Meet the Data Wrangler

Yahoo! FinanceVision's Data Wrangler may qualify as the most unique role in live webcasting. While the occupation has only existed for a little over a year, the title's well on its way to entering the industry lexicon.

The Data Wrangler is responsible for controlling the top right frame of the player, simply known as the "data window". In most cases, data will consist of text, charts and URL links to stock information and company sites discussed during the broadcast.

Yahoo!'s proprietary administration tool allows local and remote staff to upload these links, images and other resources into pre-designed HTML templates. These Web formatted data files are then stored on a server and grouped into playlists for corresponding live financial segments and cut-ins.

The data is then pushed live, on cue, into the data window for user interaction. Most clickable content will load Web pages into the browser portion of the player and can be used to conduct polls and surveys.

In the event that a discussion topic diverges from the playlist's options, an override feature allows the Wrangler to search for and push more appropriate data. And if something is completely amiss in the window, the Wrangler has a final option: A panic button is on standby for loading generic content — the webcast equivalent of "please stand by."

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