Stephanie Kuo was appointed VP of content for PRX.
Kuo joined PRX in 2018 as a project manager for Project Catapult, the company’s podcast accelerator. She has also been senior manager of training and director of training/content development.
“I’ve had the privilege of growing at PRX as the organization evolves and expands to meet the dynamic content world we live in today,” Kuo said in a news release. “It’s been my dream to be in a position to help instill lasting impact and innovation in public media and audio, and I’m honored to now help fortify lasting partnerships and to deliver compelling content fueled by the creativity our production partners are known for.”
Wade Lee was promoted to assistant GM for strategy, engagement and development at KUT and KUTX Public Media in Austin, Texas.
Lee joined KUT and KUTX Public Media in 2014 as assistant director of development for leadership gifts and was promoted to director of development in 2020.
“Wade will use data — coupled with an audience focus — to help manage strategic and operational improvements to align our public service with the needs of Central Texas,” said GM Debbie Hiott in a news release. “I look forward to working more closely with him to execute our strategic priorities and deepen cross-departmental collaboration in service to our community.”
Management
Eleanor Hong was appointed managing director of digital content and operations for Maryland Public Television. Hong most recently worked as director of audience development and engagement for World at GBH in Boston, a position she started in 2020. She has also held audience development and content roles for ESPN, ABC News, AOL and the Washington Post.
Content
Obed Manuel joined NPR’s Morning Edition and Up First as a digital editor. Manuel most recently worked as an editor for Denverite, the online news site owned by Colorado Public Radio. Manuel joined Colorado Public Radio in 2021 as audience editor. “I’m super excited to take this challenge on during an election year,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Tyler Pratt became an assistant managing editor for the Gulf States Newsroom, the CPB-supported collaboration among Mississippi Public Broadcasting; WWNO in New Orleans; WRKF in Baton Rouge, La; and WBHM in Birmingham, Ala. Pratt most recently worked as news director for KHOL, a community radio station in Jackson, Wyo. He has also worked for WNYC in New York and KUT in Austin, Texas. “Tyler has worked in a number of roles in public media all [over] the country,” said Priska Neeley, Gulf States Newsroom managing editor, on LinkedIn. “For years [he] has dreamed of returning to the South to help reporters cover important issues, so he’s pretty much ecstatic to join.”
Matt Pinfield joined The SoCal Sound in Los Angeles as an afternoon drive host. Pinfield takes an open position left by Andy Chanley earlier this year. Pinfield, who has been a host for several commercial stations and MTV, also worked as VP of A&R at Columbia Records. “When we unexpectedly had the afternoon drive slot open up, we were so happy to have someone of Matt Pinfield’s stature available to step in,” said SoCal Sound GM Patrick Osburn. “We believe that someone with Matt’s level of notoriety in the industry will help us continue to grow and foster the national recognition we have enjoyed the last few years. With the addition of Matt to our roster, The SoCal Sound truly has a deep bench of talented DJs.”
Fred Barrett announced on LinkedIn that he was promoted to senior producer of digital content for PBS Western Reserve in Kent, Ohio. Barrett joined the station in 2020 as emerging media and learning development manager. He was a video journalist for the Associated Press, a multimedia graphic designer for the Akron Beacon Journal and a marketing coordinator for Knight Ridder.
Laura Grant became a midday host for WEXT, a rock music station operated by WMHT Public Media in Troy, N.Y. Grant most recently worked as a producer and voiceover specialist for the Creative Voice Development Group in Albany, N.Y. She has also been host of the New York State Office of General Services’ Classic Film series since 2018 and has experience performing as a ballet dancer. “We’re thrilled to discover a music lover who enjoys exploring and sharing the stories behind the music, and we’ve found that with Laura Grant,” said Chris Wienk, afternoon host and program director at WEXT and VP of radio at WMHT Public Media, in a news release. “As a local native who knows our community, enjoys all types of music, and delights in performing, Laura’s show will be a must-listen for our audience.”
Darian Benson is leaving her position as a reporter for Side Effects Public Media, a Midwest health reporting collaboration based at WFYI in Indianapolis, to become a reporter for Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsite. Benson first joined WFYI in 2019 as a news intern and has also been a city reporter and All Things Considered newscaster. “I’m stoked to cover the community that raised me for a publication focused on local journalism that truly reflects the community and their needs,” she wrote on X. “Thank you to the WFYI news team for the summer internship that turned into a public radio career. I wouldn’t be the journalist I am today without the amazing editors and reporters on the news team.”
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