Former NPR president and CEO Vivian Schiller is joining NBC News as Chief Digital Officer, reporting to NBC News president Steve Capus.
In the new position, Schiller will oversee the network’s digital extensions on the web and in mobile, for both MSNBC and NBC News. She’ll also provide direction to the network’s emerging properties EducationNation.com and theGrio.com.
“With Vivian’s help, NBC News will be recognized as the premier broadcast news organization in America, as well as the most innovative, comprehensive and trusted news operation,” said Capus in a news release.
In a note to staff, obtained by TVNewser, Capus writes, “This addition to the team will free up some time for Mark Lukasiewicz as he continues to excel in the planning and execution of NBC News specials, political debates, election coverage and big events.”
Schiller resigned from NPR in March following the release of an undercover video of NPR’s fund-raising head referring to the Tea Party “racist” and “scary.”
Before NPR, Schiller was Senior Vice President and General Manager of NYTimes.com and before that was Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Discovery Times Channel.
VIVIAN SCHILLER JOINS NBC NEWS IN NEW ROLE AS CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER
New position will oversee the digital strategy for NBC News and MSNBC
NEW YORK, NY—June 2, 2011— Vivian Schiller will be joining NBC News as Chief Digital Officer. The announcement was made today by NBC News President Steve Capus. Schiller’s role is a new position at NBC News, as the network expands its leadership team to add management of its digital platforms. She will join the news division in mid-July.
Reporting to Capus, Schiller will lead the digital strategy for both NBC News and MSNBC to ensure future growth and innovation. Her responsibilities include strategic oversight of the network’s digital extensions on the web and in mobile, interaction with the Joint Venture that oversees the msnbc.com digital network, as well as providing direction to the network’s new emerging properties such as EducationNation.com and theGrio.com.
“Bringing Vivian on board enhances this network’s mission of growth and the evolution of its digital businesses and strategy. With Vivian’s help, NBC News will be recognized as the premier broadcast news organization in America, as well as the most innovative, comprehensive and trusted news operation,” said Steve Capus. “Her background in journalism, combined with expertise in the digital space will add a strong new pillar to the NBC News leadership team.”
A media executive and journalist with 25 years experience in the industry, Schiller was most recently President and CEO of NPR, leading all of NPR’s worldwide media operations, including the organization’s partnerships with a network of more than 900 public radio stations. During her tenure, NPR received the highest honors in excellence in journalism, grew its audience by double digits, and earned recognition in the mobile and digital space.
Prior to joining NPR, Vivian Schiller served at The New York Times Company as Senior Vice President and General Manager of NYTimes.com. Schiller led the day-to-day operations of NYTimes.com, the largest newspaper website on the Internet, overseeing product, technology, marketing, classifieds, strategic planning, and business development.
Previously, Schiller spent four years as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Discovery Times Channel, a joint venture of The New York Times and Discovery Communications. Schiller launched the network, and under her leadership, Discovery Times Channel tripled its distribution while achieving critical acclaim for its award winning journalistic programming.
Schiller also served as the head of CNN Productions, where she led CNN’s long-form programming efforts. Documentaries and series produced under her auspices earned multiple honors, including three Peabody Awards, four Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Awards, and dozens of Emmys.
Schiller resides in Bethesda, MD, with her husband and two children.