Keith Summa, who has headed up CBS News’ investigative unit since 2007, is joining Univision as vice president of news partnerships.
In his new role, which begins today, Summa will work with journalists at Univision, as well as the soon-to-be-launched joint venture between Univision and ABC News, “to support and expand the culture of investigative and enterprise reporting,” according to Univision. He will also serve as Univision’s liaison to ABC News for the channel.
In a statement, Univision president Isaac Lee praised Summa as “someone who is at the forefront of reporting on relevant issues and shedding light on topics that matter most to the community.”
Prior to his five years at CBS, Summa spent 15 years as a producer for ABC News and Peter Jennings Productions.
>Update: The Univision announcement is after the jump.
UNIVISION NEWS APPOINTS KEITH SUMMA AS VICE PRESIDENT OF NEWS PARTNERSHIPS
NEW YORK – AUGUST 20, 2012 – Univision News, a division of Univision Communications Inc., the nation’s leading media company serving Hispanic America, appointed Keith Summa as vice president of News Partnerships. Effectively immediately, Summa will be based in New York and report to Isaac Lee, president, Univision News.
In his new position, Summa will work with journalists in both Univision News and within the Univision/ABC joint venture to support and expand the culture of investigative and enterprise reporting in both organizations. Summa will also serve as Univision News’ liaison with ABC News in the joint venture, and work with and develop other journalism partnerships.
“Keith Summa is not only a respected news reporter but someone who is at the forefront of reporting on relevant issues and shedding light on topics that matter most to the community,” asserted Lee. “This new addition enhances Univision News’ commitment to offering quality news reporting and journalism for our viewers.”
Prior to joining Univision, Summa was head of the CBS News Investigative Unit since 2007. During his tenure at CBS, he transformed the investigative unit from one serving just the “CBS Evening News” into a team that served the entire news division. Under his leadership, his team of investigative reporters and producers received the Emmy® award for Outstanding Investigative Journalism for a consecutive three years.
Before that, Summa spent 15 years as a producer for ABC News and Peter Jennings Productions. During that time, he produced the Peabody award winning primetime special, “To Iraq and Back,” with Bob Woodruff.
“Univision News is continuing to make strides in the news sphere,” said Summa. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Univision family as they expand their commitment to relevant, meaningful, enterprise reporting for both the Spanish and English speaking audiences.”
Summa’s documentaries for “Peter Jennings Reporting” include Jennings’ last documentary, “Breakdown: America’s Health Insurance Crisis,” which revealed the dangers of rising health care costs, as well as “From the Tobacco Files,” exposing failures of the public health community; “How To Get Fat Without Really Trying,” examining how agriculture policies and excessive marketing to children contribute to obesity; “Bitter Medicine: Pills, Profit and the Public Health,” an investigation of the pharmaceutical industry; “The Gunfight,” an exclusive look inside the NRA; and “Never Say Die: How the Tobacco Industry Keeps on Winning,” an investigation of the tobacco industry’s political tactics.
His extensive investigative reporting on tobacco, health care and firearms also appeared on “World News Tonight,” “Good Morning America,” and “Nightline.” Summa was a regular contributor to ABC News Radio and ABCNews.com. His exploits in the tobacco wars were chronicled in the book “Civil Warriors” by Dan Zegart and in the recent documentary by Charles Evans Jr. “Addiction Incorporated.”
Previously, he was an associate producer for ABC News investigative correspondent Brian Ross and for the newsmagazine “Day One.” Prior to his career in journalism, Summa was the Advocacy Director for the Coalition for the Homeless.
Summa is the recipient of numerous journalism awards including four Emmy® Awards, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, The George Polk Award, The Edward R. Murrow Award, and The Peabody Award.
Summa graduated from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU with a bachelor of fine arts in 1982.