Yesterday, NPR announced that Vivian Schiller, current SVP/GM at NYTimes.com, will become its new President and CEO effective January 5th. She brings some great qualifications with her, not the least of which to readers of this blog is her history of bringing content out from behind DRM at the Times. In previous professional lives, Vivian also has experience with long form media at CNN and Discovery. I'm very happy to extend to her my enthusiastic support.
Links: paidContent.org for Rafat Ali's take on the story and Staci Kramer's interview with Vivian.
I will continue as NPR's Interim Prez/CEO until then, and the board has asked me to follow that with a stint as Executive Vice President. Thanks to the many well-wishers who've written or called since yesterday. It's been a true privilege to serve in this role. There is no "NPR exception" from the current deep recession, but I'm confident we will be unwaivering in our commitment to both excellent journalism and breaking new ground in emerging platforms.
Updated 13 November, 2008:
Hear NPR's Madeline Brand and David Folkenflik discussing the hire on Morning Edition. Link: NPR.
--Dennis
Dennis,
Your work in this job in just 9 months (and the prior years helping the system find its way in the digital forest) have been invaluable to all of us.
As public media makers and as users we all benefit from your passionate committment to stations and content and multi platform distribution. I can't think of anyone as much the right person in the right place at the right time. Thanks for
all you've done to get us here. Steve
Posted by: steve rathe | Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at 14:20
Hey Dennis
I just wanted to make a public statement of appreciation for your selfless act of taking on the ICEO job.
Just as I was frustrated before your arrival, I have seen great things emerging with your presence.
It is a special person who can give all as you have and not be "THE ONE"
Hats off to you Dennis
Rob
Posted by: Rob Paterson | Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at 08:38