Dave Jorgenson
Dave Jorgenson | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Tulsa |
| Alma mater | DePauw University (BA) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Employer(s) | Independent Journal Review The Washington Post |
| Known for | TikToks |
Dave Jorgenson is an American video producer. He is best known as the face of The Washington Post's TikTok account.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The account has 1.6 million followers and 82.1 million likes as of July 2023[update].[8]
Early life[edit]
Dave Jorgenson was born to Mary and Mark Jorgenson.[9] He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kansas, in 2009.[9] He was the sports editor for the school's yearbook, and member of the Pep Club, drumline, theater and basketball.[9] Jorgenson attended the University of Tulsa[9] and graduated from DePauw University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing.[10][11][12] Jorgenson was an Eagle Scout.[12][13]
Career[edit]
Jorgenson interned at The Colbert Report during the 2012 election.[9][12] From 2014 to 2017, he produced videos for the Independent Journal Review.[1] In May 2017, he joined The Washington Post as a creative video producer, where he wrote and produced their "Department of Satire" series.[13][1] He launched the newspaper's TikTok account in May 2019, after which it quickly went viral.[6]
The account's videos focus largely on newsroom operations, making use of nerd humor.[6] As of November 2021[update], it has 1.1 million followers and its videos have garnered 44.9 million likes.[8] The Atlantic described the account as "self-aware, slapstick, and slightly cringey—a parade of pets, stunts, and workplace humor, often set to blaring pop music and shot through with a winking sense of humor about the very fact that a 142-year-old newspaper is even on here in the first place".[1]
Jorgenson has drawn attention for his project's success in connecting with Generation Z,[1] a task that many other mainstream newspapers have struggled with.
Jorgenson published a book titled Make a TikTok Every Day in June 2021, which features one TikTok video idea for every day of the year and includes 12 interviews with creators.
Personal life[edit]
Jorgenson resides with his wife, Mariana, in a one-bedroom apartment where he films many of his videos.[14] In July 2023 he announced that he and his wife are expecting a child.[15]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Nover, Scott (December 4, 2019). "How Do You Do, Fellow Kids?". The Atlantic. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ Mahadevan, Alex (October 2, 2019). "How The Washington Post's TikTok guy Dave Jorgenson gets millions of views by being uncool". Poynter. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ Tenbarge, Kat (June 23, 2019). "Meet the man behind TikTok's most surprising breakout success". Insider. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ Beaujon, Andrew (June 19, 2019). "There Is, in Fact, a Plan Behind the Washington Post's Gloriously Weird TikTok". Washingtonian. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ Green, Daniel (April 7, 2020). "Washington Post uses TikTok to engage quarantined Gen Z audience". Journalism.co.uk. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c Pellico, Katie. "How the Washington Post uses TikTok to engage with its audience". CNN. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ Gallucci, Nicole (March 22, 2021). "Dave Jorgenson chats about life as the Washington Post TikTok guy, his love of Spam, and more". Mashable. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ a b "@washingtonpost". TikTok. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Miesner, Anna (October 28, 2020). "Meet North Alumnus Dave Jorgenson – A Washington Post video producer, TikTok creator and author". The Mission. Shawnee Mission North High School. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021.
- ^ "Dave Jorgenson". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ "Dave Jorgenson '13 Joins the Washington Post". DePauw University. June 23, 2017. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Alumni Talks: Dave Jorgenson '13". DePauw University. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ a b "Dave Jorgenson". LinkedIn. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ Mullins, Luke (March 20, 2020). "My Life in DC's Coronavirus Era: Dave Jorgenson". Washingtonian. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ @davejorgenson (July 25, 2023). "Some news I've been very excited to share for a long time: My wife and I are expecting!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.