CNN’s Chief Expands Leadership Team
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CNN’s new executive structure isn’t that different from its old one.
CNN’s new chief expanded the news outlet’s leadership team Wednesday, keeping some senior executives in place while adding new ones to the mix.
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In a memo, CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht elevated Virginia Moseley to executive vice president of U.S.-based editorial, a job that puts her in charge of newsgathering for the Warner Bros. Discovery unit’s TV and digital venues in America. Moseley had been senior vice president of newsgathering in the U.S., and the new role will widen her purview beyond CNN’s U.S. bureaus and Washington newsgathering operations. Moseley, a news-industry veteran, had previously worked for ABC News. “We are fortunate to continue to have Virginia’s extensive knowledge of newsgathering in an expanded role that will further unify our resources and coverage across platforms. Virginia will now be based in New York City,” said Licht, in the memo. Moseley is married to Tom Nides, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, a tie that could bring scrutiny to CNN’s news coverage decisions.
Three senior operatives who have been in place at CNN for years will remain in those roles, Licht said. Michael Bass, executive vice president of programming; Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent and content development; and Ken Jautz, executive vice president of news, will continue. The three handled similar responsibilities under CNN’s previous leader, Jeff Zucker, and there had been some speculation internally that one or more of them might leave under a new executive regime. Instead, they are all staying on hand. Bass will run the network’s daily 9 a.m. editorial call and its program lineup, while Entelis’ ” vision for the future of this part of our business is incredibly valuable to all of us, “Licht said. “I look forward to continuing to harness her talent expertise as we plot our next chapter.”
Jautz will also maintain his oversight over HLN, a cable-network sibling to CNN that, in its current iteration, focuses largely on true-crime documentaries with a morning devoted to a news show led by anchor Robin Meade.
Johnita Due was named executive vice president of integrity and inclusion, a newly created position that will also play a role in Warner Bros. Discovery’s sports operations. ” I have asked her to continue to nurture diverse talent and help them thrive within our ranks,” Licht said. As a result, Calvin Sims, executive vice president of standards, will be leaving CNN, Licht said, with Due taking oversight of his team.
Chris Marlin was named CNN’s group executive vice president of strategy and business operations, charted with identifying new revenue opportunities across the business.
Kristine Coratti Kelly, a veteran of The Washington Post, is joining CNN Worldwide as an executive vice president and head of global communications, essentially filling a role that has not had a executive in it on a permanent basis since Allison Gollust, the former chief marketing officer of CNN, left in February after WarnerMedia began to investigate the handling of the network’s ouster of former anchor Chris Cuomo. Coratti will supervise brand strategy, creative marketing, events and brand initiatives, media relations and employee and external communications. Coratti Kelly is expected to start her new role in August.
“Kris is one of the most dynamic, creative and respected executives in her field with an incredible track record of success,” said Licht, in a prepared statement.. “I am completely confident in her ability to support and advance CNN’s core values of trust, transparency and accountability in journalism.”
Coratti Kelly had been with The Washington Post since 2006, and was most recently the news company’s chief communications officer as well as the general manager of its Washington Post Live video operation. She helped lead that company’s efforts to expand into film and television projects. She previously worked for CNN, launching her career there in 2000 as a research coordinator and in public relations.
“CNN is one of the most consequential and trusted news organizations in the world,” said Coratti Kelly, in a statement. “I am thrilled to join this team and help deliver on Chris Licht’s vision to grow CNN’s reach and reputation as world’s leading source for news and information.”
(Above, pictured: Kris Coratti Kelly)
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