What does a typical day look like for you? There are no typical days! One day, I could be writing ad copy for a marketing campaign; the next day, I could be interviewing a source for an editorial piece; another day, I could be working on a sell sheet to help recruit new members to our association. A common thread is content creation, strategy and working with words.

Do you have any brainstorming rituals? I seem to do my best thinking when I’m not in “work mode.” In the shower, while commuting, during a walk, on vacation, etc. So rather than rituals, it seems that the less I try to come up with an idea, the more that creative ideas flow.

When did you know this career was what you wanted to do? In terms of writing/storytelling, it stems from excelling at writing since about third grade. I always loved writing short stories — though I recall my third-grade teacher telling me to write less! That led to an obsession with newspapers starting at 15, then a very high score on the Writing SAT II Test solidified that I might have a skill worth pursuing.

Do you have any hobbies that shape your work today? Sports. Not only playing/coaching/refereeing/covering them, but also attending sporting events as a fan. Sports were my first love, and the lessons learned as a participant in them — but also working in them as a sports industry professional in my previous life — have informed how I approach work today.

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you first started your career? Remove yourself from workplace gossip and spreading of rumors. It can really dampen a strong culture.

How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends? I subscribe to several great email distros, I read a lot about the industry, I attend conferences and I prioritize professional development.

What new territory of digital creativity are you interested in getting into? In a sea of sameness, what interests me is stuff that is different. Having worked at Red Bull, they do that better than most other brands out there. I’m interested in trying new formats, telling stories in weird ways, and iterating as the process evolves. That’s a significant part of the Red Bull ethos.

What aspects of a project make it “built to win”? Has it been stress-tested internally before release? Have you forgotten that you’re not the target demo? Have you given everyone a voice at the table who would add value to the project? If it isn’t a success, are you comfortable with learning from your failures? Answers to these important questions will help you determine if it’s “built to win.”

What aspects of a project leave a lasting impression? If the piece does any (ideally all) of these three things, you’ve made an impact: 1) Makes someone’s life easier/better; 2) Causes someone to share or tell someone else about what they saw; 3) Makes a person emote — elicits an emotion of some sort.

Tips for entrants on how to build an award-winning entry? Provide as much data as you can — but not just data points; actual audience insights are helpful to see how it resonated. (Numbers don’t lie, but people do!) And remove yourself/your team from the equation when you write the entry; remember that you are not the target demo and the project wasn’t created for you. Show how it landed with the primary audience.

What’s the first thing you look at when you view an entry? Not necessarily the first thing I look at, but the first thing I think is: “Have I already seen something similar to this elsewhere?” If it’s unique, you’ve caught my attention immediately.

How has your definition of “great digital work” changed in the last few years? No longer does the platform matter most. For me, it’s all about story, story, story. All the platforms do similar things. What matters most is high-quality storytelling that works regardless of channel and irrespective of format.

Are you building projects that stand out? There are only three days left to put your best work in front of Khalil and other expert Jurors by the Extended Deadline this Friday, July 24th. Don’t miss your chance to be honored this season, this is your last chance to enter.