Projects

This section highlights a selection of my top projects, showcasing some of the most impactful and representative work I’ve completed. While these are not all the projects I’ve worked on, they offer a glimpse into the range and depth of my experience.

Mobile & CTV Streaming Platforms

Problem

TheGrio needed to enhance its OTT digital presence across mobile and CTV platforms to remain competitive, offering users seamless access to web content and on-demand streaming for free. For the mobile app, the specific challenge was to balance user experience with a business goal of driving all traffic back to the website, ensuring the app complemented rather than replaced web engagement.

Solution

I led the design and launch of a comprehensive suite of apps, including mobile app for iOS and Android, as well as CTV apps on popular streaming platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. For mobile, the app was optimized to provide access to all web functions while strategically directing traffic back to thegrio.com. The CTV apps, launched iteratively between November 2021 and January 2022, provided users with on-demand video and podcast streaming, including integration with several FAST channels featuring over 180 licensed channels.

Result

The apps successfully launched across mobile and CTV platforms by early 2022, delivering a seamless user experience and meeting business objectives. While the apps were sunset in September 2023 as part of cost-cutting measures, TheGrio’s OTT streaming channel was retained. The mobile app effectively supported website traffic, aligning with the company’s overall digital strategy.

Next Generation Virtual Terminal

Problem

In 2013, the payments industry was disrupted by Square, which offered small businesses an affordable and accessible payment solution leveraging their mobile device. WorldPay primarily focused on large to mid-sized business in offering traditional point-of-sale terminals, which were expensive and impractical for many small businesses. This left a significant portion of the market untapped, and WorldPay risked losing out on the growing small business vertical.

Solution

I led the launch of WorldPay’s first virtual terminal platform, allowing small businesses to process payments online or via mobile devices. This platform provided an affordable and flexible alternative to traditional terminals, making it easier for small businesses to operate. Additionally, we simplified the onboarding process by introducing a one-page application for merchants, streamlining what had previously been a tedious process.

Result

The virtual terminal platform launched successfully in 2013, enabling WorldPay to remain competitive and better serve the small business market. This solution not only reduced barriers to entry for merchants but also provided a user-friendly, mobile-compatible option that aligned with industry trends. Since then, WorldPay has continued to evolve and expand its mobile payment offerings, building on the foundation of this project.

Technology Solutions Evaluation and Selection for Filmstruck and OTT platforms

Problem

WarnerMedia needed to evaluate and select key technology solutions to support the launch of new digital products, including the SVOD service Filmstruck. The challenge was to identify the right payment processor and customer service provider to handle payments and support services for the platform. Additionally, the OTT platforms required both a biometric solution for enhanced security and a recommendation engine to improve user engagement.

Solution

I conducted thorough product evaluations to identify and recommend the best solutions for each need. For Filmstruck, I successfully identified both a payment processor to handle subscription transactions and a customer service provider to manage customer support. For OTT platforms, I identified a suitable biometric solution to enhance security measures and a recommendation engine to optimize content discovery for users.

Result

The other solutions I recommended were adopted, contributing to the successful launch of Filmstruck and supporting WarnerMedia’s broader OTT initiatives. The selected payment processor and customer service provider ensured seamless payment processing and customer support for Filmstruck, while the biometric solution and recommendation engine would be considered a further enhancement down the road.

TheGrio’s HomePage & Article Page Redesign

Problem

TheGrio’s article pages and homepage had not been updated in over 10 years, making them outdated for the modern mobile user experience. With 86% of users coming directly to article pages and 10% to the homepage, both areas were not optimized for the 75% of users accessing the site via mobile devices. This resulted in missed opportunities for engagement, particularly with videos and ads. Video monetization, a key revenue stream, was hindered as videos often went unnoticed while users scrolled. Additionally, the user experience lacked modern social sharing features and effective content promotion.

Solution

Led a comprehensive redesign of both TheGrio’s article pages and homepage, implementing a mobile-first strategy to enhance user experience and maximize video ad revenue. Addressed the outdated design by introducing modern features that kept videos visible and playing while users scrolled, ensuring that video ads remained prominent. Improved the overall user experience by adding mobile-optimized social sharing tools and surfacing related content for greater engagement. Collaborated closely with the design and development teams to ensure the redesign met the demands of today’s mobile-first audience.

Result

The redesign resulted in a 20% increase in user engagement, including time spent on page across both the article pages and homepage. Video ad impressions increased significantly boosting video ad revenue. The improved, modernized design also enhanced the user experience, leading to greater interaction with featured content and driving higher retention rates for both mobile and desktop users.