Working With
Claymaker Media

What Lee does differently is to combine decisive editorial judgement with access, clear thinking and speed. This ability is born out of a deep knowledge of how newsrooms operate and what editors need, and then how to publish and amplify that storytelling across social, broadcast and digital media in both the UK and U.S. He understands how reporters think, too, because he has been in their shoes and knows what it takes to get a story across the line.

His biggest strength is probably trust. I welcomed him in at The Athletic because I knew he would respect our culture, and understand the standards we expect and the drive we have to keep pushing the boundaries with our journalism. But I also knew I would get an honest appraisal of what can be improved and a thoughtful partner in terms of why and how to improve it, which is exactly what Lee has delivered. He is a good listener, and then he acts upon what he hears.

I'm not sure what some of the younger members of my team thought when he first arrived at an off-site carrying a box of puppets, but the experience he created really connected — and the results have spoken for themselves. He has also been invaluable in the quieter moments — a friendly ear for a reporter here; a prod about a story there — and his input has been much appreciated.

Lee's biggest assets are authenticity, judgement and experience but, perhaps above all, it is his passion for his work — and crucially, the people he is working with — that sets him apart. This time working with Lee has only reinforced that view, and those who had never worked with him before would say the same. It has been a genuinely valuable experience.