is often unexplained in business news reports. Click for example.
  • Investing for Beginners -- Giving lessons in the stock market. Click for example.
    • Health
  • Daily Health Tip: Busy People, Kids, Women, Men, and Seniors -- Briefly and authoritatively relates news of interest to specific groups of people. Click for example.
  • Stress Busters -- Gives advice on stress relief. Click for example.
  • Diet and Fitness -- Probes fad diets and gives exercise advice. Click for example.
  • HMO Headaches -- Offers solutions for problems faced in obtaining affordable health insurance coverage. Click for example.

    • Online writing

    Homepage of Channel2000.com during recount court battleI went on location during the 2000 presidential campaign to anchor online content packages including my original writing.
    Political Humor Columns
    2000 Republican Convention
  • July 31, 2000: McCain Loses His Cool
  • August 2, 2000: Exclusive Four-Word Interview With Bush Sr.!
  • August 4, 2000: In The End, GOP Won Message War
    2000 Democratic Convention
  • August 13, 2000: You Asked, We Answer: Gay Rights, Prayer, OJ
  • August 14, 2000: Politics, Religion Mix For Readers
  • August 17, 2000: Convention Loser: The Media?
    Florida Ballot Recount
  • November 10, 2000: The Never-Ending Election
  • November 11, 2000: Creative Suggestions For Settling The Non-Election
  • December 11, 2000: Humor: Why Stop At The Supreme Court?

    • Political Reporting
  • August 1, 2000: Elder Bush Arrives; Protests Heat Up
  • November 7-8, 2000: ELECTION STUNNER: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
  • November 10, 2000: RECOUNT SHRINKS BUSH LEAD TO 327, BUT GORE CAMP PLANS BALLOT CHALLENGES

    • Click to view samples of my newspaper articles on politics.
    Original News Reporting
  • December 22, 1999: Elf Virus Hoax Spawns Another Scare
  • December 31, 1999: Where Does Y2K Begin?

    •

    Click to view more work samples: Newspaper | Magazine