In an e-mail to colleagues today, Jim Walton praised outgoing CNNI managing director Chris Cramer.
“He’s led the finest newsgathering operation in the world; recruited and mentored correspondents, producers, and presenters; developed programming; represented CNN with and to leaders around the world; and made hundreds of tough journalism calls at every hour of the day and night,” Walton wrote.
He also said the entire industry “owes Chris a huge debt” for “opening our eyes to the importance of recognizing and dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Click continued to read the full note…
Jim Walton’s note about Chris Cramer:
“Today Chris Cramer is announcing his intention to retire from CNN International, effective March 31st. After 11 years with our organization, Chris will be leaving CNNI at the top of his game, with the international business he oversees in the very enviable position of being the most-watched, most-respected and most-copied news network in the world. Chris has built strong teams at CNNI and CNN en Español and I have no doubt that the networks will continue to prosper after he departs. I will be conducting a search for his replacement and am grateful that Chris has given us plenty of time to make sure we find a strong successor.
I would have to write a book, which, thankfully for you I will not, to list Chris’ accomplishments over the years. He’s led the finest newsgathering operation in the world; recruited and mentored correspondents, producers, and presenters; developed programming; represented CNN with and to leaders around the world; and made hundreds of tough journalism calls at every hour of the day and night. Chris has also led the introduction of CNN’s Digital News Gathering, including broadband and cell phone technology which has given us a huge competitive advantage in the US and overseas in recent years. But it is Chris’s dedication to journalists’ safety and mental well-being that truly distinguishes him, both professionally and personally. Chris has been a champion and an industry leader in opening our eyes to the importance of recognizing and dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Over the years Chris has helped many people directly and worked with other news organizations to help them help their own people. He’s taught all of us to recognize the symptoms of PTSD and to feel comfortable talking about it. Our entire industry owes Chris a huge debt.
Closer to home, he has our respect, appreciation and thanks for his service to and leadership of CNNI, and our sincere best wishes for continued success wherever the future takes him.”