May 16th, 2011

CNN Takes a Critical Look at the U.S. Job Crisis with In-Depth Series, “America’s Job Hunt”

The week-long, cross-platform series, in collaboration with TIME and CNNMoney, begins Monday, May 16

CNN kicks off its weekly “In-Depth” series Monday, May 16 with special cross-platform programming targeting the No.1 concern for many Americans—Jobs. “America’s Job Hunt” is a week-long effort investigating the state of the employment climate, said to be the worst since the Great Depression.

Featuring the unparalleled newsgathering of CNN, TIME and CNNMoney, “America’s Job Hunt” offers comprehensive analysis and reporting on where the jobs are in America and tips on how Americans can get employed—and stay that way.

Programming begins on Monday with CNN’s American Morning, hosted by Ali Velshi, Christine Romans and Kiran Chetry. It then continues on CNN Newsroom, hosted by Suzanne Malveaux and Brooke Baldwin. Further investigative pieces, interactive data, and online video will appear on TIME.com and CNNMoney.com/jobs.

“For all the momentous world events of recent months, the number one concern of most Americans remains getting or keeping a job.” says Mark Whitaker, executive vice president and managing editor for CNN Worldwide. “‘America’s Job Hunt’ will examine the human and economic toll of the most prolonged unemployment crisis of recent times, debate its causes, but also highlight industries and regions where the hiring picture is beginning to brighten. This is the latest in CNN’s new weekly “In-Depth” series across all our television and digital platforms, and we are particularly excited this week to be partnering with TIME in examining this crucial and complicated issue.”

Highlights of “America’s Job Hunt”  include:

CNNMoney.com/jobs and TIME.com Reports

  • Monday:  “Where the Jobs Are” – TIME’s Stephen Gandel documents the unexpected U.S. manufacturing boom and a TIME.com video profiles the challenges of vets re-entering the job market. CNNMoney video outlines Volkswagen’s $1 billion auto plant in Tennessee and another recounts the rise and decline of Braddock, PA. Furthermore, CNNMoney produces two exclusive surveys: one on Labor Department statistics to see which sectors are growing (healthcare, government) and a first ever CEO survey by The Buzz columnist Paul R. La Monica.
  • Tuesday: “Un(der)Employed in America” – TIME’s Rana Foroohar writes on the state of the “Mancession,” while CNNMoney reports on how race and education affect employment, the kinds of part-time jobs people take to make ends meet and offers a look at the “lost generation,” young graduates, hit hardest by the job crisis.
  • Wednesday: “The New Job Search” – TIME’s Sean Gregory reports on the new rules for job interviews and CNNMoney reports where your resume goes after you hit “send.”
  • Thursday: CNNMoney reports on the possibility that Detroit has hired more technology hires than Silicon Valley.

American Morning, 6 – 9 a.m. ET, Monday – Friday: 

  • Monday: CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry reports on what more the White House can do to support job growth, CNNMoney.com anchor Poppy Harlow reports on the state of the auto industry and CNN all platform journalists John Couwels and Jim Spellman interview two job hunters attempting to re-enter the market after serving as a Navy medic and non-profit executive. Meanwhile CNN’s education contributor Steve Perry, Ph.D talks about the state of America’s vocational training.
  • Tuesday: Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) talks about his special Legislative session on job creation and the status of his efforts to combat unemployment, following his state’s much publicized dispute on the collective bargaining rights of labor unions.
  • Wednesday: Christine Romans profiles Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” about his mission to promote skilled labor in America.
  • Thursday: Christine Romans uncovers the challenges facing women entrepreneurs to keep up with their male counterparts, which includes a feature on “Count Me In” grant-winning company Healthbarn. Also, Rana Foroohar will discuss TIME’s coverage on jobs.
  • Friday: In a segment called “Who’s Hiring?,” Ali Velshi delves into the phenomenon of U.S. manufacturing companies, long known for layoffs and shipping jobs overseas, having available jobs, but nobody to fill them.

CNN Newsroom, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday

  • CNN anchor Suzanne Malveaux identifies the “Sheconomy,” where more women are having an impact on hiring, firing and the economy.
  • CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin takes a look at the job landscape for “The New Graduate.”
  • CNN correspondent Allen Chernoff reports on Millennials in the workplace and whether these high performers are as high maintenance as they are reputed to be.
  • Other stories this week will include a breakdown of executive salaries and a profile of Nat Turner, who at 24, sold his start up to Google for $100 million.

In the Arena, 8 – 9 p.m. ET, Wednesday May 18

  • CNN host Eliot Spitzer sits down with CNN host and TIME editor-at-large and columnist Fareed Zakaria to discuss job creation.

Your Money, 1- 2 p.m. ET, Saturday May 21; 3 – 4 p.m. ET, Sunday May 2

  • Ali Velshi will look at who’s hiring & where. Viewers will learn about the hottest jobs & employers in different regions across the U.S.

Your Bottom Line, 9:30 – 10 a.m. ET, Saturday May 21

  • Christine Romans examines just how aggressive one should be when going after a job with advice on how to push it, without blowing a chance at the job.

 “America’s Job Hunt” is part of CNN’s weekly “In-Depth” series that focus on the most pressing themes of our time with comprehensive and robust reporting across the entire network and CNN.com. These reports examine what is relevant and important to the American people, providing more discussion and analysis beyond the day’s headlines.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively-syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

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CONTACT:

Christa Robinson                 New York                               212.275.7995                         christa.robinson@turner.com

Van Scott                               New York                               212.275.8392                        van.scott@turner.com