About David Coursey

About David Coursey


David Coursey
David Coursey is a writer, broadcaster, event host, industry analyst, and business consultant whose opinions have been sought for more than two decades. His clients have included most of the elite companies in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Prior to becoming a technology journalist, Coursey was an award-winning radio news reporter, newspaper reporter, talk show host, and correspondent for USA Today, beginning with the paper's second day of operation.

Business History


1994 to Present – David Coursey Consulting, Inc.– DCC is an editorial services, event management, and consulting company which Mr. Coursey has operated since leaving PC Letter and DEMO. DCC was publisher of coursey.com, his newsletter published from 1996 to 2000.

DCC has produced events for Upside Publications (Showcase, Digital Living Room, etc.) and others, provided consulting services to a variety of clients, and provided editorial services to CNET Networks, Ziff Davis Media, and other organizations. DCC has also hosted media receptions and industry events.

Mr. Coursey has personally sold over $4 million in event sponsorships and managed annual budgets of in excess of $3 million.

2006 to Present – National Warning Corp. – Co-founder – NWC is a bootstrap software and services company serving emergency managers. Its first products are a public warning authoring call, Warning Wizard, and a server for gathering, formatting, adding value to, and distributing warning messages.

2004-2007 – Ziff Davis Media – Editor-at-large (and other titles). Columnist for eWEEK.com, a founding editor of Gearlog.com, etc. Currently doing non-editorial assignments, including writing and hosting PCMAGcast online events.

2001-2004 – CNET Networks Inc. – Executive Editor, ZDNet AnchorDesk, a daily e-mail newsletter about computers, Internet, and consumer electronics. He was also a commentator and interviewer on CNET Television, including News.com TV on CNBC, and host of a daily call-in program on CNET Radio.

2000-2001 – PennNET, Inc. – Vice President and Editorial Director for an online publishing and e-commerce start-up, reporting to CEO Jim Casella. Managed staff of 20 and budget of more than $1.5 million.

1989-1996 – InfoWorld Publishing Co. – Editor/Publisher of PC Letter and host of DEMO and other executive conferences. Also reporter for InfoWorld magazine and columnist for Computerworld and PC World.

Areas of Expertise


Columnist, analyst, and author specializing in: Personal and consumer electronics technologies and products; enterprise and corporate computing; radio/television/cable technology and regulatory issues; Internet security, content, technology, societal/regulatory issues; computing; software-as-a-service; wireless and RF technology, regulation, and products; personal and enterprise software; regulatory issues, rights management and privacy issues; all things Microsoft; Unix/Linux; Apple Computer; and related areas.

Event and conference development and management. Conference content development. On-stage host and presenter.

Content development for executive speeches, presentations, and product demonstrations. Development of product design, development, public relations, and marketing communications strategies.

Product development, marketing, and communications strategy consulting for technology companies.

Areas of Experience


Columnist/industry analyst—For more than two decades, Mr. Coursey has been writing about personal computing, technology and the Internet. His major work has been with MIS Week, InfoWorld, eWEEK.com, and CNET. He has also written for: Texas Computing, the Dallas Times Herald, USA Today, Computerworld, Network World, Upside, Interactive Week, and other publications.

His comments have been quoted in keynote addresses by both Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. He has been quoted in a number of international publications including USA Today and the New York Times.

For the past 8 years, Mr. Coursey has been a judge in the Software and Information Industry Association’s “Codies” awards program.

Newsletter Editor—Mr. Coursey took over PC Letter from founder Stewart Alsop, serving as editor for three years before leaving to start his own business. Editor of the coursey.com newsletter for three years. Executive Editor of AnchorDesk newsletter from January, 2001 until March, 2004. Named among the “most influential” newsletter editors five times by Marketing Computers magazine.

Event producer and host—Former host and executive producer, DEMO, an executive conference produced by InfoWorld. Founder, executive producer, and host, Showcase, Digital Living Room, and other events in a joint-venture with Upside Media with $3 million annual revenue.

Presentation Development—Has worked with companies in developing effective product demonstrations and executive presentations.

Author—“Mac OS X for Windows Users: A Switcher’s Guide” published February, 2003, and “The Mac Mini Guidebook” published June, 2005, both by Peach Pit Press. Two titles currently in development.

Broadcaster—Extensive radio experience, including 18 months hosting a daily interview program on CNET Radio. Former call-in host on KSCO, Santa Cruz, and KRLD, Dallas. Award-winning reporter for Dallas radio stations, including KLIF, KPLX, and WRR. Appearances on numerous radio stations as an interview subject and talk show guest.

Two years as a weekly commentator for CNET News.com TV on CNBC. Correspondent for CNET Broadband.

Live appearances on ABC Nightline, CNN Headline News, and CBS News. Interview appearances on NBC Nightly News, ABC News Nightline, CNBC, CNN, CNNfn, and CNN Headline news.

Consultant—Consulting assignments for Microsoft, Novell, Intel, General Magic, and other companies. Have assisted with project specification, development, and marketing projects.

Small Businessperson – Have operated a business for more than a decade, at various times have had annual budgets of over $3 million and staffs of up to 20 persons. Currently involved in a small company that is creating software and services for emergency managers in the public and private sectors.

Editorial Manager—Former Vice President-Editorial Director, PennNET, an online business unit of PennWell Publishing. Responsible for development of Vignette-based editorial system for magazine group, design of publication web sites, supervision of editorial staff.

Speaker—Besides his own events, Mr. Coursey has frequently been a presenter and moderator at Comdex, the Consumer Electronics Show, and other events. He has also hosted webinars for Ziff Davis Media and a number of other companies.

Community Involvement


Mr. Coursey is a 15-year member of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office emergency communications unit, providing leadership support at emergency incidents. He is a nationally-registered Emergency Medical Technician and a SARTECH II, recognized by the National Association for Search and Rescue. He is the Emergency Coordinator for San Joaquin County’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service and is a licensed Extra-class amateur radio operator. He is also a volunteer communicator and fire prevention worker with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.