The power of video

Jacque Smith on what themes resonate with CNN's digital audience

View in browser An exclusive inside look with your free CNN account 📹 We asked one of CNN's Digital Video leaders what audiences are watching. Here's what she shared From CNN executive producer Jacque Smith: From writing scripts to shooting and editing video, the Original Video team does it all for CNN's digital platforms.    Our producers create original content in the field and from our desks while working closely with our sister team, Video Programming, to make sure the most engaging video from across the network is available for audiences wherever they want to watch it — including CNN's app, YouTube and TikTok.    We are constantly monitoring what is performing well, and these are five themes that often resonate with CNN's digital audience.  Stories with impact  Tyre Nichols was a photographer. See the world through his lens. Video plays a key role for CNN's online audiences during breaking news. After the deadly arrest of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols in January, Memphis police released four video clips from the arresting officers' bodycams. CNN producers Amanda Steen and Bryce Urbany synced those clips into a nearly nine-minute-long narrated video that provided context and a timeline of the events that led to Nichols' death.   The victim and his or her life story are often lost in news reporting, particularly about a heinous crime. To highlight who Tyre Nichols was, Katherine Jennings and Alexandra King produced this glimpse into his life as a skateboarder and a photographer, and the audience got a chance to see the world through his lens. Can you explain that?  Hear why the new Securing a Strong Retirement Act could mean big changes for your 401(k) retirement plan. What's good about the recent 401(k) changes? Why are people protesting in Peru? Our audience loves when we use CNN's expertise and access to answer tough questions. Lacey Russell and Deb Brunswick recently produced a video for TikTok featuring the "grandmother of Juneteenth" that helped people understand how to honor the holiday. We've also published several great explainers around the weapons being used in Ukraine. In this one from producer Max Burnell, an expert breaks down the role that drones are playing in the war. Watching moments go viral   Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes escorts teammate Travis Kelce away from the microphone at a White House event. Viral videos are often our top performers on all platforms, whether it's dash-cam video of a crazy car accident or footage of an unfortunate gym mishap. We try to keep those videos short and provide just enough context to understand what's happening; check out football player Travis Kelce sneaking up to the microphone during a White House event.  The good, the bad and the ugly (of technology) CNN took over a 14-year-old's TikTok account. Seventeen minutes in, this is what we saw. Technology is an important beat for CNN Digital. We cover the pros and cons of emerging apps and products to help people understand how new tech will impact their lives. Our Nightcap show team hosts engaging discussions weekly around water-cooler topics; watch this interview with a hacker to learn how to keep your passwords safe. CNN writer Clare Duffy and producer Zach Wasser took over a 14-year-old's TikTok account to show parents what their teen is seeing on the platform. And CNN producer Jon Sarlin tested AI's flirting abilities. News you can use  Don't just squeeze. Check this spot to see if your avocado is ripe. Our feature verticals such as "Travel, Style and Life but Better" give people a break from the harder news. We've seen particular interest in videos that offer tips, from picking a perfectly ripe avocado to keeping your brain sharp to saving on luggage fees with viral packing tips. Our audience also loves when we enrich their lives by showing them cool places — like Aaron Fisher and Natalia Osipova's video on this perfectly preserved historical mansion. And you can't exactly "use" this video on why your cat is obsessed with cardboard boxes, but it did make my day better. That counts, right? 💳   CNN insider rec of the week Brought to you by CNN Underscored In June, the CNN Underscored editors were introduced to a plethora of products, from a new Swiffer and Tide Pods to a very nice cat bed. Whether you're shopping for yourself, a loved one or your furry best friend, here are over 50 products our editors discovered and fell in love with last month. 💳  Sponsor Content by Compare Cards The brilliant way to pay off $10,000 in credit card debt Start paying down your balance and stop paying interest to start your journey to becoming debt free. ✉️  talk to us We enjoy hearing from our readers! Send your thoughts to insidecnn@cnn.com  - Edited and produced by Leighton Rowell Lima, Kyle Almond, Tricia Escobedo and Kimberly Richardson INSIDE CNN An exclusive inside look with your free CNN account You are receiving this newsletter because you're subscribed to Inside CNN.   No longer want to receive this newsletter? Unsubscribe. Interested in more? See all of our newsletters.   Create CNN Account | Listen to CNN Audio | Download the CNN App    ® © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303