It’s not often (okay, never) that I post a tip, and it’s answered by the media relations department in a matter of hours. Well, it just happened…
SVP of public relations for CNN Worldwide Christa Robinson tells TVNewser Barbara Levin is leaving NBC News and joining CNN as VP of media relations. Robinson tells me “the newly-created senior position will help support CNN’s PR operations.”
Levin is a 10-year veteran of NBC News. She is the chief spokesperson for NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and Meet the Press with Tim Russert.
Click continued to read the memo…
TO: CNN PR
FR: Christa Robinson
As you know, I’ve been looking to add a VP to our team to oversee media relations efforts on behalf of CNN. After an extensive search during which we interviewed some amazing candidates, I’m pleased to announce that Barbara Levin, one of the best communications professionals in the business, will soon be joining us as Vice President of Media Relations. Barbara has served as the lead press representative for NBC Nightly News and Meet the Press, and for NBC News’ elections and specials coverage for the last 10 years. During that time, she played a key role in the seamless transition from Tom Brokaw to Brian Williams.
Barbara has the ideal background for CNN PR. She has years of experience managing publicity around major news events, high-profile talent and significant crisis situations. There is no one more knowledgeable, more seasoned or more passionate about our business than Barbara, and all of us will benefit immensely from the expertise she will bring to this department.
Before joining NBC News, Barbara had her own public affairs and events company, where she handled numerous major corporate, non-profit and political events. With the presidential election season in full swing, we are so fortunate to have someone who can hit the ground running on all the most pressing initiatives before us.
Barbara will be based in New York and will oversee all of our talent and programming publicity efforts. To that end, she will be working closely with many of you and is very eager to be a true partner in helping every show achieve its best results. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and will be joining us informally in the coming weeks before her first official day on December 3.