What is project C?
Project C is a home for journalists navigating the independent creator economy. Through a newsletter, courses, research and a soon-to-launch private members-only community, Project C provides insight, resources and guidance for journalists building sustainable, audience-driven businesses in a rapidly changing media landscape.
How It Started
The idea for Project C began while I was at Vox, where I saw firsthand how the news industry was evolving – sometimes too slowly – to meet changing audience behaviors. As more people turned to independent journalists on YouTube, TikTok, Substack and other platforms for news, it became clear that the journalism industry wasn’t fully embracing this shift. That realization followed me into my time as a Sulzberger Fellow at Columbia Journalism School, where I focused on the challenges and opportunities of independent journalism in the creator economy.
Journalists are increasingly going solo – whether by choice or necessity – yet the industry still lacks dedicated resources to help them build sustainable businesses, maintain high editorial standards, and connect with engaged audiences. Project C was born to help fill that gap.
Why It Matters
The traditional media industry is contracting, but journalism itself isn’t shrinking—it's evolving. More people than ever trust individual journalists over institutions, and independent media is proving its ability to thrive. Project C exists to support journalists in this shift, ensuring they have the business acumen, editorial rigor and audience-building strategies to succeed.
our work
The newsletter
At the heart of Project C is our newsletter, where we explore the future of journalism through the lens of independent creators. We cover industry trends, research insights, interviews with leading creator-journalists, business strategies, and evolving standards for credibility and ethics.
Courses & TraininG
Through workshops like Going Solo, we provide practical training for journalists transitioning into the creator space—covering everything from content strategy to monetization and audience growth.
Research & Insights
We distill key research on news consumption habits, independent media business models, and digital trust dynamics — helping creators stay informed on what’s shaping the industry.
Community & Thought Leadership
Project C is more than just a resource — it’s a network. Our soon-to-launch members-only Slack community connects creator-journalists with peers and experts navigating the same challenges. We also engage in broader industry conversations through speaking engagements and collaborations with other organizations, like Trusting News.
Driving the conversation
Project C in the news and at conferences:
News Organizations Are Starting to Embrace Creator-Model Journalists | CJR
The new ‘army’ of journalists: Creators and influencers impact our industry | E&P
Noosphere and repackaging news for the TikTok generation | MediaCat
Liz recently moderated a panel about creator journalism at Knight Media Forum. | WATCH
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Why Project C? What’s with the CMYK logo?
Project C started as a true project—an experiment during my Sulzberger Fellowship, where we learned the design principle of aiming for Point C, the next stage, instead of trying to leap straight to Point Z. It’s about iteration, growth, and taking the next step forward. The name also stands for Creator, reflecting our mission to support journalists navigating the creator economy. And maybe it’s even bigger than that—because we all have multiple projects, evolving over time. The CMYK logo is a nod to my newspaper roots, where CMYK registration marks ensured precision in printing by aligning the presses. That same continuity and tradition now finds a new path with independent creators, who are shaping the future of journalism in their own ways.
Contact us
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