Sherwood: A Career in Journalism, Literature, and Digital Entrepreneurship
Few professionals have navigated the intersection of high-stakes broadcast journalism, bestselling literature, and social entrepreneurship as successfully as Sherwood. From the front lines of international conflict to the executive suites of global media conglomerates, Sherwood's career is defined by a commitment to storytelling and the study of human resilience.
Key Facts
- Executive Leadership: Served as President of ABC News and President of Disney-ABC Television Group.
- Journalistic Experience: Produced for ABC News 'Primetime' and NBC Nightly News.
- Literary Success: Author of the New York Times bestseller The Survivors Club.
- Film Adaptation: Wrote The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, adapted into a major motion picture.
- Digital Impact: Founded TheSurvivorsClub.org to support individuals facing adversity.
Television Journalism and Executive Leadership
Sherwood began his ascent in television news between 1989 and 1993, serving as an Associate Producer and Producer for ABC News 'Primetime' (originally titled PrimeTime Live), hosted by Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson. His tenure in the field was marked by significant danger; in August 1992, he was part of the ABC News team that came under sniper fire in Sarajevo, Bosnia.
In 1997, Sherwood transitioned to NBC's Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. He rose through the ranks from Producer to Senior Producer, eventually becoming the Senior Broadcast Producer. In this capacity, he was present during the critical coverage of the September 11 attacks before leaving NBC News in January 2002.
Sherwood returned to ABC in April 2004 as the Executive Producer of Good Morning America. His leadership capabilities led to his appointment as President of ABC News in New York on December 3, 2010. By January 2015, his role expanded further when he was named President of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Co-Chairman of Disney Media Networks. He departed the company following Disney's acquisition of Fox in March 2019.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Literary Contributions and Writing
Beyond the newsroom, Sherwood has established himself as a versatile writer. His non-fiction essays have appeared in prestigious publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Parade Magazine, and O Magazine.
Fiction and Novels
Sherwood's foray into fiction began in 1996 with the novel Red Mercury, published by Dove Books under the pseudonym Max Barclay. The thriller, centered on a nuclear terror threat during the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, was reportedly read with great intensity by President Bill Clinton before his trip to the games.
In 2000, while still at NBC Nightly News, he published The Man Who Ate The 747 via Bantam Books. This tragicomic story follows a Guinness Book of Records investigator in Superior, Nebraska, who meets a farmer attempting to prove his love for a woman by consuming a Boeing 747 ground into dust.
In 2004, he published The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, a narrative exploring the bonds between the living and the dead. This work was adapted into the 2010 film Charlie St. Cloud, directed by Burr Steers and starring Zac Efron.
Non-Fiction and Bestsellers
In January 2009, Sherwood released his first non-fiction book, The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life, published by Grand Central Publishing (an imprint of Hachette Book Group). The book, which examines the science of human survival, became a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into more than 15 languages.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Internet Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise
Building on the research from his non-fiction work, Sherwood launched www.TheSurvivorsClub.org in January 2009. This platform was designed as an online resource center and support network for individuals facing various forms of adversity, including financial, health, and family challenges.
Operating as a social enterprise, the site aims to help people thrive despite extreme challenges. In August 2010, the website expanded its reach by re-launching as part of the Hearst Digital Network, a division of the Hearst Corporation.
| Field | Key Role/Work | Notable Achievement/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Journalism | President of ABC News | Led news operations in New York starting Dec 2010 |
| Corporate | President, Disney-ABC Television Group | Co-Chairman of Disney Media Networks (2015-2019) |
| Literature | The Survivors Club | New York Times bestseller published in 15+ languages |
| Cinema | Charlie St. Cloud | Novel adapted into a major Universal Pictures film |
| Digital | TheSurvivorsClub.org | Social enterprise joined Hearst Digital Network in 2010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which news organizations did Sherwood work for?
Sherwood held significant roles at both ABC News and NBC News, serving as a producer for 'Primetime' and 'Nightly News' respectively, and later as President of ABC News.
What is the premise of the novel "The Man Who Ate The 747"?
It is a tragicomic tale about a man in Nebraska who grinds a Boeing 747 into dust and eats it to demonstrate the scale of his love for a woman.
Was any of Sherwood's writing adapted for the screen?
Yes, the 2004 novel The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud was adapted into a major motion picture titled Charlie St. Cloud, released by Universal Pictures in 2010.
What is the purpose of The Survivors Club website?
It is a social enterprise and online resource center dedicated to helping people survive and thrive when facing health, financial, family, or other extreme adversities.
Under what pseudonym did Sherwood write "Red Mercury"?
Sherwood wrote Red Mercury under the pseudonym Max Barclay.