Dan Ackerman

About Dan Ackerman

I\'m an editorial leader, journalist, broadcaster, and author with extensive experience in content strategy, storytelling, newsroom management, and media/commerce partnership strategy.My latest venture is building out a robust consumer tech news and advice platform for iconic tech retailer Micro Center as the brand\'s inaugural Editor-in-Chief. There I\'ve assembled an internal content team and a roster of expert editorial freelancers, while also providing biz dev and consulting around media and commerce partnerships. Previously, I served as the Editor-in-Chief of Gizmodo, where I led a newsroom of expert reporters covering technology, science, and online culture. Prior to that, I was a longtime Editorial Director at CNET (formerly the tech news division of CBS), focusing on content strategy and the site\'s successful commerce-driven editorial initiatives. Across all these roles, my focus has been on making complex topics accessible and exploring technology\'s human impact.As a broadcaster and industry expert, I\'m a television, radio and podcast regular and was the longtime in-house technology expert on CBS Mornings. My New York Times-reviewed non-fiction book, The Tetris Effect (Hachette/PublicAffairs), covers a tangled web of business deals in the Cold War Soviet Union and has been featured in Fortune, WIRED, Entertainment Weekly, the LA Review of Books and many other publications.I also occasionally talk about the media industry, AI, tech and more in my newsletter, available at danackerman.substack.com.

Experience

1. Editor in Chief

   Micro Center

   Nov 2023 — Present

   I\'ve stepped into the role of inaugural Editor-in-Chief at iconic tech and computer retailer Micro Center, and founding editor of its new publication, Micro Center News. Drawing on my experiences as Editorial Director at CNET and Editor-in-Chief at Gizmodo, I spearhead the editorial vision and content strategy for Micro Center, focusing on journalism-inspired storytelling, insightful product reviews, practical shopping tips, and the latest industry news. Focus areas include the practical application of AI tools for business, PC hardware news and reviews, and how-to advice for professionals and content creators. I also drive partnership strategy with content and publishing partners, act as a media liaison for the company, and recruit and manage a wide stable of expert content contributors.>Shape and drive the editorial direction of Micro Center News, ensuring all content across platforms (website, newsletters, videos) adheres to the highest standards and resonates with our tech-savvy audience.>Develop and implement comprehensive content strategies for both written and video content.>Utilize data analytics tools such as Google Analytics and Chartbeat to monitor performance and refine strategies to meet market and reader needs.>Lead a diverse team of editors, writers, and freelancers, providing mentorship, guidance, and performance feedback.>Cultivate relationships with industry leaders, influencers, and other media outlets to enhance Micro Center\'s visibility and credibility.>Appear as a TV/radio/podcast talking head on consumer tech topics.>Work closely with marketing and social media teams to expand our audience and maintain high engagement levels.>Partner with product and development teams to create new site functionalities for readers.>Advise the CEO and executive team on content strategy, media partnerships, AI developments, SEO, and more.

Education

• Fordham University

  MA, Media Study/Public Communication

  1996 — 1997

• University at Buffalo

  BA, Media Studies

  1991 — 1995

Skills

• Journalism
• Digital Strategy
• Storytelling
• Press Releases
• Digital Media
• Web Content
• Television
• Content Development
• Podcasting
• Editorial
• Magazines
• Media Relations
• New Media
• Video Production
• Web Video
• Radio
• Content Strategy
• Editing
• Online Publishing
• Online Advertising
• Publicity
• Online Journalism
• Social Networking
• Video Games
• Headline Writing
• Social Media