NBC News chairman Andy Lack sent a note to NBC News and MSNBC staffers today thanking them for their “endless dedication and, in many cases, genuine courage” during days of coverage of Hurricane Irma: more than 20 correspondents reporting for 14 network special reports, a 6-hour Sunday Today show, and non-stop coverage on MSNBC.
“First off, our skilled technical crews, engineers and producers in the field made miracles happen with their talent, prowess and ingenuity,” Lack writes. “They worked behind the camera, behind the wheel, inside the truck, outside in the storm – and everywhere they were asked – for days on end.”
Here’s the full note:
From: “Andrew Lack (NBCUniversal)”
Date: September 11, 2017 at 4:39:24 PM EDT
Subject: Hurricane IrmaColleagues,
Thank you for your extraordinary hard work, endless dedication and, in many cases, genuine courage, over the past several days. As Hurricane Irma approached the U.S. and made landfall, the people of NBC News and MSNBC came together over and over again to deliver best-in-class coverage under incredibly challenging conditions.
First off, our skilled technical crews, engineers and producers in the field – led by Stacy Brady and David Verdi in New York – made miracles happen with their talent, prowess and ingenuity. They worked behind the camera, behind the wheel, inside the truck, outside in the storm – and everywhere they were asked – for days on end. And it continues now as Irma heads north.
Special kudos too to our fantastic weather unit, our partners at The Weather Channel, our digital and social media groups, and the team at NBC News Specials – who produced no less than 14 network reports.
In front of the camera, we had outstanding contributions from all corners. Lester, fresh off his excellent coverage of Hurricane Harvey, led the charge along with the inimitable Al Roker, showing up on Nightly, TODAY, MSNBC and more. Millions of Americans were kept apprised of the storm’s movement and impact thanks to Dylan Dreyer, Bill Karins, Dave Price and Sam Champion, who forecasted Irma’s path.
TODAY played its vital and remarkable role, broadcasting a special six-hour edition on Sunday morning with Matt and Savannah, and giving viewers the voices they depend upon to guide them through some of the country’s most difficult moments.
MSNBC’s wall-to-wall coverage – including a total of nine intense hours anchored by Brian yesterday and thirteen hours anchored by Ali Velshi throughout the weekend – shined with reporting from our correspondents all over Florida.
Out in the storm, thanks to the support of outstanding production crews, our reporters did incredible work – Miguel Almaguer, Mariana Atencio, Catie Beck, Tom Costello, Kristen Dahlgren, Rehema Ellis, Joe Fryer, Gabe Gutierrez, Chris Hayes, Jo Ling Kent, Philip Mena, Morgan Radford, Jacob Rascon, Thomas Roberts, Maya Rodríguez, Jeff Rossen, Kerry Sanders (reporting on his 60th hurricane), Gadi Schwartz, Jacob Soboroff, and Dr. John Torres.
And on Monday morning, Kerry Sanders capped it all off by rescuing not one but two storm-battered dolphins. And we so appreciate that he was able to do it on both TODAY and MSNBC!
Thank you to everyone for your total commitment. You managed to make the impossible look almost routine.
With much respect and affection,
Andy
(Photo: Dwaine Scott/@nbcnewscrew)