CNN CEO Chris Licht has set his executive team, firming up the direct reports who will help run the cable news channel’s global operations.
Licht’s appointments are mostly longtime CNN staffers, reflecting a desire to shift CNN’s focus toward hard news, rather than a desire to make dramatic change.
“With this strong team now in place, the real work begins,” Licht wrote in a memo to staff Wednesday afternoon. “I have no doubt that these leaders will individually and collectively tackle the challenges that lie ahead and create new opportunities for CNN in the ever-evolving media landscape. These key executives will now be developing plans for their leadership teams, and we will share those decisions in the coming months. I am tremendously bullish about the future of CNN and this team — and I’m eager to move forward and roll up our sleeves, together.”
Among the executive promotions, one in particular stands out: Virginia Moseley, who will become executive vp editorial, overseeing CNN’s TV and digital newsgathering. Moseley, who previously oversaw TV newsgathering, will now add oversight of the U.S. digital editorial news team run by Rachel Smolkin. Moseley, whose husband, Tom Nides, is currently serving as the U.S. ambassador to Israel, will relocate to New York.
Licht also formally announced the addition of two outsiders to his executive team: Washington Post veteran Kristine Coratti Kelly, who earlier on Wednesday was tapped to lead global communications for CNN, and Chris Marlin, a friend of Licht’s who is tasked with leading strategy and business operations, and will be “charged with finding new revenue and optimization opportunities across the business.”
But most of Licht’s team is made up of CNN veterans, including, notably, the three executives who led CNN while Warner Bros. Discovery was searching for former CNN president Jeff Zucker’s successor.
Michael Bass will remain executive vp programming, and will lead CNN’s daily editorial call; Amy Entelis, will continue to lead talent and content development as executive vp; and Ken Jautz will continue serving as executive vp news, including oversight of operations and production, as well as HLN.
Licht also said that Johnita Due will become executive vp integrity and inclusion, overseeing diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as standards and practices. The channel is also looking for a new chief digital officer, with Licht telling staff that there is a “nationwide search underway.”
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