My work blends journalism, its audience and the business side of news. I specialize in crafting experiences that connect readers with great editorial content and help media organizations achieve their business objectives. The ultimate goal? To help build a more sustainable and viable future for journalism.
I started my career as a reporter for newspapers across the country, covering higher education, local government and the largest sexual abuse case in sports history. Working in local news solidified my love for helping others better understand the world around them. It also prepared me well for product work — both require curiosity, empathy and a dedication to audiences.
I currently design for audience growth and the reader experience across Industry Dive's portfolio of 37 business journalism publications. As a product designer, I reach 14M+ news consumers and help them build habits around our editorial products.
Beyond designing for impact, I love traveling, art museums, Michigan summers and late-night reading.
Say hi at madison.f.oconnor@gmail.com and find me on LinkedIn, Twitter and Medium.
I'm Madison, a strategist, journalist & product designer.
Methods
Product strategy · Editorial strategy · Product design · Audience research · Storytelling · UX/UI design · Cross-functional collaboration
I believe in...
🤔 Relentless curiosity
I love learning new things, and curiosity drives learning. I believe curiosity is a skill that can be developed, and once you know how to act on it, learning becomes easy.
💕 Compassion & empathy
We can’t communicate effectively if we can’t empathize with others. Compassion and empathy are tools to help ensure the stories we want to tell are relevant, useful and applicable for audiences.
💪 Empowering others
I strive to empower others through information so they can better navigate the world around them. I’m also passionate about sharing insights and lessons I've learned to empower others. Collaboration > competition.
🌎 Inclusive design
Everyone should have access to reliable information. To do that, products, spaces and services must be inclusive. Accessibility and diversity efforts need to be incorporated every step of the way.
💬 The power of community
Communities have the power to effect amazing change. That’s why I love working with diverse, passionate teams to tackle big problems.