NPR has hired A Martínez from KPCC in Pasadena, Calif., to join its team of Morning Edition hosts.
Martínez replaces David Greene, who signed off in 2020 after eight years with the newsmagazine.
Martínez will be based at NPR West in Culver City, Calif., and starts the job July 6. NPR said it will announce the date of his debut with Morning Edition in the coming weeks. Martínez will join Steve Inskeep, Noel King and Rachel Martin in hosting the newsmagazine. The show airs on 835 stations and reaches a weekly audience of 11.5 million.
“He brings a remarkable record of journalism and empathy that allows him to truly connect with audiences and stories,” said Sarah Gilbert, NPR’s VP for news programming, in a press release. “He brings intelligence, a sense of humor and a deep curiosity that will fit right in with the show’s commitment to telling distinctive stories that make a difference to our understanding of the world.”
Martínez has been host of KPCC’s Take Two, an hourlong weekday radio program, since 2012. The show has played a role in growing the station’s Latinx audience.
“Marketers and radio stations all around the country don’t know exactly what to do with this Latin-American market,” Martínez told Current’s The Pub in a 2015 interview. “They have no idea — like, ‘Well what do we do, do we put a lot of soccer on, and then are they going to like that?’ No, you put interesting things on. You put things [on] that are exciting, that people want to be a part of.”
Before joining public radio, Martínez was a sports-talk radio host in Los Angeles.
“Nine years ago, I had never listened to public radio,” Martínez said in NPR’s release. “I was about to start a new path that would change my career, and in a deeper way, my perspective on life. The time I’ve spent at KPCC proves that public radio journalism can be accessible, relatable and understandable to ANYONE, regardless of their background or educational pedigree.”
“I’m excited to bring every experience I’ve had along the way to NPR and to represent Los Angeles and California the best way I can,” he said.
NO!!!
I am a White woman, not Latinx. I listen most everyday during Covid to Take 2 because of A Martinex.
Congratulations to your move to Morning Edition. But what a loss to KPCC and to a full hour of GREATNESS!!! Who is fill your shoes? Who has what has been said of you:
“He brings a remarkable record of journalism and empathy that allows him to truly connect with audiences and stories,” said Sarah Gilbert, NPR’s VP for news programming, in a press release. “He brings intelligence, a sense of humor and a deep curiosity that will fit right in with the show’s commitment to telling distinctive stories that make a difference to our understanding of the world.”
And what you have said of great news stories:
“…… you put interesting things on. You put things [on] that are exciting, that people want to be a part of.” YES!!! Can you teach that to other hosts? It is so common sense, yet most hosts are about themselves rather than the content.
Is this why KPCC has tried out other hosts in your spot recently?
Congratulations to your national presence about to happen.
But you will not have the chance to offer an entire hour daily any longer.
Please excuse me if I am saddened by this change – unless you can help KPCC hire a person with your natural – down to earth – curiosity – and love of stories. Jen White is the ONLY one who approaches these qualities. However, a local host for LA is best.
BTW – You told your stories for the ears of everyone. That is also your magic.
Typos and thoughts revised:
NO!!!
I am a White woman, not Latinx. I have listened most every day since Covid to Take 2 because of A Martinez!
A, Congratulations to your move to Morning Edition!
But what a loss to KPCC and to a full hour of GREATNESS!!!
And keep in mind that you will not have the chance to offer an entire hour daily any longer.
Who can fill your shoes? Who has what has been said of you:
“He brings a remarkable record of journalism and empathy that allows him to truly connect with audiences and stories,” said Sarah Gilbert, NPR’s VP for news programming, in a press release. “He brings intelligence, a sense of humor and a deep curiosity that will fit right in with the show’s commitment to telling distinctive stories that make a difference to our understanding of the world.”
And what you have said of great news stories:
“…… you put interesting things on. You put things [on] that are exciting, that people want to be a part of.”
YES!!! Can you teach that to other hosts? It is so common sense, yet most hosts are about themselves rather than the content. Several times I have left a phone message for you saying that I have turned off the radio when a self-centered host was substituted in your spot.
Is your “promotion” why KPCC has tried out other hosts in your hour recently?
Congratulations to your national presence that is about to happen.
Though please excuse me if I am saddened by this change.
– unless you can help KPCC hire a person with your natural – down to earth – curiosity – and love of real journalism. Jen White is the ONLY one who approaches these qualities at KPCC for such a show. However, a local host for LA is best. You and Terry Gross have been my constant go to hosts.
BTW – You told your stories for the ears of everyone. That is also your magic.
That’s not a picture of A. Martinez.
Congratulations to A Martinez on his new.gig and KPCC for teaching him so expertly in the way of public radio. Looking forward to his contributions on Morning Edition and to the new exciting and innovative program KPCC will create next for us.