ARLINGTON, VA, May 28, 2008 - Cheri Carter, Executive Director of the PBS Foundation, is pleased to announce Phyllis L. Kim as Deputy Director. Ms. Kim most recently served as Principal of the Brigantine Communications Group LLC., a company she founded in 2003. The full-service public relations consultancy provides business-to-business and marketing communications counsel to corporations and non-profit organizations. Ms. Kim began her tenure at PBS May 1 and reports directly to Ms. Carter.
"Phyllis not only brings experience in public television, but also in marketing, communications and education," said Ms. Carter. "She has entrepreneurial drive and understands the vital work of PBS, as well as the overall importance of public television's role in local communities. Phyllis has a proven track record with cause-related marketing and the ability to think strategically and creatively to expand on the Foundation's success."
"I am thrilled to join the PBS Foundation in a position that allows me to draw upon my experience working with public television stations and my deep appreciation for the mission of service media," said Ms. Kim. "I look forward to cultivating relationships with supporters of PBS and telling our compelling story to potential donors."
Ms. Kim's primary role will be to support the Executive Director by providing the strategic vision, leadership and coordination of the PBS Foundation's fundraising strategies and activities. Her work will help PBS support its on-air and online programming and long-term strategic objectives. Ms. Kim is also responsible for helping to ensure the growth of major individual, corporate and foundation gifts, and managing and organizing the Foundation's daily operations and budget.
In addition to being the founding Principal of Brigantine Communications Group LLC., Ms. Kim has worked at public relations and advertising agencies, including Fleishman and Hillard Inc. There she served as Vice President, Marketing Communications, providing strategic counsel and developing communications campaigns for Fortune 100 companies.
Ms. Kim has worked at two PBS stations, KETC/Channel 9 in St. Louis, Missouri, and WNET/Thirteen in New York, New York. She was KETC's Director of Communications from 1997-2000, responsible for all internal and external communications, including oversight of advertising, media relations, crisis management and promotions. Ms. Kim represented the station on national issues affecting public broadcasting and repositioned KETC as a cultural institution within the bi-state area.
At WNET, Ms. Kim served as Account Director of National Program Marketing from 1992-1994. In this role, she created and executed strategic plans in public relations, advertising and merchandising/licensing opportunities, and produced and managed an award-winning multi-media marketing campaign for Behind the Scenes, a children's program focusing on the creative and performing arts, for which she won the PBS National Advertising/Promotion Award in 1992. She was also a member of the station's staff from 1986-1989, when she served as the Associate Marketing Director in the corporate and foundation underwriting department.
A graduate of the University of Florida, Ms. Kim holds a B.A. in Journalism and Communications, with emphasis in Public Relations. Fluent in Cantonese and Spanish, Ms. Kim has served on numerous Boards of Directors and Trustees throughout her career. She also taught public relations at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and developed the curriculum for a course on international public relations. Ms. Kim began her career at The Commonwealth Fund in 1985 and later served as an account executive at the advertising firm Margeotes, Fertitta and Associates.
About PBS
PBS, with its 355 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 week, PBS reaches more than 73 million people and invites them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs have 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 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.
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. The PBS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and a 509(a)(3) supporting organization of PBS. For more information, visit www.pbs.org/foundation.
-PBS-
CONTACT:
Jennifer Daddura, 703-739-5223, jedaddura@pbs.org
www.pbs.org/pressroom