This is probably the first time you've seen me here on trucktrend.com. But if you've visited any of the other Source Interlink Media truck enthusiast sites, you might recognize my by-line. I'm the Senior Web Producer for the Truck Group, which (officially) includes such titles as Truckin', Diesel Power, Four Wheeler, 4Wheel Drive & Sport Utility, Off-Road and many others. I have two other able staffers that are an integral part of the group's success.
Yet as outwardly successful as my group has been, I've yearned to get back to my true passion, which is writing and original content production. Much of my job is simply content management. Basically, taking articles out of the magazine and converting them to digital format for the website. Nothing wrong with that. But for someone with a journalism degree and a master's in communication, simply re-formatting someone else's work is sometimes somewhat less than fulfilling.
So I approached Motor Trend's Senior Online Editor Mike Floyd about what, if any opportunities he might be aware of on the "other" side that might allow for more creative expression. Strangely enough, he jumped right in without hesitation, and suggested I contact Mark Williams at Truck Trend. Since the magazine is a bi-monthly, the site had need for more web-exclusive original content. Seemed like a win-win right off the bat.
But like many other things in a large publishing conglomerate corporation, things have moved, shall we say...deliberately. But the opportunity did come up for me to accompany the Truck Trend staff on the 2009 Truck of the Year test. Even though there are only four eligible entries this year (two examples of each), and enough staff to allow for roughly four people per vehicle, the powers-that-be thought it would be worth it for me to tag along anyway.
I really have no idea what I'm going to do on this trip other than being comic relief, and possibly the Starbucks gopher. Either way, I consider it a great honor to be invited along on the 2009 Truck of the Year test. Hope to keep you updated on this new journey with many blogs in the week and weeks ahead!