Background - In the Fall of 2001 Cox Communications' cable internet service provider (Excite@Home) was on the verge of bankruptcy. Cox quickly formed Operation Self Reliance, a task force charged with creating an internal ISP (Cox High Speed Internet). Cox Interactive Media's role in this initiative was to build a network of broadband web portals to replace the Excite startpages. I was promoted to the Broadband Content Manager position in October 2001 to lead this effort. The Excite startpages were scheduled to go dark in February of 2002, but this deadline soon shifted to December 2001. My team launched the network on time, and even added several more sites for new Cox markets in early 2002. However, in the third quarter of 2002, Cox announced an internal reorganization of internet operations which effectively halted all further broadband product development for the rest of the year.

• Product Development and Management - In charge of the creation and ongoing development of two product lines: SimplyLocal web portals for smaller cable markets and Broadband Startpages for larger markets. Refined the user interface and improved useability of search results. Served as lead product developer (from researching potential data vendors to developing product specs to managing implementation) for an automated local news system for the broadband sites.

• Product Documentation - Wrote, designed and coded the Broadband area on the corporate intranet, including product documentation, specifications, production schedules, launch checklists and design blueprints.

• Content Programming - Within three months of product launch added several permanent content channels to the network including Multimedia Showcase, Jobs, Money, Television Listings, Pay-per-View Showcase and Home Improvement (advertiser content integration). Planned and oversaw the creation of special content packages covering the Winter Olympics, September 11th Anniversary and NCAA Basketball Tournement.

• Training - Briefly served as Cox Interactive's liason with the My Excite Startpage (MESP) team before Excite@Home shuttered it's content division. Responsible for training my team on Excite's proprietary DynaCAT production system.

• Internal Partnership - Managed Cox Interactive's internal partnership with the Cox Communications marketing department. Worked with the Residential High Speed Data product managers to make sure Cox Interactive's web portals were meeting their customer's needs. Produced a weekly metrics report (SageAnalyst software) to track site growth and usage among Cox Communications customers. Implemented online promotions to support Cox Communication's other product lines and their partner cable channels.

• Internal Awards - Received the GEM ("Going the Extra Mile") Award for outstanding achievement in March 2002. Cox Interactive's President personally selected two or three employees to receive the award each quarter.