☍ Uncommon Content Co
An Aussie in Berlin ⌁ auto/tech writer
words, design, photos, video
Founder of dadbase.co
↯ Previously
⬘ Deputy Editor, The Motor Report
⬗ News Editor, CarAdvice / Drive (author page)
⬖ Publishing Director of Digital, Wheels (author page)
Hi, hello, ahoy. I’m Mike Stevens – an Aussie in Berlin, where I live with my wife Friedel and our two young’ns.
DadBase.co is my website about #dadlife, from parenting experiences and tips through to news and reviews of the things I like and the things that make life a treat while raising kids.
I’m also a freelance writer and creator, so scroll on down to learn more!
JUMP AHEAD
I’ve worked for nearly 20 years in the automotive and technology media space as a reporter, tester, editor, manager and content strategist.
Other tools of creation in my kit include photography and video (presenting and editing), along with my first loves of graphic design and illustration.
As a journalist, I write primarily on family cars and new products in the automotive space, with a particular focus on EVs. Indeed, my kids have banned me from combustion cars! (Although neither complained about time spent with my 944 Turbo…)
I also have a keen interest in new consumer gadgets of the pocketable and wearable variety, from phones to smart watches, earbuds to smart tags, laptops to tablets, and all manner of smart household toys appliances.
In service of that work, I also offer my photography, video, design and illustration skills to any client that might benefit from an ‘all-rounder’ offering.
CONTACT
I’m available to chat on WhatsApp and Signal, but please email me first for my contact details.
I’d love for you to take a look at some of my work below – both in automotive and my own personal projects – and if you’d like to discuss any potential opportunities, please come and say g’day!
Writing
The below links all point to Google Docs pages, to ensure they’re always accessible in this otherwise ephemeral landscape. An original article link is embedded in each document.
⌦ As is often required with the pace of today’s media landscape, the stories below are presented as filed, edited only by myself.
- ANALYSIS: Australian EV growth needs CO2 regulations
- DEEP DIVE: 2024 Polestar 3 unveiled
- INTERVIEW: Polestar sustainability boss on mining and ‘animal welfare’ leather
- INTERVIEW: Toyota will keep going hard with hybrids in Australia
- NEWS: Kia EV3 small SUV: Everything you need to know
- NEWS: 2024 Audi RS6 GT: Final super wagon revealed
- NEWS: 2025 BMW iX3 previewed: Vision Neue Klasse X concept
- NEWS: 2025 Renault 5 E-Tech EV revealed
- NEWS: A hot Kona EV could still happen; Hyundai “has a solution”
- NEWS: BYD benefited from $5.6B in direct govt aid
- NEWS: Kia EV battery recycling: Partnership announced with Infinitev
- NEWS: Polestar 7 confirmed as Polestar 2 successor
- TECH: Apple CarPlay upgrade will include heating/cooling and speedo displays
- POLL: Ford shows new 48-inch display – should huge screens be allowed?
- REVIEW: 2022 Kia EV6 review: Air and GT-Line, Australian first drive
- REVIEW: 2024 Genesis GV80 review: Coupe and SUV wagon
- REVIEW: 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid review: Australian launch
- REVIEW: 2024 Kia EV9 review: 7-Seat Electric SUV tested
- REVIEW: 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech review: Australian first drive
- REVIEW: 2024 Toyota BZ4x review: First spin on Australian asphalt
Photography
Motoring
People
Graphic & composite article images
Some of my favourite ‘furiously fast’ work produced on any of a million hectic days in digital publishing. Most of these images use multiple photos to create hero images for ‘on paper’ comparison articles, while some are graphics over existing group photos. See if you can tell which is which!
⌦ It shouldn’t be too hard – perfectly matching photos produced with completely different sensors, lenses, filters, lighting and grading would be a Herculean effort!
Some favourite ID works
Video
Words to live by
“Clarity is kindness” – Brené Brown on the importance of being clear and direct with others as a form of respect and care.
“I’d rather be someone’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea.” – Yep, that’s a Sex in the City quote. No regrets!
⌁ SERVICES
- NEWS & REVIEWS
- With and without AI, the latter being thoroughly coached, checked and edited before publishing.
- Editing & sub-editing your contributor/team content to ensure:
- the story makes sense
- facts are accurate and appropriate
- the tone of voice is consistent
- the text adheres to company style
- it contains no awkward phrases or passive voice
- there are no legal issues
- Content production, from receipt of raw/edited copy and images to polished and published product:
- CMS management
- story layout and specific graphic/infographic design
- photo grading and manipulation as needed
- back links to and from earlier content
- SEO: Best practice in the copy and construction of stories and pages (inc URLs and titles)
- Social media:
- Posting and scheduling stories to Facebook/Instagram with best practice copy and imagery
- Creating compelling social-specific content such as galleries, infographics, flashbacks, polls, memes and more
- Monitoring trends for new social opportunities
- Reader engagement: Facebook and Instagram comments, messenger and email inboxes
- Home & landing page construction and curation
- Design: branding, pages, vehicles, collateral for both content and wider business needs
- Illustration as needed
- Video: Scripting, presenting, editing, publishing
- Photography and photo manipulation as needed
(IN)FAMOUSLY PROCESS OBSESSED
I can also offer extensive training in production workflow for Trello and Sanity, Google Docs, Gmail, Slack, tips and tricks for Facebook and Instagram, clever and useful extensions for Google Chrome, and so on.
Thanks for reading!
