The Wall Street Journal
The Brief:
Between 2004 and 2007, I was a Chicago-based reporter for The Journal, covering the global food industry — including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Whole Foods, General Mills, Yum Brands, and other companies. This involved covering macro food business trends — everything from the industry’s response to the “Super Size Me” film, to regulatory affairs, marketing, shifting consumer tastes, agricultural supply chain issues, and leadership crises.
I regularly interviewed industry stakeholders—including CEOs, CMOs, board members, investors, regulators, consumers, farmers, and activists.
I covered breaking news and delivered conceptual scoops–distinctive stories that connect the dots, and set the narratives and agenda for industry stakeholders.
I provided analysis on industry trends on WSJ Radio, CNBC and other media outlets.
In 2005, I conceived a series about a New Orleans family’s attempt to escape poverty after Hurricane Katrina. The series was followed by Good Morning America and local media outlets across the U.S., and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
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A Mother of Six Gets a Chance at a New Life in Minnesota
For some Hurricane Katrina evacuees, the storm presented an improbable silver living: a chance to escape poverty. This story is part one of a series that was nominated by The Wall Street Journal for a Pulitzer Prize.
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A Hurricane KATRINA FAMILY STARTS OVER IN A MINNESOTA TOWN
When a Minnesota family opens its home to eight Hurricane Katrina evacuees, life become complicated. This story is part two of a series that was nominated by The Wall Street Journal for a Pulitzer Prize.
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How Starbucks is speeding up service
The world’s largest coffee chain reduced order service times to three minutes, without compromising order accuracy–even as the menu became more complex.
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Inside Southeast Asia's Soy Sauce War
Here’s why Unilever and Heinz see their Indonesian soy-sauce businesses as an entree into the hearts and minds of Southeast Asia’s emerging middle class.
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Betty Crocker Adds B. Smith to Cornbread Mix. Sales Take Off.
Case study: A young General Mills exec listens to internal feedback and challenges Jiffy, a smaller but dominant company. How will Jiffy respond?
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Q&A With Whole Foods Co-founder John Mackey
John Mackey shares thoughts on the future of organic foods, and why took a $1 annual salary.
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McDonald's Menu Goes Relatively Upscale. Will it Work?
Here’s how the world's largest restaurant chain used salads–with arugula and radicchio–to boost sales.
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Starbucks Conquered Drive-Thrus. Here's How.
Inside Starbucks’ mid-2000s strategy to build coffee shops with drive-thru windows, a food industry innovation pioneered by McDonald’s.