Dec. 31, 2012, marked the last day that Lisa Mullins, longtime host of PRI’s The World, held that position. On Jan. 1, reporter and substitute host Marco Werman took over hosting full time, a promotion that PRI announced Dec. 7. Werman, formerly a senior producer for the show, joined The World in 1995 and began stepping in as a host three years ago.
Julia Yager, PRI’s v.p. of brand management and marketing strategy, said the show’s producers made the change because Werman “best embodies the direction of the program” as it aims to expand further on digital multimedia platforms. In addition to co-hosting and reporting for The World, Werman has also reported for public TV’s Sound Tracks and Frontline, and he’s an active tweeter.
Since WGBH, a co-producer of The World, acquired PRI in August 2012, the Boston station and its new partner have been discussing ways to bring together their work on TV, radio and digital platforms, Yager said.
PRI and WGBH are also researching the opinions of listeners and program directors about The World. They expect to share more about the future direction of the weekday newsmagazine after reviewing the completed research later this month, Yager said.
Mullins had hosted The World since 1998.