CNN President Jeff Zucker announced today a new management structure for CNN Digital led by Andrew Morse, Meredith Artley and Alex Wellen. This moves comes after KC Estenson, the former senior vice president and general manager of CNN.com, was laid off amid company-wide cuts.
The new, three-headed digital group has specific roles designed for each member. Morse will oversee CNN Digital global operations and editorial. Wellen is the chief product officer, while Artley has been promoted to editor-in-chief.
Zucker issued the following statement:
We recognize that digital platforms are often the first screens that touch our users, and that’s why we consider this area of our business and editorial development among the most important we will focus on in the year ahead. I have complete confidence in Andrew, Meredith and Alex, and the talented teams working alongside them in these important roles and can’t wait to see all that they will accomplish.
In addition to his new responsibilities, Morse will continue to oversee all of CNN’s domestic newsgathering, as well as Washington bureau programming. Artley gets a promotion from managing editor and will head up all of the network’s digital content creation worldwide. Wellen, who had been a CNN Digital VP, is CNN’s first CPO and will be responsible for the product, technology, and strategic vision of CNN’s digital content across various platforms.
Wellen will essentially inherit many of Estenson’s operational duties. Wellen and Artley will be based in Atlanta and report to Morse. “[Wellen and Artley] bring great experience and diverse skill sets to the table, and together they make a formidable leadership team,” Morse added.