💡ideas for the next generation of journalism
👋 Hi. I'm Liz Kelly Nelson, a seasoned journalist and media professional with a deep interest in the evolving landscape of journalism, particularly the rise of creator-model journalism. In 2024, I founded Project C, a newsletter that explores and champions the work of independent journalists who are breaking away from traditional newsrooms to create their own direct-to-audience platforms. I advocate for recognizing creator-model journalism as a legitimate and impactful part of the news ecosystem – emphasizing the importance of building trust with audiences, maintaining ethical standards, and finding sustainable business models for independent journalists.
Project C also offers consultancy services to media companies, news organizations and individuals, helping them understand the creator economy and adapt to this transformative shift.
what I'm up to right now:
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Writing the Project C newsletter charting the evolution of creator-model journalism.
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Working with an amazing coalition of smarties who want to build the future of independent news and information.
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Collaborating with Trusting News to develop a shared set of standards for creator journalists.
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In 2024, I completed work re: the viability of a journalism creator-centric collective as a fellow in the Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program at Columbia University's School of Journalism.
where I've been:
Most recently, I was VP of vox.com where I worked with a team of journalism's most-talented editors, videographers, podcasters and audience strategists – all in service of a mission to create equity through access to information and build sustainable, diversified revenue streams. I'm so damn proud to have been a part of taking Vox's flagship daily news podcast, Today, Explained, to 100+ public radio stations and launching Unexplainable – the coolest, weirdest science podcast out there. Over the years, I've been lucky to work with amazing people at USA Today, The Desert Sun, Zap2It, The Washington Post and AOL News. I created and grew Celebritology, an early aughts blog/column devoted to unpacking celeb and TV culture, into a top destination on washingtonpost.com. (Ask me about "Lost," Lindsay Lohan or Michael Jackson). I've lived many fulfilling media lives as a content developer, managing editor, blogger and Chatwoman (if you know, you know).
