CNN International Bolsters Senior Editorial Lineup with Key Executive Changes
CNN International is making a number of key changes designed to strengthen its international management and sharpen its focus across newsgathering and editorial content across TV and digital, it was announced today by Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Editor of CNN International.
“These changes tighten our senior management structure, but more importantly they bring the strengths of these exceptional editorial operators to bear on the key parts of the CNN International network,” said Maddox. “This new structure will help us to continue delivering the outstanding editorial output across all platforms that has seen us serve audiences worldwide with award-winning newsgathering and programming.”
Deborah Rayner will move from her role heading up EMEA newsgathering in London to take on the new role of Senior Vice President of International Newsgathering, TV and Digital. Based in Atlanta, the new role will see Rayner broadening her brief across CNN’s international newsgathering including the International Desk, all international correspondents and international digital editorial content on CNN.com. Reporting into Maddox, she will also work closely with CNN.com Managing Editor Meredith Artley and the CNN/US editorial team.
Ellana Lee becomes Senior Vice President and Managing Editor of CNN International, adding international oversight of the network’s expansive roster of feature programs while continuing to manage CNN’s editorial operation across Asia Pacific. Working in close partnership with colleagues at Turner International, Lee will also be charged with developing CNN International’s business operations worldwide. She will continue to report to Maddox.
Mike McCarthy expands his role to become Senior Vice President and General Manager of CNN International. In addition to overseeing all programming at CNNI from the network’s headquarters in Atlanta, McCarthy will take the lead on compliance and regulatory issues, deputizing for Maddox when necessary.
Tommy Evans is promoted to Vice President and London Bureau Chief. In this role, he will oversee all newsgathering for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and will continue to report into Rayner.
Maddox also announced the following promotions for CNNI staff across London, Atlanta and New York: Gill Penlington is named Director of London Programming; Ryan Cooper becomes Director of Atlanta Programming; and Penny Manis is promoted to Director of Business Programming based in New York. All three of these positions will report to Meara Erdozain, Vice President of Programming for CNN lnternational.
These appointments come after a string of recent awards and accolades for the network including the Royal Television Society’s ‘News Channel of the Year’ for the second straight year and the ‘Cable & Satellite Channel of the Year’ at 2013 Asian Television Awards. In addition, CNNI is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America.
About CNN International
CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in five different languages across all major TV, internet and mobile platforms reaching more than 380 million households around the globe. CNN International, awarded “News Channel of the Year” by the Royal Television Society in 2013 and 2014, is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America. The CNN digital network is consistently one of the top news and current affairs destination on the web. CNN has 42 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company.