ARLINGTON, VA; November 15, 2021—PBS announced today that Maribel Lopez has been named Head of PBS Digital Studios. In this role, she will oversee efforts to further drive content delivery and audience development across multiple digital platforms including, PBS’s YouTube channel. Lopez will begin the role on December 13 and will report directly to PBS Chief Programming Executive Sylvia Bugg.
PBS Digital Studios offers original series and short-form content that explore science, arts, culture and more. PBS Digital Studios is a leader in online content creation and boasts five of YouTube’s top 20 U.S. Education creators and three of YouTube’s top 20 U.S. Science & Tech creators based on average monthly views. Each month, PBS Digital Studios averages over 27 million users and 50 million views on YouTube.
As the Head of PBS Digital Studios, Lopez will be responsible for identifying opportunities to expand reach and implement strategies to advance the legacy of PBS to the next generation of fans and supporters of public media. She will also serve as the executive producer of PBS’s original digital programming, oversee publishing operations and manage relationships with PBS member stations on behalf of PBS Digital Studios.
"It is PBS’s mission to offer engaging and thought-provoking content across all platforms—and PBS Digital Studios does just that. This digital-first programming has been extremely successful in attracting younger viewers, and I know it will continue to thrive under Maribel’s leadership,” said Bugg. “Having previously worked as an executive producer on Sound Field and other series, Maribel understands the driving mission of Digital Studios, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the PBS team.”
Lopez comes to PBS Digital Studios by way of Twin Cities PBS (TPT), a member station located in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she held several creative and leadership roles. Lopez is the executive producer of Sound Field, TPT’s award-winning music education YouTube series produced for PBS Digital Studios, and she has served as the managing director of Racism Unveiled, a multiplatform storytelling initiative about racism in Minnesota. She also oversaw Rewire.org, TPT’s national digital publication by and for young adults. Lopez has worked across various departments at TPT such as digital account management, partner relations, marketing & events, and development.
"The work of PBS Digital Studios—in partnership with producers and local stations—is vital to the future of public media. To have played a small part in this from Twin Cities PBS has been one of the highlights of my career. I simply couldn’t be more excited to build upon this impressive body of work and lead such a dynamite team,”said Lopez.
Lopez’s work has been recognized with Webby Awards (2020, 2021), Telly Awards (2019, 2020, 2021) and a Regional Emmy Award (2018). She has held several professional leadership roles such as the Poynter Leadership Academy for Women in Media, PBS Digital Immersion Project Mentor, PBS Digital Media Advisory Council, and Twin Cities PBS Emerging Leader Cohort. Lopez graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wartburg College with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication Arts & Spanish.
About PBS Digital Studios
PBS Digital Studiosproduces original, digital programming for YouTube and Facebook, designed to engage, enlighten, and entertain online audiences. The PBS Digital Studios network has more than 27 million subscribers, generating an average of 50 million views a month and has acquired more than three billion lifetime views. Currently, the Studio has 20 original series streaming online, including eight series from PBS member stations. Series include the Webby Award-winning IT’S OKAY TO BE SMART and CRASH COURSE, as well as popular series such as TWO CENTS, EONSand PBS SPACE TIME.
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirm that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on Twitter.
– PBS –
CONTACT:
PBS, PR@pbs.org