Kim Godwin hoped to build ABC News’ future by cutting out some of its past.
Tasked, ostensibly, with shaking up a culture of the Disney-backed news organization that pit anchors against one another and led to claims of intolerable behavior behind the scenes, Godwin was supposed to revamp a storied journalism hub without losing any of the impetus that spurred employees to make shows such as “World News Tonight” and “Good Morning America” the most-watched in their category.
But the ABC News president, who was still working Monday after sending out a letter Sunday announcing her retirement following a shaky three-year reign, lost the support of much of the news operation by installing an array of senior executives who proved difficult to work with, while ousting veterans who had the respect of their colleagues. She also moved slowly, often taking weeks to make important decisions about programming and personnel, according...
Tasked, ostensibly, with shaking up a culture of the Disney-backed news organization that pit anchors against one another and led to claims of intolerable behavior behind the scenes, Godwin was supposed to revamp a storied journalism hub without losing any of the impetus that spurred employees to make shows such as “World News Tonight” and “Good Morning America” the most-watched in their category.
But the ABC News president, who was still working Monday after sending out a letter Sunday announcing her retirement following a shaky three-year reign, lost the support of much of the news operation by installing an array of senior executives who proved difficult to work with, while ousting veterans who had the respect of their colleagues. She also moved slowly, often taking weeks to make important decisions about programming and personnel, according...
- 5/6/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Updated, with additional details: After weeks of speculation, Kim Godwin is leaving her post as president of ABC News.
Debra OConnell, who added ABC News to her portfolio in February, will run the department in the interim. She made the announcement internally, with Godwin also addressing her staff. You can read the memos below.
At the time of OConnell’s February promotion when ABC News was put under her purview, Disney countered speculation about Godwin’s future by revealing that she had extended her contract to continue as ABC News president. But she was now reporting to OConnell, adding an additional layer between her and Dana Walden, the co-chairman of Disney Entertainment.
The exit follows CNN reports last week about frustration among ABC News staffers about Godwin’s management style that had been reportedly articulated to OConnell in her review of the division and its leadership.
Godwin joined ABC News...
Debra OConnell, who added ABC News to her portfolio in February, will run the department in the interim. She made the announcement internally, with Godwin also addressing her staff. You can read the memos below.
At the time of OConnell’s February promotion when ABC News was put under her purview, Disney countered speculation about Godwin’s future by revealing that she had extended her contract to continue as ABC News president. But she was now reporting to OConnell, adding an additional layer between her and Dana Walden, the co-chairman of Disney Entertainment.
The exit follows CNN reports last week about frustration among ABC News staffers about Godwin’s management style that had been reportedly articulated to OConnell in her review of the division and its leadership.
Godwin joined ABC News...
- 5/6/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva and Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Jonathan Greenberger is departing ABC News, where he has been Washington, D.C. bureau chief, for a new job as executive vice president of Politico.
Greenberger will start in his new position on April 22.
Debra OConnell, president of news group and networks for Disney Entertainment, and Kim Godwin, president of ABC News, announced his departure in a note to staffers, as did Greenberger.
“Though it brings me incredible joy to call each of you my colleagues and friends, I have made the decision to step away from ABC News later this month,” Greenberger wrote in a memo to staffers. “The time is right for me to transition to a new professional challenge. Handing off the reins now, with plenty of time before the election, enables Debra, Kim and their team to begin planning immediately for the next chapter of this great Bureau.”
Greenberger served as bureau chief since 2014. Before that,...
Greenberger will start in his new position on April 22.
Debra OConnell, president of news group and networks for Disney Entertainment, and Kim Godwin, president of ABC News, announced his departure in a note to staffers, as did Greenberger.
“Though it brings me incredible joy to call each of you my colleagues and friends, I have made the decision to step away from ABC News later this month,” Greenberger wrote in a memo to staffers. “The time is right for me to transition to a new professional challenge. Handing off the reins now, with plenty of time before the election, enables Debra, Kim and their team to begin planning immediately for the next chapter of this great Bureau.”
Greenberger served as bureau chief since 2014. Before that,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC News unveiled its lineup of embed reporters and producers covering the 2024 presidential campaign, while the news division also announced leadership promotions in three bureaus.
Bonnie Mclean has been named director, Los Angeles bureau chief; Dimitrije Stejic will be director, London bureau and Andrea Owen will be executive director, deputy Washington, D.C. bureau chief.
The class of embeds includes Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, a New York based producer with ABC News Live with Linsey Davis; Libby Cathey, multimedia reporter for ABCNews.com; Abby Cruz, producer/reporter for ABC News’ race and culture unit; Hannah Demissie, a digital journalist in the political unit; Fritz Farrow, who worked most recently as a broadcast associate with CBS Evening News and specialist with the political unit; Lalee Ibssa, digital journalist with ABC News’ Pennsylvania Avenue team; Nicholas Kerr, digital news associate for ABC News’ western bureaus; Soorin Kim, investigative data reporter; Will McDuffie, digital news...
Bonnie Mclean has been named director, Los Angeles bureau chief; Dimitrije Stejic will be director, London bureau and Andrea Owen will be executive director, deputy Washington, D.C. bureau chief.
The class of embeds includes Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, a New York based producer with ABC News Live with Linsey Davis; Libby Cathey, multimedia reporter for ABCNews.com; Abby Cruz, producer/reporter for ABC News’ race and culture unit; Hannah Demissie, a digital journalist in the political unit; Fritz Farrow, who worked most recently as a broadcast associate with CBS Evening News and specialist with the political unit; Lalee Ibssa, digital journalist with ABC News’ Pennsylvania Avenue team; Nicholas Kerr, digital news associate for ABC News’ western bureaus; Soorin Kim, investigative data reporter; Will McDuffie, digital news...
- 6/5/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC News has found a new leader for its Sunday public affairs show This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
The network has hired Brooke Brower to serve as executive producer of the program, reporting to ABC News president Kim Godwin, who announced the hire in a memo Wednesday morning.
In addition, Godwin announced that Kendall Heath has been promoted to executive producer of politics. Heath had been serving as the interim EP of This Week since December following the sudden death of its top producer Dax Tejera at age 37.
Brower was most recently with CNN, where he was the managing editor for CNN Politics. Before joining CNN in 2016 he spent more than a decade at MSNBC, serving as the EP of its Meet the Press spinoff Mtp Daily, and The Daily Rundown.
An ABC News veteran, Heath began her career with the network at Good Morning America, eventually rising to senior...
The network has hired Brooke Brower to serve as executive producer of the program, reporting to ABC News president Kim Godwin, who announced the hire in a memo Wednesday morning.
In addition, Godwin announced that Kendall Heath has been promoted to executive producer of politics. Heath had been serving as the interim EP of This Week since December following the sudden death of its top producer Dax Tejera at age 37.
Brower was most recently with CNN, where he was the managing editor for CNN Politics. Before joining CNN in 2016 he spent more than a decade at MSNBC, serving as the EP of its Meet the Press spinoff Mtp Daily, and The Daily Rundown.
An ABC News veteran, Heath began her career with the network at Good Morning America, eventually rising to senior...
- 5/31/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brooke Brower, a veteran of CNN and MSNBC, will take the reins of ABC News’ “This Week With George Stephanopoulos” as its new executive producer, filling in a gap left by the tragic demise of the show’s previous leader.
Brower, who had been managing editor of CNN Politics, will report to Kim Godwin, president of ABC News. Kendall Heath, who had been working as the show’s interim executive producer, was named executive producer of politics, reporting into Stacia Deshishku, ABC News’ executive editor, and will work with political director Rick Klein during the election season.
“As the 2024 election season gets underway, I look forward to Brooke and Kendall working closely with the talented teams at ‘This Week’ and all our great reporters and producers in the Washington bureau, led by Jonathan Greenberger, and the political unit under the leadership of Rick Klein and Averi Harper, to bring straightforward...
Brower, who had been managing editor of CNN Politics, will report to Kim Godwin, president of ABC News. Kendall Heath, who had been working as the show’s interim executive producer, was named executive producer of politics, reporting into Stacia Deshishku, ABC News’ executive editor, and will work with political director Rick Klein during the election season.
“As the 2024 election season gets underway, I look forward to Brooke and Kendall working closely with the talented teams at ‘This Week’ and all our great reporters and producers in the Washington bureau, led by Jonathan Greenberger, and the political unit under the leadership of Rick Klein and Averi Harper, to bring straightforward...
- 5/31/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Disney layoffs have hit ABC News, with the unit expected to lose around 50 staffers total throughout the entire process, an individual with knowledge told TheWrap.
Those laid off include senior vice president of talent strategy and development Galen Gordon, senior vice president of newsgathering Wendy Fisher, vice president of talent strategy and development Mary Noonan, and VP of corporate communications Alison Rudnick as well as ABC News L.A. bureau chief David Herndon, senior executive producer Chris Vlasto and executive editorial producer Heather Riley.
ABC News president Kim Godwin said in a memo obtained by TheWrap that, “While these actions are never easy, they are a necessary step to ensure we’re on solid footing for the years ahead as we chart a sustainable, growth-oriented path forward for the entire organization.”
The layoffs come as Disney cuts 7,000 jobs, and executives aren’t exactly safe. On Wednesday, Marvel Entertainment CEO Ike...
Those laid off include senior vice president of talent strategy and development Galen Gordon, senior vice president of newsgathering Wendy Fisher, vice president of talent strategy and development Mary Noonan, and VP of corporate communications Alison Rudnick as well as ABC News L.A. bureau chief David Herndon, senior executive producer Chris Vlasto and executive editorial producer Heather Riley.
ABC News president Kim Godwin said in a memo obtained by TheWrap that, “While these actions are never easy, they are a necessary step to ensure we’re on solid footing for the years ahead as we chart a sustainable, growth-oriented path forward for the entire organization.”
The layoffs come as Disney cuts 7,000 jobs, and executives aren’t exactly safe. On Wednesday, Marvel Entertainment CEO Ike...
- 3/30/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
ABC News underwent a round of staff reductions on Thursday, with about 50 positions impacted as part of parent Walt Disney Co.’s companywide cuts.
ABC News President Kim Godwin also announced a realignment of her leadership team, with Katie den Daas serving as vice president of newsgathering, overseeing the domestic and international teams, as well as NewsOne; Derek Medina, executive vice president, will oversee an expanded business and operations team; and Stacia Deshishku, executive editor and senior vice president of news, who will oversee the investigative and enterprise reporting units, as well as linear shows and special events.
According to a network source, among the employees who were impacted by the layoffs were Wendy Fisher, senior vice president, newsgathering; Galen Gordon, senior VP of talent strategy and development; Mary Noonan, vice president of talent strategy and development; Alison Rudnick, vice president of corporate communications, Chris Vlasto, senior executive producer and...
ABC News President Kim Godwin also announced a realignment of her leadership team, with Katie den Daas serving as vice president of newsgathering, overseeing the domestic and international teams, as well as NewsOne; Derek Medina, executive vice president, will oversee an expanded business and operations team; and Stacia Deshishku, executive editor and senior vice president of news, who will oversee the investigative and enterprise reporting units, as well as linear shows and special events.
According to a network source, among the employees who were impacted by the layoffs were Wendy Fisher, senior vice president, newsgathering; Galen Gordon, senior VP of talent strategy and development; Mary Noonan, vice president of talent strategy and development; Alison Rudnick, vice president of corporate communications, Chris Vlasto, senior executive producer and...
- 3/30/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The Disney layoffs have hit ABC News.
The broadcast news division has laid off approximately 50 people as part of the company’s planned cuts, with ABC News president Kim Godwin reorganizing her senior leadership team. Godwin announced the changes in a note to staff Thursday morning.
“Throughout the company, teams are being impacted by the downsizing that was announced several weeks ago, including our own ABC News family. While these actions are never easy, they are a necessary step to ensure we’re on solid footing for the years ahead as we chart a sustainable, growth-oriented path forward for the entire organization,” Godwin wrote. “While this is a difficult time for all of us — particularly those directly affected by these tough decisions — it’s important to remember that together, we are resilient, and will emerge from this period of transition stronger than before.”
The new structure will see Katie den Daas...
The broadcast news division has laid off approximately 50 people as part of the company’s planned cuts, with ABC News president Kim Godwin reorganizing her senior leadership team. Godwin announced the changes in a note to staff Thursday morning.
“Throughout the company, teams are being impacted by the downsizing that was announced several weeks ago, including our own ABC News family. While these actions are never easy, they are a necessary step to ensure we’re on solid footing for the years ahead as we chart a sustainable, growth-oriented path forward for the entire organization,” Godwin wrote. “While this is a difficult time for all of us — particularly those directly affected by these tough decisions — it’s important to remember that together, we are resilient, and will emerge from this period of transition stronger than before.”
The new structure will see Katie den Daas...
- 3/30/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC News in Washington D.C. laid off about a dozen employees on Wednesday, TheWrap has learned exclusively. Jonathan Greenberger, Washington Bureau chief, vice president and executive producer of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” informed his D.C. Bureau of the reduction and forthcoming restructuring via an internal memo on Wednesday, which was obtained by TheWrap. “Starting today, we launch a new approach to the way we operate, unifying the Bureau into a single team serving every platform within ABC News,” he wrote. “As part of this transformation, we will unfortunately have to redefine some jobs and say goodbye to some of our.
- 3/18/2015
- by Tony Maglio and Jordan Chariton
- The Wrap
Kate Shaw has joined ABC News as a contributor covering the Supreme Court and legal issues on Capitol Hill for the news division’s digital and on-air platforms. Shaw, Assistant Professor of Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, has an extensive background in litigation. The hire was announced by Jonathan Greenberger, Washington Bureau Chief and executive producer of This Week, in a memo to staff: Team— I’m pleased to announce that Kate Shaw is joining…...
- 2/26/2015
- Deadline TV
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