PRX promoted two executives to new roles focused on podcasts.
Julie Shapiro will become VP of editorial for PRX and Radiotopia, PRX’s podcast network. Shapiro will “continue to steer the creative direction and growth of Radiotopia” and will also “help to shepherd large-scale content partnerships throughout PRX,” according to a press release. She will also continue as EP of the podcast Ear Hustle, created in 2017.
Shapiro was named EP of Radiotopia in 2015. Before PRX, she was artistic director of the Third Coast International Audio Festival and also worked as EP at ABC Radio National in Australia.
Audrey Mardavich was named senior director of content for Radiotopia. Mardavich has held multiple roles at Radiotopia and PRX since 2011, including director of special projects and network director. She also helped open the PRX Podcast Garage in Boston in 2016.
Shapiro and Mardavich will report to Jason Saldanha, chief of business development and content.
“As the podcast industry accelerates, Julie will now bring her incredible experience, creativity, and creator-conscious mindset to podcasts and strategic partnerships across PRX’s growing portfolio, and will continue to guide Radiotopia as the network evolves,” Saldanha said in a news release. “In addition, since the network’s inception, Audrey’s dedication to Radiotopia’s mission, content, and creators have been without comparison. We’re excited to drive a path forward in audio together that champions independent creators and their work.”
Shapiro and Mardavich will continue as EPs of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed for limited series from independent producers.
Art Ellis was promoted to SVP and chief marketing officer for WHYY in Philadelphia.
Ellis joined the station in 1987 as a publicist and later became executive director for communications and brand management. He has been VP of communications and member relations since 2014.
“Art will be expected to find new ways to leverage our marketing and awareness investments along with further increasing the productivity of our membership tactics and management systems,” WHYY CEO Bill Marrazzo said in a release.
Communications
Kelly Reller, a spokesperson for American Public Media, left the organization last month. Reller joined the organization as a media relations specialist in 2017 and was promoted to communications manager in 2019.
Content
Lora Black, an announcer for Nebraska Public Media, will retire. Black joined the station in 1991 and has hosted Afternoon Concert and Classics by Request. “She has been a trusted companion for radio listeners in their homes, cars, offices and tractors and we’ll miss her strong, steady and calming presence on our air,” said CCO Nancy Finken in a news release.
Randy Roguski became senior news editor for WJCT Public Media in Jacksonville, Fla. Roguski previously worked as metro editor for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He has also held several editor positions for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.
Bobby Gerberick was hired as an associate producer for All Sides with Ann Fisher, produced by WOSU Public Media in Columbus, Ohio. Gerberick, who graduated from The Ohio State University in 2020, most recently worked as an intern for All Sides. “Since I began working on All Sides as an intern two years ago, I have gotten to help cover the 2020 election and the pandemic. I am nervously excited to see what comes next!” Gerberick said in a news release.
Bryce Dix was named host of Morning Edition for KUNM in Albuquerque, N.M. Dix succeeds Nash Jones, who will host All Things Considered. Dix most recently worked as interim news director for KSFR in Santa Fe, N.M., and has also been a podcast/production fellow for New Mexico PBS. He first worked for KUNM in 2018 as a Weekend Edition host and reporter.
Melissa Greene became a morning host and producer at KBAQ in Phoenix. She succeeds Sterling Beeaff, who retired in August. Greene most recently worked as a classical music host and producer for American Public Media and was also a music director and host for KVNO in Omaha, Neb.
Governance
Goli Sheikholeslami and Carlos Barrionuevo were appointed to the board of directors for the Contributor Development Partnership, a fundraising organization affiliated with GBH in Boston. Sheikholeslami is CEO of New York Public Radio, and Barrionuevo is a director at Public Media Co. “Their deep experience both within and outside of public media will be key as we seek to expand our impact and better serve local public media stations and their public service missions,” said CDP President Michal Heiplik in a news release.
Fellowships
Emily Siner and Leila Kheiry are among the 31 women participating in the third and final class of the Poynter Institute’s seventh annual Leadership Academy for Women in Media. Siner is news director for Nashville Public Radio. Kheiry is GM of KRBD in Ketchikan, Alaska. Participants gather for virtual sessions in November. Poynter SVP Kelly McBride, also public editor for NPR, will lead a session on newsroom ethics.
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