Arlington, VA; November 7, 2014 –Today PBS announced that award-winning broadcast journalist and television executive Marie Nelson has been appointed Vice President, News & Public Affairs. Nelson will report to Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming. Nelson’s tenure begins Monday, November 10.
In this role, Nelson will collaborate with executive producers of acclaimed PBS news and public affairs series, as well as independent producers, to develop and direct innovative approaches to engage audiences in current events across these programs and platforms.
“Marie is a proven leader with experience in development and production for a diverse range of public affairs programs, documentaries and live specials,” said Hoppe. “Her expertise producing our multi-platform initiative, AMERICA AFTER FERGUSON, demonstrates exactly why she is an outstanding choice to fulfill this role for PBS.”
Nelson is a seasoned content developer with experience in public media and other broadcast and cable organizations. Most recently, she served as executive producer of national programs at PBS member station WGBH. At WGBH, she oversaw the production of America by the Numbers, an eight-part documentary series that explores the impact of America’s changing demographics. Prior to WGBH, Nelson was the acting vice president of news & original programming for BET Networks, where she oversaw a range of cross-platform projects, including Battleground 2012, a yearlong politics initiative. She also served as the founding executive producer for NPR’s “Tell Me More” and as a producer for “Nightline” with Ted Koppel and “World News Tonight” at ABC News. Nelson has also served in public affairs and international development roles with the U.S. Department of State, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and Africare.
“PBS is among the top destinations for news and public affairs programming and I’m thrilled to help lead these efforts for PBS and its member stations,” said Nelson. “I look forward to working with all of PBS’ award-winning news and public affairs producers to bring important and informative stories to engage audiences in exciting ways.”
About PBS
PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 109 million people through television and over 28 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’ 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. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. 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 devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS PressRoom on Twitter.
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CONTACT:
Jennifer Byrne, 703-739-5487, jrbyrne@pbs.org