SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 14
Download to read offline
What would you do? Gary Cohn [email_address] Following the breadcrumb trail…
While completing another story on the insurance industry, you get an intriguing tip: AARP, the respected seniors organization, is making millions in hidden fees from big insurance companies in return for endorsing health, life and car insurance products. The Tip
AARP has a small army of PR specialists, but they don’t like probing questions. And your editor wants the story ASAP! Getting started
[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],IDEAS
The Form 990s tell you that AARP makes more than half a billion dollars a year in revenue from “royalties.” Progress – and your next steps?
[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],IDEAS
AARP acknowledges receiving fees, but says its all in best interest of members. You need to determine if this is true. The next steps
Your next moves? Big piece of art
[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],IDEAS
You now know that AARP charges its members stealth fees for insurance. You need real people to have impact. The human element
[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],IDEAS
Your human interviewees have told you intriguing stories. How do you verify their accounts? Corroborating the stories
[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],IDEAS
Final tips and questions Gary Cohn [email_address]

More Related Content

Viewers also liked (9)

Sources - Reynolds Week 2011
Sources - Reynolds Week 2011Sources - Reynolds Week 2011
Sources - Reynolds Week 2011
 
Resources and keeping students interested - Reynolds Week 2011
Resources and keeping students interested - Reynolds Week 2011Resources and keeping students interested - Reynolds Week 2011
Resources and keeping students interested - Reynolds Week 2011
 
Gross Domestic Product - Overberg
Gross Domestic Product - OverbergGross Domestic Product - Overberg
Gross Domestic Product - Overberg
 
Investigating Nonprofits
Investigating NonprofitsInvestigating Nonprofits
Investigating Nonprofits
 
Investigative Business Journalism
Investigative Business JournalismInvestigative Business Journalism
Investigative Business Journalism
 
Gary Cohn, Shipbreakers - Covering the Green Economy
Gary Cohn, Shipbreakers - Covering the Green EconomyGary Cohn, Shipbreakers - Covering the Green Economy
Gary Cohn, Shipbreakers - Covering the Green Economy
 
Decoding Financial Statements - Reynolds Week 2011
Decoding Financial Statements - Reynolds Week 2011Decoding Financial Statements - Reynolds Week 2011
Decoding Financial Statements - Reynolds Week 2011
 
Business Journalists Study 2010
Business Journalists Study 2010Business Journalists Study 2010
Business Journalists Study 2010
 
Financial Statements I - Reynolds Week 2011
Financial Statements I - Reynolds Week 2011Financial Statements I - Reynolds Week 2011
Financial Statements I - Reynolds Week 2011
 

Similar to What Would You Do?: Tips for Following the Paper Trail of Private Companies and Nonprofits

Chinese Social Credit Score: Utopian Big Data Bliss Or Black Mirror On Steroids?
Chinese Social Credit Score: Utopian Big Data Bliss Or Black Mirror On Steroids?Chinese Social Credit Score: Utopian Big Data Bliss Or Black Mirror On Steroids?
Chinese Social Credit Score: Utopian Big Data Bliss Or Black Mirror On Steroids?Bernard Marr
 
The East India Company ( Eic )
The East India Company ( Eic )The East India Company ( Eic )
The East India Company ( Eic )Christina Padilla
 
Group Presentation
Group PresentationGroup Presentation
Group Presentationdkmarshall
 
One Page Strategic Plan Excel Template Strat
One Page Strategic Plan Excel Template  StratOne Page Strategic Plan Excel Template  Strat
One Page Strategic Plan Excel Template StratTracy Berry
 
IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks (In 2023)
IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks (In 2023)IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks (In 2023)
IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks (In 2023)Susan Matthews
 
Group Presentation
Group PresentationGroup Presentation
Group Presentationabethune
 
Law homework help
Law homework helpLaw homework help
Law homework helpgaryantione
 
Law homework help
Law homework helpLaw homework help
Law homework helpalicalland
 
Law homework help
Law homework helpLaw homework help
Law homework helppowellabril
 
Boost Your Online Legal Marketing Ethically, Effectively: MOSOLO19
Boost Your Online Legal Marketing Ethically, Effectively: MOSOLO19Boost Your Online Legal Marketing Ethically, Effectively: MOSOLO19
Boost Your Online Legal Marketing Ethically, Effectively: MOSOLO19William Peacock
 
Identity Theft
Identity TheftIdentity Theft
Identity Theftsarakr00
 
Biglaw business development
Biglaw business developmentBiglaw business development
Biglaw business developmentDanny Crenshaw
 

Similar to What Would You Do?: Tips for Following the Paper Trail of Private Companies and Nonprofits (20)

Investigating Private Companies by Chris Roush
Investigating Private Companies by Chris RoushInvestigating Private Companies by Chris Roush
Investigating Private Companies by Chris Roush
 
Chinese Social Credit Score: Utopian Big Data Bliss Or Black Mirror On Steroids?
Chinese Social Credit Score: Utopian Big Data Bliss Or Black Mirror On Steroids?Chinese Social Credit Score: Utopian Big Data Bliss Or Black Mirror On Steroids?
Chinese Social Credit Score: Utopian Big Data Bliss Or Black Mirror On Steroids?
 
"Investigating Private Companies and Nonprofits"
"Investigating Private Companies and Nonprofits""Investigating Private Companies and Nonprofits"
"Investigating Private Companies and Nonprofits"
 
"Investigating Private Companies and Nonprofits" in Minneapolis 2011
"Investigating Private Companies and Nonprofits" in Minneapolis 2011"Investigating Private Companies and Nonprofits" in Minneapolis 2011
"Investigating Private Companies and Nonprofits" in Minneapolis 2011
 
BBB Market Monitor: December 2019
BBB Market Monitor: December 2019BBB Market Monitor: December 2019
BBB Market Monitor: December 2019
 
The East India Company ( Eic )
The East India Company ( Eic )The East India Company ( Eic )
The East India Company ( Eic )
 
Group Presentation
Group PresentationGroup Presentation
Group Presentation
 
One Page Strategic Plan Excel Template Strat
One Page Strategic Plan Excel Template  StratOne Page Strategic Plan Excel Template  Strat
One Page Strategic Plan Excel Template Strat
 
IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks (In 2023)
IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks (In 2023)IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks (In 2023)
IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks (In 2023)
 
Costco Vs Sam
Costco Vs SamCostco Vs Sam
Costco Vs Sam
 
Group Presentation
Group PresentationGroup Presentation
Group Presentation
 
Law homework help
Law homework helpLaw homework help
Law homework help
 
Law homework help
Law homework helpLaw homework help
Law homework help
 
Law homework help
Law homework helpLaw homework help
Law homework help
 
Law homework help
Law homework helpLaw homework help
Law homework help
 
Boost Your Online Legal Marketing Ethically, Effectively: MOSOLO19
Boost Your Online Legal Marketing Ethically, Effectively: MOSOLO19Boost Your Online Legal Marketing Ethically, Effectively: MOSOLO19
Boost Your Online Legal Marketing Ethically, Effectively: MOSOLO19
 
Identity Theft
Identity TheftIdentity Theft
Identity Theft
 
Identity theft
Identity theftIdentity theft
Identity theft
 
Biglaw business development
Biglaw business developmentBiglaw business development
Biglaw business development
 
BBB Market Monitor: August 2018
BBB Market Monitor: August 2018BBB Market Monitor: August 2018
BBB Market Monitor: August 2018
 

More from Reynolds Center for Business Journalism

“Using Census Data in Your Stories” by Brandon Quester and Evan Wyloge
“Using Census Data in Your Stories” by Brandon Quester and Evan Wyloge“Using Census Data in Your Stories” by Brandon Quester and Evan Wyloge
“Using Census Data in Your Stories” by Brandon Quester and Evan WylogeReynolds Center for Business Journalism
 
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Leverage! Using Exist...
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Leverage! Using Exist...“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Leverage! Using Exist...
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Leverage! Using Exist...Reynolds Center for Business Journalism
 
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Building the Syllabus...
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Building the Syllabus...“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Building the Syllabus...
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Building the Syllabus...Reynolds Center for Business Journalism
 
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Marketing Your Work” by Eli...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Marketing Your Work” by Eli...“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Marketing Your Work” by Eli...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Marketing Your Work” by Eli...Reynolds Center for Business Journalism
 
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Engaging Audiences to Promo...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Engaging Audiences to Promo...“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Engaging Audiences to Promo...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Engaging Audiences to Promo...Reynolds Center for Business Journalism
 
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Social Media Strategy and A...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Social Media Strategy and A...“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Social Media Strategy and A...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Social Media Strategy and A...Reynolds Center for Business Journalism
 
“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris
“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris
“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig HarrisReynolds Center for Business Journalism
 

More from Reynolds Center for Business Journalism (20)

Ire 2016 reynolds talk steve doig
Ire 2016 reynolds talk steve doigIre 2016 reynolds talk steve doig
Ire 2016 reynolds talk steve doig
 
“10 Databases You Can Use Today” by Steve Doig and Evan Wyloge
“10 Databases You Can Use Today” by Steve Doig and Evan Wyloge“10 Databases You Can Use Today” by Steve Doig and Evan Wyloge
“10 Databases You Can Use Today” by Steve Doig and Evan Wyloge
 
“The Numbers in Sports” by Dash Davidson
“The Numbers in Sports” by Dash Davidson“The Numbers in Sports” by Dash Davidson
“The Numbers in Sports” by Dash Davidson
 
“The Numbers in Sports” by Brett Kurland
“The Numbers in Sports” by Brett Kurland“The Numbers in Sports” by Brett Kurland
“The Numbers in Sports” by Brett Kurland
 
“Using Census Data in Your Stories” by Brandon Quester and Evan Wyloge
“Using Census Data in Your Stories” by Brandon Quester and Evan Wyloge“Using Census Data in Your Stories” by Brandon Quester and Evan Wyloge
“Using Census Data in Your Stories” by Brandon Quester and Evan Wyloge
 
“The Business of Pot” by Ricardo Baca and Kevin Dale
“The Business of Pot” by Ricardo Baca and Kevin Dale“The Business of Pot” by Ricardo Baca and Kevin Dale
“The Business of Pot” by Ricardo Baca and Kevin Dale
 
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Leverage! Using Exist...
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Leverage! Using Exist...“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Leverage! Using Exist...
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Leverage! Using Exist...
 
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Building the Syllabus...
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Building the Syllabus...“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Building the Syllabus...
“Developing an Effective Business Journalism Syllabus - Building the Syllabus...
 
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Marketing Your Work” by Eli...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Marketing Your Work” by Eli...“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Marketing Your Work” by Eli...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Marketing Your Work” by Eli...
 
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Engaging Audiences to Promo...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Engaging Audiences to Promo...“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Engaging Audiences to Promo...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Engaging Audiences to Promo...
 
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Social Media Strategy and A...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Social Media Strategy and A...“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Social Media Strategy and A...
“Marketing Your Work and Engaging Your Audience - Social Media Strategy and A...
 
“Teaching Business Journalism - Finding Your Audience" by Randy Smith
“Teaching Business Journalism - Finding Your Audience" by Randy Smith“Teaching Business Journalism - Finding Your Audience" by Randy Smith
“Teaching Business Journalism - Finding Your Audience" by Randy Smith
 
“Teaching Business Journalism - Organizing Your Course" by Pam Luecke
“Teaching Business Journalism - Organizing Your Course" by Pam Luecke“Teaching Business Journalism - Organizing Your Course" by Pam Luecke
“Teaching Business Journalism - Organizing Your Course" by Pam Luecke
 
“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris
“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris
“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris
 
“Covering Campaign Finance” by Leslie Wayne
“Covering Campaign Finance” by Leslie Wayne“Covering Campaign Finance” by Leslie Wayne
“Covering Campaign Finance” by Leslie Wayne
 
“The Economics of Immigration” by Fernanda Santos
“The Economics of Immigration” by Fernanda Santos“The Economics of Immigration” by Fernanda Santos
“The Economics of Immigration” by Fernanda Santos
 
“Where to Find Economic Data”
“Where to Find Economic Data”“Where to Find Economic Data”
“Where to Find Economic Data”
 
“Building Winning Business Investigations” by Glenn Hall
“Building Winning Business Investigations” by Glenn Hall“Building Winning Business Investigations” by Glenn Hall
“Building Winning Business Investigations” by Glenn Hall
 
Ag Media Summit - 30 Agriculture Stories
Ag Media Summit - 30 Agriculture StoriesAg Media Summit - 30 Agriculture Stories
Ag Media Summit - 30 Agriculture Stories
 
Data Journalism 101 - Part 3 by Michael J. Berens
Data Journalism 101 - Part 3 by Michael J. BerensData Journalism 101 - Part 3 by Michael J. Berens
Data Journalism 101 - Part 3 by Michael J. Berens
 

What Would You Do?: Tips for Following the Paper Trail of Private Companies and Nonprofits

  • 1. What would you do? Gary Cohn [email_address] Following the breadcrumb trail…
  • 2. While completing another story on the insurance industry, you get an intriguing tip: AARP, the respected seniors organization, is making millions in hidden fees from big insurance companies in return for endorsing health, life and car insurance products. The Tip
  • 3. AARP has a small army of PR specialists, but they don’t like probing questions. And your editor wants the story ASAP! Getting started
  • 4.
  • 5. The Form 990s tell you that AARP makes more than half a billion dollars a year in revenue from “royalties.” Progress – and your next steps?
  • 6.
  • 7. AARP acknowledges receiving fees, but says its all in best interest of members. You need to determine if this is true. The next steps
  • 8. Your next moves? Big piece of art
  • 9.
  • 10. You now know that AARP charges its members stealth fees for insurance. You need real people to have impact. The human element
  • 11.
  • 12. Your human interviewees have told you intriguing stories. How do you verify their accounts? Corroborating the stories
  • 13.
  • 14. Final tips and questions Gary Cohn [email_address]