Bobby Carter was appointed host and series producer for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.
Carter joined NPR as an intern in 2000 and later worked as a digital media engineer. Following the launch of NPR Music in 2007, Carter began writing end-of-year music roundups and producing Tiny Desk Concerts. He became a full-time producer for NPR Music in 2018. He has also been a judge for the Tiny Desk Contest.
“Tiny Desk is about the passion for music. If you see a massive pop star at the Desk, it’s because I or someone on the team is passionate about them,” Carter said in a news release. “Each day, my team adds to a rich history and I’m so proud of what we’ve built over the past fifteen years. This work is undeniably personal to me and it’s my esteemed honor to represent NPR, the Tiny Desk, and more importantly, the culture that informs so much of what we do at NPR Music.”
Keith Jenkins, VP for visual and music strategy, said Carter’s “long-time love of music as a cultural bridge has helped him transform an already transformational series, Tiny Desk Concerts, into one with NPR’s youngest and most diverse audience.”
NPR named Jack Corbett visual host of Planet Money’s TikTok account.
Corbett, who is considered public radio’s first star on the platform, joined NPR as a Tiny Desk intern in 2019. He most recently worked as a video producer for Planet Money.
“Since my first day as an intern, I was rattling off weird ideas, pipedreams, strange pitches—I didn’t really expect anyone to take them seriously…I was blindsided by the generosity. Not only were these ideas taken seriously, but they were encouraged and pushed along,” he said in a news release. “The people here at NPR have helped me make those weird ideas into real videos at every turn. I am so appreciative of everyone who has lent their expertise. It’s no miracle that good work and innovation come from this environment. I’m grateful to be a small part of it.”
Mississippi Public Broadcasting promoted two of its employees to director positions.
Taiwo Gaynor stepped up to director of television. He succeeds John Gibson, who joined the state network in 2015 and now works as EP at large.
Gaynor joined MPB in 2008 as senior audio technician in the television department. He has since been director of audio, director of post production and associate director of television.
During his tenure, Gaynor has produced the nationally distributed documentaries Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up and 1964: The Fight for a Right. He also produces Ed Said, a children’s series that promotes healthy eating.
Java Chatman was promoted to director of radio. He succeeds Jason Klein, who stepped down from the role last year and later returned as an account manager for the MPB Foundation.
Chatman began his media career in 2002 as a student at Jackson State University’s WJSU. He later co-created Third Coast Radio, a statewide program at MPB that highlights indie music and artists. Chatman was also an EP for MPB.
“MPB is home to many talented, wonderful people,” said MPB Executive Director Royal Aills in a news release. “Their leadership will help propel MPB to a whole new level of creativity and new ideas.”
WQED in Pittsburgh hired Jim Britt as head of partnership solutions.
Britt most recently worked as VP of fan development and growth for the Pittsburgh Penguins National Hockey League team. He was also executive director of the team’s foundation and held other positions for the Penguins, including video coordinator, director of team operations and director of special projects.
Despite growing up a Philadelphia Flyers fan, Britt said in a news release that he’s “forever a Penguin.” He spent 20 years working with the Pittsburgh franchise, starting his tenure with its Wilkes-Barre/Scranton minor league club.
“Since I was a kid, I dreamed of being part of a team that won the Stanley Cup,” he said. “After two championship seasons, my ambitions turned outward to the community and this remarkable region we call home.”
Management
Fred Rogers Productions appointed Katie Huber senior director of licensing. Huber previously worked as director of retail and ancillary revenue at Palace Entertainment, a company that operates water and theme parks. Her position was eliminated last year due to cost reductions. She has also been senior manager of global merchandising for Disney and held several merchandising positions at Gap Inc.
Content
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán became an immigration correspondent for NPR. Martínez-Beltrán most recently worked as the capitol reporter for the Texas Newsroom, a collaboration led by NPR and public radio stations in the state. He has also been a capitol reporter for the Center for Michigan and was a political reporter for Nashville Public Radio.
Paris Schutz, co-host of Chicago Tonight and host of Week in Review for WTTW, announced that he’s leaving the station. “Nearly 20 years ago, I walked into WTTW as a college intern and instantly fell in love with Chicago Tonight, a program unlike any other. My run here almost feels like a dream, to go from intern to producer to reporter to anchor in my hometown for a station that has been part of my life since the day I was born,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that he’s stepping down April 12 “to pursue an exciting new adventure.” Schutz also wrote on X that he “won’t be going far” and told Axios that he will continue to work in journalism, though he did not disclose where he will work next.
Zach McCormick was promoted to midday host for The Current in St. Paul, Minn. He takes the position that was left vacant by Jade Tittle, who resigned last year. McCormick joined the station last year as overnight and fill-in host. Before that he worked for Christian music station KGZO, now KNOF, as editorial producer, editor-in-chief, DJ and evening host.
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