Brian J. Reddington Appointed Senior Vice President of Development
Arlington, Va., March 1, 2010 – PBS today announced plans to expand its fundraising efforts, part of the strategy to generate new revenue to support its member stations and continue public media’s work in educational children’s content, journalism and the arts. To help lead this effort, veteran fundraiser Brian J. Reddington has joined PBS as senior vice president of development.
Mr. Reddington will help PBS raise money from individual donors, foundations, corporations and other sources. He will also help establish a long-term vision to strengthen funding for PBS and its member stations, with a special focus on creating individual-giving programs and online fundraising initiatives. In addition, Mr. Reddington will oversee the PBS Foundation, an organization that seeks major gifts from philanthropists to support PBS. He will report to Chief Operating Officer Michael D. Jones.
PBS, which reaches more than 110 million television viewers and nearly 19 million online users each month, is boosting national fundraising to support several projects that aim to pioneer new uses of television and digital media for the public’s benefit. These projects include an initiative to help children build their science, technology, engineering and math skills, as well as efforts to expand the public’s engagement with the arts. In addition, PBS is seeking support for its independent journalism, including a forthcoming Web portal that will serve as a single online source for the best reporting from PBS, public radio and local public broadcasters.
“PBS needs new resources to continue its important work in serving our children, our democracy and our culture,” said PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger. “Our goal is to supplement the support we currently receive so PBS can continue to innovate and use the power of media to open minds, change lives and strengthen communities.”
In two recent national polls conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media, the public named PBS the most trusted national institution and fairest news source among broadcast and cable channels, as well as the most educational media brand for preschoolers. The polls also show that the public sees PBS as a leader in helping disadvantaged children perform better in school and offering greater access to the arts and culture.
“I am very pleased to join PBS and work with Paula, Michael and the rest of the team, as well as the dedicated development professionals at PBS’ local member stations,” said Mr. Reddington. “In these challenging times, PBS’ dedication to children, democracy and culture is more important than ever. I am proud to be part of this mission.”
From 2006 until 2010, Mr. Reddington served as director of institutional advancement at the Smithsonian Institution, where he directed all external functions in the Central Office of Development, including Friends of the Smithsonian, corporate relations, donor relations, foundation relations, leadership gifts, major gifts and planned giving. During his tenure, he initiated and oversaw the creation of solicitation plans for the Smithsonian’s top 100 donors, served as a key member of the team that achieved the Smithsonian’s second-highest annual fundraising results of $166 million and led the first overhaul of the Smithsonian’s 45-year-old membership program. Mr. Reddington also managed the creation of the first development plan for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and was a critical part of the staff planning committee for the Smithsonian’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Mr. Reddington served as the director of development for Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York from 2001 to 2006 and held senior-level development positions with Lenox Hill Hospital, Carnegie Hall and Pace University. Previously, Mr. Reddington worked for Mellon Bank and Transamerica.
Mr. Reddington is a graduate of Niagara University with a BS in commerce and has completed academic work at Canisius College, Graduate School of Business.
About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans – from every walk of life – the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 110 million people through television and nearly 19 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 Web site, 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 Web sites on the Internet.
About the PBS Foundation
The mission of the PBS Foundation is to enlist philanthropic support of public broadcasting through establishing special initiatives funds and a permanent endowment to ensure PBS’ continued excellence, and to promote and enhance outstanding public broadcasting programs and services. Working collaboratively and cooperatively with member stations, the Foundation will secure the extraordinary funding necessary to maintain and enhance its commitment to serving the American public.
CONTACT:
Jan McNamara, jmcnamara@pbs.org, 703-739-5028