How to Tell a Better Story - Michael Margolis

In Chapter 8 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, storyteller and entrepreneur Michael Margolis shares how to tell a better story by focusing on three fundamental story elements. First, it is key to understand the protagonist, the hero, who is sympathetic and relatable. Second, tension is critical. For example, what is the friction or what is the character up against? Third, it is critical to have a clear inciting incident that grabs people's attention and engages an audience. This allows the story to take off. Margolis is the founder and president of Get Storied (http://www.getstoried.com), an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative. As a consultant, educator and writer he uses storytelling to create more effective branding, innovation and culture change. Margolis earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University.

Why to Think in Narrative - Michael Margolis

In Chapter 7 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, storyteller and entrepreneur Michael Margolis shares what it means to think in narrative. He notes recent brain research that has identified a gene unique to humans that allows us to tell stories from person to person and generation to generation. Arts, business, and education are all rooted in storytelling. Margolis notes anthropology research that over 70% of what we learn is via story. Narrative thinking provides the storytelling vocabulary wich allows us to make sense and meaning of the world around us. Margolis is the founder and president of Get Storied (http://www.getstoried.com), an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative. As a consultant, educator and writer he uses storytelling to create more effective branding, innovation and culture change. Margolis earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University.

How Family Art Projects Influence Non-Traditional Career - Michael Margolis

In Chapter 5 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, storyteller and entrepreneur Michael Margolis shares how doing childhood art projects with his parents affected his career choices. The experiences provide Margolis the freedom to pursue unpopular and non-traditional careers. While his parents do not always understand Margolis' ways, they respect his energy and give him the support that helps him develop professionally. Margolis is the founder and president of Get Storied (http://www.getstoried.com), an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative. As a consultant, educator and writer he uses storytelling to create more effective branding, innovation and culture change. Margolis earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University.

How to Turn Passion for Storytelling into a Career - Michael Margolis

In Chapter 2 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, storyteller and entrepreneur Michael Margolis shares how he recognized his passion for storyteling and turned it into a career. After early career social entrepreneur experience and overcoming illness, Margolis creates a career helping companies, clients, and students tell stories people can believe in. Margolis is the founder and president of Get Storied (http://www.getstoried.com), an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative. As a consultant, educator and writer he uses storytelling to create more effective branding, innovation and culture change. Margolis earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University.

How to Choose a Storytelling Medium Right For You - Cathy Erway

In Chapter 2 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, author and food writer Cathy Erway shares her approach to selecting the best medium to tell a story. She sticks to her passion, which happens to be writing, and advises other writers to also stick with their passions. Erway experiments with different mediums, including radio and video, but finds her passion, writing, prevails in how she communicates and shares. Erway is the author of "The Art of Eating In: How I learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove." She writes two blogs, "Not Eating Out in New York" (http://www.noteatingoutinny.com ) and "Lunch at Six Point" (http://www.lunchatsixpoint.com ). Erway earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

How to Make TV Content Mobile and Social Media Friendly - Mark Graham

In Chapter 19 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares how he is finding his digital media experience useful working at the VH1 television network. As content consumption. Learning how television works helps Graham find better ways to improve user experience and content consumption across various platforms, including web, mobile, and social media. Graham is an editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber Made Music Videos Popular Again - Mark Graham

In Chapter 18 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares how Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga helped the music video entertainment medium regain popularity after a several year downturn. Over that period, consumer appetite for music grew and Bieber and Gaga embraced the opportunity, creating and releasing short, visually engaging music videos across online video platforms including YouTube. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How to Tell Better Entertainment News Stories - Mark Graham

In Chapter 17 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares his process for determining the appropriate storytelling medium for online entertainment news and events. When attacking a story, Graham first focuses on the story essence - what is the story, where is it going, where it originates. He then thinks about the readership preferences and the available media options - video, pictures, long-form writing, short-form blogs - he can use. For example, Graham notes how red carpet events are very visual so video and pictures take precedence over writing. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Red Carpet Celebrity Interviews Make Career More Meaningful - Mark Graham

In Chapter 16 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares what he enjoys most about working red carpet events. Shortly after joining VH1, Graham gets his first red carpet experience at the Critics Choice Music Awards helping on-air correspondents cover the event. During the event Graham gets firsthand experience with nearly 25 celebrity interviews. Graham compares this personal connection with his experience interviewing celebrities on the phone over the course of his media career. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How TV Network and Print Magazine Digital Content Roles Differ - Mark Graham

In Chapter 15 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham contrasts working in digital content at a television network with one in print magazine publishing. Graham notes how television industry resourses - producers, editors, camerapeople - allow for original content creation for online platforms. Additionally, Graham finds it easier to generate original TV, web, and mobile content given the increased access to talent. Combined, these options provide Graham resources he and his team uses to create more compelling online content experiences. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Social Media Transparency Increases Fan and Follower Loyalty - Mark Graham

In Chapter 6 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how transparent writing and blogging styles are becoming more prevalent in big media, including at Viacom where he works. Corporate media and publishing companies are realizing the value of engaging audiences as individuals. Readers and fans are progressively demanding personalized interaction on Twitter exchanges, Facebook posts, and blog comments. By showcasing the people behind the corporate responses, Graham finds companies develop closer bonds with audiences and build more loyal customer bases. He provides examples from his experiences connecting to the Twilight fan community via the VH1 show "The Fab Life." Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How to Be Resourceful Using a Can-Do Attitude at Work - Mark Graham

In Chapter 4 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Michigan-born pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how he developed a "can-do" attitude growing up in Detroit. Graham embraces this open-minded and positive approach to volunteer time and opportunity when he sees a way he can help. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Volunteering for Projects Helps Entertainment Career Develop - Mark Graham

In Chapter 3 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how volunteering for work projects throughout his career has broadened his skills and created opportunities for advancement. Graham leaves a publishing job at New York Magazine for a job at Viacom and MTV Networks working at VH1. By volunteering on new projects he takes initiative to learn and also expose his talents to others in the company. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How VH1 Pop Culture Editor Gets Start in Web TV - Mark Graham

In Chapter 2 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how his online writing and editorial roles are now overlapping with web series development at VH1. Graham previously worked at VH1 on digital initiatives that did not include television. After returning to VH1 after time at New York Magazine, Graham focuses on Internet and television blended content, including network show extras as well as original online programming. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Job Change to VH1 Helps Editor Align Ambition With Opportunity - Mark Graham

In Chapter 1 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how he decided to leave an online editorial and writing position at New York Magazine for a senior editor role at VH1. Graham identifies opportunities to work with and support a broader writing team. Moreover, as a pop culture and media lover, Graham joins VH1 to be part of an integrated media experience that more fully embraces the intersection of web and TV. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Senior Leader Builds Consensus Between Board Members and Staff - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 12 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares what he is learning about building multi-party consensus in his Art Director's Club president role. Jaeger learns to understand individual needs within both the board membership as well as with the staff. Offering social media adoption as an example, Jaeger starts with sharing an idea, then positions the idea at the board level to receive support, and finally disseminates the idea across the organization via program planning and rollout. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

How to Define and Measure Success When Creating Art and Media - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 10 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares ways he defines success in what he does as a creative professional and designer. First, Jaeger looks at something tangible, specifically project completion. Second, he looks for a positive reaction, preferably from a non-biased source, i.e. not a friend or colleague. He finds friends' critical feedback a complementary motivational tool that pushes him to work harder. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

How Can Creative Professionals Be Better Managers - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 5 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares the conflict inherent developing management skills in a creative profession. It comes down to using effective communication to create a sharing and collaboration focused culture. Jaeger has found creative training approaches, especially the individual responsibility around making something, are often independent from team learning and experiences. This training encourages creatives to take full responsibility and to not let go of it for an entire project. This mindset contrasts with a business or management environment where collaboration and sharing is key. This is exemplified in advertising agency environments that have arts, account management, and media buying and strategy groups. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.