UGC creation

Since 2011, Jareen has built expertise in user-generated content. At CNN, she was part of the organization’s iReport team, which built an audience of more than one million citizen journalists from around the world who uploaded news-related content to the company’s proprietary website portal. At CNN, Jareen created UGC campaigns that drove audience engagement and brought new content and data to the organization. She brought her UGC verification and cultivation skills to CBS News and NBCUniversal to expand those organizations’ social media strategies. Beyond her career, Jareen is also adept at creating UGC programs for clients that inspire audiences to create authentic content that brands can leverage.

UGC storytelling

At CNN, Jareen created dozens of UGC campaigns that encouraged global audiences to upload their original photos and videos to CNN on topics ranging from breaking news and severe weather to celestial phenomena. This work was revolutionary at the time because UGC was still a very new concept, and not everyone had a smartphone to capture original content. The UGC campaigns Jareen created for CNN led to original reporting that allowed the organization to tell important and historic stories, including the 2011 Arab Spring, which won Jareen and her team a Breaking News Peabody Award.

Social card for A look back at the Arab Spring 10 years later from CNN

CNNA look back at the Arab Spring 10 years later

Social card for CNN’s report on an Illinois tornado

CNNVideo captures an Illinois tornado’s incredible power

Social card for CNN’s report on a supercharged northern lights display

CNNSupercharged northern lights visible in parts of the U.S. and Europe

UGC verification

At NBC News, Jareen’s social newsgathering team specialized in identifying and verifying UGC from around the world to tell some of the most important news stories. Her team’s work included identifying the spread of COVID-19 in December 2019, covering election integrity issues in the U.S., and reporting on the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Social card for NBC News reporting on arrests after the Capitol riots

NBC NewsWhat we know about those arrested after the Capitol riots

Social card for NBC News coverage of nationwide protests after George Floyd’s death

NBC NewsGeorge Floyd’s death and nationwide protests

Social card for NBC News reporting on federal agents and Portland protesters

NBC NewsPortland protesters describe being detained and chased by federal agents