Executive Producer Profile: Jeff Garrard

Equipment:

• Compaq Deskpro 5100 Pentium - 16MB RAM
• Power Book 5300 CE- 40 MB RAM
• One TV tuned to CNN

Five most commonly used applications: Netscape Navigator, CC:Mail, Microsoft Word, Now Up-to-Date, CNN network-wide news gathering system Basys

Overall role: "Try to make sure that the site as a whole delivers a good experience for people - the right mix of good news, good presentation and good elements."

Daily duties:

• Reads in to find out what's going on in the world, at the network and on the site.
• Combs the site to make sure everything is in order.
• Checks the competition.
• Answers the most important of his 50-60 e-mail messages. Saves the rest for later in the day.
• Communicates with ad sales department.
• Coordinates the editorial group with the technical group to make sure both are on the same page.
• Gives guidance for public feedback.
• Attends meetings with editorial staff, technical staff, CNN network departments, special projects and business partners.
• Offers suggestions on stories and overall coverage.
• Interviews prospective employees.

Personal stats:

• 31 years old
• Bachelor's degree in Radio, Television, Film from the University of Texas-Austin
• Jeff has worked at CNN for nine years. He started as a video journalist at CNN, moved through the ranks as a tape logger and into the Technology unit as a production assistant. He spent six years in Tech, during which time he became a producer. In March 1995, he moved to the newly formed CNN Interactive department to produce CD-ROMs. Three months later, he joined the on-line group to begin work on a web site for CNN Interactive. The site launched August 30, 1995.
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