CNN Press Release - Another Day: Cheating Death to debut Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 at 8pm ET & PT on CNN

In his highly anticipated second book, CHEATING DEATH, available via booksellers after October 12, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta recounts extraordinary stories of people who have survived exceptional medical emergencies – and the courageous doctors who helped save them against all odds – and oftenagainst standard protocol. A companion documentary, Another Day: Cheating Death, will debut on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 at 8pm, 11pm, and 2am, and on CNN International on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 (check local listings for airtimes). Gupta will discuss his book and documentary on Larry King Live on Thursday, October 8 at 9pm. All times Eastern.

Ten years ago, Anna Bagenholm was a 29-year-old Norwegian medical resident on a ski excursion when an accident landed her head first, in a freezing stream. In his book and documentary, Gupta recounts how Bagenholm’s core body temperature dipped to 56°F. She was clinically dead for three hours, yet doctors still managed to reviveher. Despite staggering odds, Bagenholm eventually made a full recovery. Gupta describes the “miracle” of her survival as not due to luck, but instead as the result of evidence-based calibrations and her experienced medical team, led by emergency physician Dr. Mads Gilbert.

Also among the stories Gupta tells for the documentary, is that of cardiac arrest survivor Chris Brooks, who lives largely because he is treated by an “Ice Doctor,” Gupta’s name for doctors who induce medical hypothermia to treat certain patients. Cold appears to slow metabolism enough to give doctors time to treat the underlying conditions, though a University of Chicago survey showed that fewer than 250 of the nation’s 6,000 hospitals practice “medical hypothermia.”
For the book, Gupta describes how school bus driver Mike Mertz collapsed at the wheel of his car in Glendale, Ariz. He survived because the Good Samaritan who found him, and the responding paramedics, used a new type of CPR. They administered rapid chest compressions on Mertz without pausing for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It took years of carefully collected case evidence, and a determined group of physicians, to change the CPR protocol in Arizona to de-emphasize artificial breathing. Despite statistics that show it markedly improves outcomes – Arizona remains the only state to adopt the new method, statewide.

Gupta’s book and documentary offer insights from his reporting and his professional experiences gathered over 15 years as a practicing neurosurgeon. Viewers are also encouraged to share their own stories of survival with him via Twitter @sanjayguptacnn. Gupta and others who have studied extraordinary survivors’ experiences will offer additional compelling stories of medical insights that are changing the boundary between life and death on www.cnnhealth.com. Excerpts from the book can also be found on the website. The documentary will be available via iTunes and Amazon.com after its broadcast premiere.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

On Monday night, CNN Productions received the prestigious President’s Award at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards for CNN’s “longstanding commitment to long-form documentaries.” Accepting the award (from L-R) are Mark Nelson, vice president and sr. executive producer for CNN Productions; Christiane Amanpour, chief international correspondent and anchor, 'Amanpour;’ Jon Klein, president, CNN/U.S. and Soledad O'Brien, anchor and special correspondent.

Photo credit: Marc Bryan-Brown Photography

CNN Press Release - “What’s going to happen to me in the future?” Rick Kelly, former Marine with breast cancer

SIU: Poisoned Patriots?

“What’s going to happen to me in the future?” Rick Kelly, former Marine with breast cancer

CNN’s Special Investigation Unit examines the story of an extraordinary group of men with breast cancer. Their common link besides their shared rare diagnosis? They all lived on the same Marine base. Watch their story reported by Abbie Boudreau on Campbell Brown, Thursday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. (ET).

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Press Release - ‘TALK ASIA’ features exclusive interview with two Chinese ‘Taikonauts’

As part of its coverage to mark the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, international news network CNN features an exclusive in-depth, half-hour ‘TALK ASIA’ interview with two of China’s pioneering ‘Taikonauts’ - Yang Liwei and Zhai Zhigang.

The network also reports live from Tiananmen Square on October 1, bringing the morning’s military parade, President Hu’s speech and the evening’s gala and fireworks to its viewers in more than 250 million households around the world. Beijing-based correspondents John Vause and Emily Chang also contribute special reports looking at issues including China’s challenges in the next sixty years, the growth of the country’s military power, and the threatening problem of corruption.

Online, the dedicated website section at www.cnn.com/china has a multimedia special on Chairman Mao's birthplace of Shaoshan, featuring an audio slideshow on the memories and impressions of tourists and local residents alike. CNN’s Eileen Hsieh also recounts the celebrations of the 60th anniversary in an online newscast broadcast in Mandarin which will also be available at www.cnn.com/china.

As part of the exclusive ‘Talk Asia’ interview, Yang Liwei and Zhai Zhigang give CNN a tour of the Astronauts Center of China and sit down with senior international correspondent John Vause to recall the moments they made history, before revealing what’s next for the country’s space exploration program.

One of the final stages of CNN International's long-running revamp kicked off early Monday with the unveiling of its freshly rebranded news shows, "World Business Today" and "World Report", which replaces the network's legacy programs, "CNN Today", "Your World Today" and "World News".

World Report title card.

World Report, Hong Kong

World Report, London.

World Business Today title card

World Business Today, from London and Hong Kong.

Along with a new network logo and positioning statement, the new look shows were rolled out just hours ahead of the debut of CNN International's flagship program, "Amanpour", and the launch of a new weeknight news bulletin, "World One".

** Video examples of the relaunched programs are available by clicking the pictures above.

CNN Observations has just launched a new Photo Album section! Right now we have photos from a couple of visits to the CNN Center in Atlanta, and hope to have more photos up soon! Check it out by clicking the "Photos" link at the top of this page.

[Editor's Note: FOX News released an advertisement stating that several news networks, including CNN, missed covering the 'Tea Party' story. Here is CNN's response to the ad.]

CNN Press Release - CNN provided live coverage of the rally in Washington throughout the day Saturday, Sept. 12. CNN dispatched more than a dozen personnel and multiple camera crews, including the CNN Express, to cover the event. CNN’s deputy political director Paul Steinhauser was live at Freedom Plaza, CNN correspondent Kate Bolduan live from the West Front of the Capitol and roved the crowd, CNN’s Jim Spellman provided live hits all day after traveling for weeks on the actual Tea Party Express, and CNN’s Lisa Desjardins was live from the National Mall. CNN’s coverage included numerous live shots and interviews with protesters and newsmakers, including Sen. Jim DeMint who spoke at the rally and Art Gerhart, an activist, who was on the set with Don Lemon to discuss the rally.

CNN Press Release - Christiane Amanpour today announced the guest line-up for her new interview show 'AMANPOUR.’ which debuts live on CNN International around the world on Tuesday September 21/22. Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke will discuss the issues underlying the powder keg that is Afghanistan -- the war there, the growing power of the Taliban, the fraud charges surrounding the recent election, and the tough road ahead.

Amanpour talks with two key players in a pivotal political drama that affects millions of people and that is grabbing world headlines.

“The impact of the situation in Afghanistan is felt far beyond its own borders,” said Amanpour. “It is emblematic of the type of issues I plan to tackle in this show. I want to dig deep into issues that stir the global conscience. I want to provide a forum for audiences to do the same. I hope to stimulate global dialogue about issues that deserve real debate, not just on public platforms but in the global living room.”

Over the next few weeks, Amanpour will also interview a range of political leaders, cultural icons and global influencers, to offer viewers a deeper examination of the major news stories and urgent issues around the world.

Among them are South African President Jacob Zuma; Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair; Queen Rania of Jordan; Israeli Deputy PM and Minister of Justice Dan Meridor; Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat; former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Human Rights Council Report on Gaza War Richard Goldstone; and HRH Haakon and Mette-Marit, Crown Prince and Princess of Norway.

“This show is a global conversation on pressing issues of the day and how they affect people” said Amanpour. “As the show develops, we want to directly involve the audience to create a real-time global interaction that will add an exciting new facet to the power of the interview.”

CNN Press Release - On this week's TALK ASIA CNN's Anna Coren speaks with the 2009 Best Director at Cannes, Brillante Mendoza. Filmed in his Manila studio and on set, he talks about receiving the prestigious Cannes award and how his winning film "Kinatay" has struggled with censorship issues in his home country the Philippines. He also explains why he feels bringing up his adopted daughter Angelica is a greater achievement than winning at Cannes.

While veteran director like Quentin Tarantino and Sean Penn have praised his neo-realist movies, veteran film critics have often panned them. One even called "Kinatay" the worst film ever shown at Cannes. But Mendoza is unfazed and accustomed to drawing such extreme reactions: "I'm hoping somehow that I'm doing something that's...worth showing to the people. If somebody doesn't like my film...I don't really dwell on that. When they say something good about my film, thank you. They don't like it, well, thank you."

Mendoza says all of his movies are based on real-life stories from the Philippines: "I want people to know that...these things are happening in the country, in the Philippines; that this is a part of our culture...For me, this is what cinema is all about. To show what is real, to show what is true." He adds that his movies - usually heavy on the explicit sex scenes and violence "are definitely not for entertainment...they're not really for everyone."

As the first Filipino to snare the Best Director award at Cannes - edging out heavyweights such as Quentin Tarantino, Ang Lee and Pedro Almodovar - Mendoza was heralded by his countrymen and President Gloria Arroyo. But the director has mixed feelings: "I'm thankful that she gave me a commendation. She gave me an award and cash money which could really help me in paying all my debts in the post production. But I was hoping for ...a more genuine support, not only from her but from the government because it's not easy...for us especially independent filmmaker to do these kind of films and to fund our film."

Mendoza's latest movies has faced a struggle to be screened in his home country, although ultimately the government approved it without cuts or censoring: "It's very frustrating because I think nobody should tell the audience or the Filipino not to watch my kind of film...I think nobody should tell them what to watch or not." The director believes drastic action is necessary: "We have to change the law to abolish the censorship so that we'll be able to show our films freely to the Filipino audience."

The director also shares with Coren how he became a single father to his adopted 13-year-old daughter Angelica. "If there's one thing I'm proud of, I think it is being a good father...I think it's my greatest achievement...greater than Cannes."

Brillante Mendoza's interview with TALK ASIA will be available online at www.cnn.com/talkasia after the first airing.

Airtimes are subject to change.

CNN Press Release - CNN continues to deliver more newsmakers with a stellar lineup of A-list interviews, including:

Today, Sept. 17: Wolf Blitzer has an exclusive interview with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai about U.S. troop presence in the country, the accusation of fraud in the recent presidential election and other important issues. The interview airs today in The Situation Room beginning at 4 p.m. (ET).

Today, Sept. 17: Chris Lawrence has an exclusive interview with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during his visit to Iraq, addressing how ready Iraq is to take over its own security and concerns over Iran's influence in the region. The interview airs today throughout CNN’s programming.

Sunday, Sept. 20: John King’s wide-ranging interview with President Barack Obama will air during the 9 a.m. (ET) hour of State of the Union with John King.

Sunday, Sept. 20: In Fareed Zakaria’s exclusive interview with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, the Russian president laid out his problems with the U.S. missile defense shield plans. The interview airs on GPS at 1 p.m. (ET).

Monday, Sept. 21: Christiane Amanpour launches Amanpour. on CNN International with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke discussing the issues underlying the powder keg that is Afghanistan -- the war there, the growing power of the Taliban, the fraud charges surrounding the recent election, and the tough road ahead.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Press Release - Since the story of the ACORN workers caught on tape surfaced it has been part of CNN programming on the following CNN shows, on the dates listed (transcripts of each are available on our transcript page):

Lou Dobbs Tonight – 9/9
Campbell Brown – 9/10
American Morning – 9/11
CNN Newsroom – 9/11
Lou Dobbs Tonight – 9/11
Campbell Brown – 9/11
CNN Newsroom – 9/13
CNN Newsroom – 9/14
The Situation Room – 9/14
Lou Dobbs Tonight – 9/14
CNN Newsroom – 9/15
Lou Dobbs Tonight – 9/15
American Morning – 9/16
CNN Newsroom – 9/16

In addition, CNN.com has published stories on this topic, and has six video segments available to viewers. These can be found on the CNN video section on our Web site.

(Look for a video below this news story)

CNN Press Release - Overview: On September 21, 2009, CNN International (CNNI) will unveil a new tagline: “Go Beyond Borders.” This replaces “Be the First to Know,” which debuted in March 2001. We went through an extensive external and internal research process to ensure that we knew what our viewers valued in us and expected of us. Knowing that helped us arrive at “Go Beyond Borders” as an articulation of our shared values and our commitment to delivering intelligent news in a connected world.

CNNI will use this tagline not only as a marketing message, but also as a content filter; every day CNNI’s news coverage will promise to go beyond the expected. “Go Beyond Borders” helps clarify the network’s mission for all stakeholders.

Brand Positioning: CNNI is the genuine international news source, delivering intelligence for an interconnected world.

Core Brand Value/Brand Essence: Beyond boundaries, beyond convention, CNNI will “Go Beyond Borders.”

We are global in our reach, and we continue to break new ground and go beyond expectations… To go beyond borders is to demand excellence and dedication. It demonstrates that stories and people are not defined or limited by geography, and neither are we. To be beyond borders is to be Intelligent, Diverse and Authentic, and it is this that will set us apart.

Target Description / Insight: Our viewers do not define themselves by the color of their passports and “Go Beyond Borders” speaks directly to their aspirations and expectations. It also reflects our changing world as news is consumed across an increasing number of platforms.

Transparency and diversity are vitally important to our viewers; they expect their news source to challenge and question, as well as deliver truly international reporting and perspectives.

Creative Execution: “Go Beyond Borders” was developed by CNN’s global marketing and creative departments in conjunction with the Boston-based agency Tooth+Nail. The first execution of “Go Beyond Borders” was produced by the International On-air Promotions unit and will debut on air September 21 alongside new logo, graphics and music.

This promo sets out the parameters that we intend with “Go Beyond Borders,” marrying the promise squarely with the destination programming we’ve introduced over the last few months and culminating with the launch of Amanpour. It was important that the full spectrum of “borders” was introduced in this first promo so “Go Beyond Borders” did not stall in the viewers’ minds as simply a geographical promise of reporting from far flung places.

We also wanted to get across a sense of the values that CNNI shares with its viewers: enquiring and questioning, a craving for deeper context, analysis, intelligent storytelling, and also a readiness for adventure.

Executive Messaging: “CNN goes beyond borders every day, taking viewers beyond the headlines to a transparent, diverse and intelligent product that connects viewers to the world’s stories. Our viewers go beyond borders every day, seeking out intelligent newsgathering on multiple platforms and this tagline will speak directly to their aspirations.

2009 has been a defining year for CNN International, with the introduction of an ambitious new programming line-up following on from an intense expansion of our newsgathering operation as we put original content and multiple perspectives at the heart of our output.

The new tagline is the logical next step to cement our brand promise for today’s news consumers.”

Tony Maddox
EVP and Managing Director, CNN International

CNN Press Release - CNN Digital No. 1 TV News Property on the Web in August

CNN Digital Also No. 1 Web Property (Among ALL News and Information online properties) in

Total Minutes, Share of Online News, News Video and Mobile

In August, CNN Digital was the Internet’s No. 1 TV news property beating the competition in all metrics, including:

- Unique Visitors: 38 million – 1.5 million more than MSNBC Digital; 21 million over Fox News Digital; 27 million more than ABCNEWS Digital; and 27.7 million above CBS News Digital.

- Total Minutes: 1.1 billion – 377 million more than No. 2 MSNBC Digital, 651 million more than Fox News Digital, over 1 billion more than ABC News Digital and 1.1 billion more than CBS News Digital.

- Average Time Per Person: 30.1 minutes – 3% greater than Fox News Digital, 43% greater than MSNBC Digital, 221% greater than ABC News Digital and 335% greater than CBS News Digital.

CNN hosted a luncheon on Wednesday to celebrate the launch of Amanpour on CNN International and CNN Domestic. Below are some photos from the event.

Tony Maddox (Executive Vice-President and Managing Director of CNN International), Christiane Amanpour (Chief International Correspondent; Host, Amanpour), Kathy O’Hearn (EP of Amanpour), Jon Klein (President of CNN Domestic)

Gayle King (O Magazine Editor) and Ray Kelly (New York City Police Commissioner)

Bart Feder (Senior Vice-President of Current Programming, CNN Domestic) and Darius Walker (Bureau Chief - New York)

Monday will bring forth a number of changes to CNN International and it's lineup of shows. CNN Today, World News, World News Asia, and Your World Today will all become World Report. Guillermo Arduino's weekly World Report show will become World View.

European primetime programming will have two new shows added to its lineup, World One, hosted by Fionnuala Sweeney, and Amanpour hosted by Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour.

The network will also sport a new logo, which can be seen in an Amanpour promo here.

World One

'World One', hosted by Fionnuala Sweeney, is a fast-paced international news bulletin, designed to keep viewers across the day's major stories. 'World One' delivers everything you need to know about the world's biggest stories in a punchy half-hour format. The programme will showcase the network's best news reports and deliver the latest news headlines from across the globe. Every day, 'World One' will showcase a special segment that brings you closer to one part of the world and 'In Focus' will be a deeper look at an international news story. With Fionnuala's expertise and extensive knowledge of international affairs, 'World One' is designed to become appointment viewing for anyone who wants to keep on top of the news.

Amanpour

On 21st September (22nd in the Asia Pacific region), CNN International launches its centrepiece, the highly-anticipated 'Amanpour' programme. This interview programme, hosted by the internationally renowned and multi-award-winning journalist Christiane Amanpour, will aim to set the agenda for a new global conversation. Each half-hour show will focus on a single topic; often news-driven, often provocative, bringing to bear Christiane's vast journalistic experience and depth of knowledge honed from a quarter of a century reporting from around the world, alongside some of the major influencers and newsmakers of the day.

More information is forthcoming and will be posted as it becomes available.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Christiane Amanpour
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Protests

CNN Press Release - Tomorrow, Sept. 17, Wolf Blitzer will have an exclusive interview- with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai about U.S. troop presence in the country, the accusation of fraud in the recent presidential election and other important issues.
Tune into The Situation Room tomorrow from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET for this exclusive interview.

Today, Sept. 16., Sen. John Barrasso (R- WY) and Canadian Liberal Sen. Grant Mitchell debate health care. On today’s program, Blitzer also interviews RNC Chairman Michael Steele about a variety of issues, including President Jimmy Carter’s recent comment about racism and criticism of President Obama.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer is now tweeting. You can follow him @wolfblitzercnn.
His tweets will help bring you inside The Situation Room.

Photo courtesy CNN Public Relations

Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top visited Wolf Blitzer and The Situation Room on Monday evening. He tells Wolf he is a big news junkie!

Photo courtesy CNN Public Relations

CNN Pressroom - Content Licensing via Self Service Website Storefront

CNN launched a commercial self-service on-line storefront of its wire stories today, September 15, 2009, enabling journalists, publishers and media organizations to license CNN story content through a web based service at www.cnnwirestore.com. The CNN Wire Store is available globally to license and download individual CNN Wire stories for $199 per story for a single use, utilizing a simple credit card transaction. The site allows publishers to browse through CNN Wire articles, hold selected articles in a cart for review, check out easily, and download story content on demand.

In discussions with publishers and journalists about the news industry and the changing face of the marketplace, CNN earlier this year expanded the offerings of the existing CNN Wire service and made it available for subscription. And now CNN provides the new CNN Wire Store for publishers needing content for single use and on demand basis.

“CNN understands the changing business landscape of journalism and the marketplace. The expanded CNN Wire provides an opportunity for a new platform to make CNN Wire stories easily accessible, and for the first time, on a per-story basis to any publisher, anywhere on their own timetable. With the launch of the CNN Wire Store website, we’ve made our original journalism easily available to other publishers on demand,” said Susan Grant, executive vice president of CNN News Services.

CNN Newsource Sales will support the new CNN Wire Store commercial website. CNN Newsource Sales is the arm of CNN which oversees the network’s relationship with more than 800 affiliates including TV stations and local/regional cable news channels throughout North America, and is the most widely distributed syndicated news service. Senior vice president and general manager for CNN Newsource Sales Ed Stephen added, “The CNN Wire Store gives journalists the ability to utilize CNN’s enterprising reporting to expand their coverage of key issues. And because the CNN Wire is now available à la carte, they have the flexibility to pick and choose the specific stories that are right for them.”

With the CNN Wire Store website, publishers will easily license and have access to use the text that CNN uses, including among others Christiane Amanpour’s reports from around the world, medical reports from Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and investigations of the social fabric, like Black in America with Soledad O’Brien and numerous other CNN journalists. The text will include CNN’s award-winning reporting, whether consumer, politics, health, entertainment, technology and investigative, as well as the robust economic and financial reporting of CNNMoney.com, utilizing the most extensive global financial reporting in the world.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Press Release - President Barack Obama will sit down with CNN’s John King for a wide-ranging interview to air on Sunday, Sept. 20 during the 9 a.m. hour of State of the Union with John King. Chief national correspondent and anchor King last interviewed Obama just days before his Jan. 20 inauguration. The interview will air in its entirety on State of the Union with John King, which airs domestically on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is syndicated in part on CNN International.

CNN staff were monitoring law enforcement activity this morning given the 9/11 anniversary.

After hearing a U.S. Coast Guard radio transmission that a boat had breached a security zone on the Potomac River a short distance from the Pentagon where the President had just attended a 9/11 anniversary ceremony, CNN contacted the Coast Guard public affairs office at the agency's headquarters. The Coast Guard spokeswoman said she was unaware of any activity taking place on the Potomac River.

After hearing a further radio transmission about 10 rounds being expended, and after reviewing video of rapid movement by Coast Guard vessels as the President's motorcade crossed the Memorial Bridge, CNN reported the story. Simultaneously, during a second phone call, the Coast Guard spokeswoman informed us that its National Command Center and other command posts knew nothing about any activity in the area.

Given the circumstances, it would have been irresponsible not to report on what we were hearing and seeing. As with any breaking news story, information is often fluid and CNN updated the story with the official explanation from the Coast Guard as soon as it was provided.

Chief national correspondent and State of the Union anchor John King is in Portland, Maine today. He is traveling for his weekly diner segment filmed for Sunday morning's program. He sat down with locals at the Miss Portland Diner to discuss the health care debate and had a "downeast reuben" -- Maine-caught haddock with slaw and cheese. Tune in Sunday at 11am for their conversation!

CNN Press Release - Award-winning producer Jamie Kraft has been named executive producer of CNN's American Morning, the network's flagship morning program, it was announced today by Bart Feder, senior vice president for current programming, CNN/U.S.

Kraft has been the acting executive producer since May, 2009 and during that time, American Morning's audience has grown eight percent compared to a year ago. Prior to that, he served as the program's senior broadcast producer for the past year, and now will oversee all aspects of the program's production and mission as the hard-news alternative in the morning. Since Kraft joined the program in August 2008, American Morning has seen a 26% increase in audience.

As the program's senior broadcast producer, Kraft was responsible for editorial direction and was instrumental in selecting upcoming stories and overseeing long-term projects. He covered major news stories included the 2008 presidential campaign, the election and inauguration of President Barack Obama, the terrorist attacks on Mumbai, the economic and financial crisis and the death of Michael Jackson. Before joining American Morning, he was a senior producer for Anderson Cooper 360 for three years where he was responsible for overseeing all daily and future editorial content for the program, and played an integral role in propelling AC360 to the number one 10 pm program in cable news last year.

"Jamie is an extremely talented journalist, a dynamic leader and the right person to carry on CNN's tradition of offering the most hard news in morning television, said Feder. "Since Jamie joined the program, American Morning's audience continues to grow, and he will play a pivotal role in the show's future success."

Said Kraft, "I am excited and honored to be at the helm of CNN's morning program. I am so proud of John Roberts, Kiran Chetry and this entire team and what we have accomplished this past year. The show's recent success is undeniable, and the possibilities are endless."

Kraft came to CNN from CBS News where he worked for more than 13 years. He was a producer on 60 Minutes, where he worked on investigative reports and sports profiles for Steve Kroft. Prior to that, he was a producer for the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather where he produced for Rather, and produced assignments domestically and internationally. While there, he received an Emmy award for his lead story on the September 11 terrorist attacks. Kraft also produced "The American Dream," a weekly series reported by Rather, which later became a book. He opened and managed the CBS News Southeast regional bureau in Atlanta, coordinating all aspects of the region's news production. In addition, during his tenure at CBS he produced for 48 Hours and Street Stories with Ed Bradley. Awards he received while at CBS included a Gracie award, two Emmy awards and a New York Press Club award.

While a CNN, Kraft was part of the coverage teams that earned two George Foster Peabody awards for its Katrina reporting and the 2008 Presidential Campaigns and Debates, plus an Edward R. Murrow Award for the Lebanon/Israeli conflict and two Emmy awards for Anderson Cooper 360.

Kraft earned his bachelor's degree in journalism and economics from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He resides in New Jersey with his wife and four children, and coaches three of his children's soccer teams.

CNN Press Release - Follow CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley @CrowleyCNN.

She will tweet about the stories she is working on, her perspective on political events and random witty comments only Candy could tweet!

CNN Press Release - CNN has appointed Meredith Artley vice president and managing editor of CNN.com, it was announced today by KC Estenson, senior vice president and general manager of CNN.com. Artley is currently managing editor, online, at the Los Angeles Times, and will join CNN.com next month.

With more than thirteen years working as a journalist and online editor, Artley will lead CNN.com’s editorial strategy from the company’s Atlanta headquarters, reporting directly to Estenson.

“CNN is where the world goes to find out what’s happening now; and Meredith will complement an incredibly talented editorial leadership team as we continue to set the standard in multi-platform journalism,” said Estenson. “I’m confident that her innovation, vision and approach to reporting and storytelling – along with her editorial leadership – will enable us to deliver the caliber of content our users expect, while introducing CNN stories to an ever-growing new audience.”

Artley joined LATimes.com in March 2007, and was responsible for all editorial initiatives, from the vision of the site to the daily execution, as well as the site’s recently unveiled redesign. Under her leadership, the site more than doubled its traffic, becoming the fastest-growing website among the nation’s largest newspapers; and won several journalism awards.

“CNN is a global news powerhouse and the opportunity to lead the editorial effort for their site is a challenge I’m enthusiastic about taking on,” Artley said. “I’m excited to help their talented journalists, technologists and business teams to deliver news and information in fresh and dynamic ways."

Prior to joining LATimes.com, Artley served as digital development director for the International Herald Tribune’s web operation in Paris, where she led the strategy and day-to-day editorial execution. Previously, she was the associate editor at NYTimes.com, where she managed the team of producers and editors who published the site.

In 2000, Artley was part of the Pulitzer-prize winning team for the New York Times’ “Race in America” series. She is also an active member of the Online News Association.

Artley received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri.

CNN.com is the world's No. 1 destination for online and wireless news according to Nielsen, garnering the greatest audience share in total minutes and page views and the most video and mobile usage among current events and global news sites. Launched in 1995, CNN.com draws from the resources of CNN Worldwide and its many partners to provide consumers with the most enriching, immediate interaction with news anywhere, seamlessly combining articles, videos, images, interactive features and user-generated content. CNN.com’s news video offering – both live and on-demand – is unparalleled on the Web. CNN.com’s recent awards include a Peabody Award, two EPpy awards, four CableFAX Best of the Web awards, a National Headliner award, and the 2009 Edward R. Murrow award for best website.

When Katherine Green, senior Vice President of Programming for CNN International, joined the network in early 2008, she took charge of an ambitious repositioning project that eventually saw strategic changes to the network’s programming schedule planned, and implemented. Whilst some of the new programs commissioned by Green are still yet to air – notably ‘Amanpour’ and ‘W1’ – another key element of CNN International's revamp was unveiled Monday with a newly renovated London set debuting during ‘World Sport’.








In other news, the London-based program, ‘Connect The World’ with Becky Anderson, is tipped to undergo a change in graphics and titles later on Monday. Anderson teased viewers at the close of Friday’s program:

“We have a new look show next week, so do join us on Monday. We’re very excited about it.”

A possible glimpse of the new look can be found on the newly launched webpage for the show, the blog and a new promo that debuted on Monday:

If the record number of nominations - 9,000 in total - received this year are anything to go by, the blue ribbon panel that will choose the finalists of the 2009 CNN Heroes will have their work cut out for them.

The panel, which includes: Colin Powell, Sir Elton John, Ted Turner, Mariane Pearl, Shakira and more, will select the top ten candidates, with voting for the eventual CNN Hero of 2009 opened to the public between October and November.

Speaking after nominations officially closed, Jim Walton - President of CNN Worldwide said:

“This record number of nominations is further evidence of the momentum CNN Heroes has built in just a few short years.”

...

“Viewers have been engaged by these stories of inspiration and accomplishment beyond our expectations. It is truly an honor to be able to introduce the CNN Heroes to our global audience every year.”

Now in its third year, CNN Heroes aims to recognise everyday people whose selflessness, dedication, and achievement are changing the world.

CNN will announce the 2009 “CNN Hero of the Year” and honor the Top Ten CNN Heroes in a gala celebration to air on CNN Domestic on Thanksgiving, November 26, at 9pm (ET/PT) from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The event will also screen on CNN International and CNN én Espanol.

In the meantime, you can stay up to date with the latest news from CNN Heroes on this blog or via Twitter, CNN.com or Facebook.

Meteorologist Ivan Cabrera made his CNN debut on Saturday.

Formerly of Orlando's WESH-TV, Ivan presented the overnight weather bulletins on CNN International.

For more information on Ivan, visit his website or follow Ivan's Twitter feed.

CNN Press Release - CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brown and John King will lead the network’s live, comprehensive coverage of President Barack Obama’s 8 p.m. address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Before the president takes the podium to discuss health care reform, members of the Best Political Team on Television will preview his remarks. After Pres. Obama’s address, coverage will continue with the Republican response, followed by analysis and opinions from across the ideological spectrum.

Larry King Live is scheduled to air following the joint session, and Anderson Cooper 360 will continue coverage, with Anderson Cooper reporting from Afghanistan

CNN Press Release - State of the Union with John King live from the Minnesota State Fair this Sunday, Sept. 6

John King, CNN’s chief national correspondent and anchor of State of the Union with John King, traveled to Wisconsin this week where he spent time on a dairy farm to look at the impact of local health care co-ops and investigate whether they could work on a national level.

This Sunday, Sept. 6, the CNN Express will take State of the Union on the road to broadcast live from the Minnesota State Fair. Tune in from 9am – 1pm ET for John’s interviews with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and more.

CNN Observations has confirmed that London-based anchor, Adrian Finighan will leave CNN International sometime in October. While the October date has not been set for his departure, he will return to CNN International on occasion in a freelance-type role.

Below is the note from Deborah Rayner, managing editor for Europe and Africa, which she sent to London staffers last week.

From: Rayner, Deborah
Sent: 28 August 2009 15:21
Subject: Adrian Finighan

I am sad to announce that Adrian Finighan will be leaving us in October.

After much thought Adrian has decided to explore new projects and opportunities outside CNN.

We will miss his cheerful presence, both in the newsroom and on QMB.

Deborah

After five months of encore screenings, 'Inside the Middle East' - CNN International's monthly look at the economic, social and cultural affairs of the Middle East - returns in September with a newly revamped format and opening titles.

Below is the new promo for this month's show.



UPDATE: The ITME webpage has now been updated with the new design.

The Baltimore Sun - The gray sky, steady rain, a sea of umbrellas, tolling bells and the ancient stones of the Boston basilica. Televised coverage Saturday of the funeral mass for Ted Kennedy was somber, stirring and deeply moving.

I can't explain this except by the weather, perhaps, but the opening images as mourners waited at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica for the coffin of Senator Kennedy to arrive seemed very British somehow. Maybe it involved all the gray and black suits, dresses, coats and umrellas. or all the present-day politicians and former heads of state moving with such solemnity.

But even the rain drops on the lenses of the cameras somehow seemed right. Maybe I'm thinking metaphorically, as in, even the heavens wept.

The Catholic funeral liturgy has its own sort of somber majesty, but the musical performances of Yo-Yo Ma, Placido Domingo and Susan Graham seemed to elevate their moments onstage to the ethereal.

I am not going to make this a long post; I feel emotionally spent from watching the Friday and Saturday services, and I want to watch and post on the burial later. The words Saturday of Ted Kennedy Jr. alone as he described his father helping him up a snow-covered hill shortly after he lost a leg as an adolescent to bone cancer were overwhleming.

But I do want to highlight one aspect of the TV coverage of the funeral mass -- the work of John King on CNN.

I broke my pledge to watch only C-SPAN. As I waited for the mass to begin, I started surfing all the coverage and I came upon King, host of CNN's "State of the Union" show, standing in the rain outside the church reporting on the scene in the old neighborhood at the foot of the basilica. What I saw kept me glued to CNN.

King and the CNN cameras (which appeared to be those of Boston's outstanding news station WCVB-TV) caught the first glimpses of the funeral motorcade as it came up a hill toward the basilica on a street lined by old rowhouses that could have been in almost any working or middle class neighborhood in Baltimore.

It was a powerful tableau that grounded the larger-than-life Washington image of Kennedy in the brickand mortar reality of the people in Boston whom he served.

"As the hearse made it's way up the hill, " King reported that he could hear applause and some cheering from people on the street.

"... There was a woman holding a child out the window to see," he said.

King's words provided a great bit of detail that the cameras didn't. But more important than anything he said was the fact that King was there in the rain reporting a small part of this very large story.

King was the star of CNN's widely-praised and highly-rated election coverage last fall -- in fact, he was the star of all the coverage on all the channels and networks. He is now the host of the most thorough and wide-ranging Sunday morning show on network or cable TV, "State of the Union." He does not have to be standing in the rain outside the church.

But he was, and he was doing the straightforward, just-the-facts, honest work of reporting a piece of history without ego or pretense.

Roland Martin, Ed Rollins, David Gergen -- I didn't need or want more analysts sitting in a studio talking about Kennedy. In fact, that was the last thing I wanted -- studio heads telling me what I was feeling.

I wanted the kind of effort King was providing to modestly help CNN report every aspect of the story of the funeral mass and burial of this towering political figure.

In that moment in the rain, King reminded me of what I felt when I saw ABC anchorman Charles Gibson standing on-camera alongside the road leading to the Kennedy Hyannis Port compound the night after Kennedy's death. They were both doing the core work of journalism, and each in his own way, was also paying tribute to Kennedy his on-the-ground out-of-the-studio efforts.

They made me proud to be part of the working press -- and that is a feeling one rarely has these days.

CNN Press Release - CNN TOPS MSNBC IN TOTAL DAY BY 45% AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS; ALSO TOPS MSNBC IN TOTAL DAY DEMO 25-54 AND IN PRIMETIME IN TOTAL VIEWERS

Campbell Brown Grows in Total Viewers Compared to a Year Ago, Larry King Live Tops Maddow in Total Viewers and

Anderson Cooper 360 outperforms Countdown with Keith Olbermann in Total Viewers and Demo 25-54

CNN’s American Morning and HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade Outperform MSNBC’s Morning Joe


CNN Digital No. 1 TV News Property on the Web in July

For the month of August, CNN continued to top MSNBC in total day in both total viewers and in the key demo adults 25-54, and in primetime among total viewers (M-Su and M-F). In total day, CNN averaged 573k in total viewers, 45% more than MSNBC’s 396k, and posted 162k among 25-54, 13% ahead of MSNBC’s 143k. CNN also increased its total day advantage over MSNBC during August, growing to a 45% lead from 32% a year ago in total viewers, and increasing to 13% from 11% last year among 25-54.

In primetime (M-Su/M-F), CNN outperformed MSNBC among total viewers with 892k vs. 813k and 939k vs. 938k, respectively.

CNN primetime program highlights include:
• Campbell Brown grew its total viewer audience compared to last year, up 13% (762k vs. 673k), while Countdown with Keith Olbermann lost -4% of his audience.
• Larry King Live topped MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow in total viewers for the 11th time since her launch, averaging 1.090 million vs 1.073 million last August.
• At 10p, Anderson Cooper 360 easily outperformed MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann in total viewers (866k vs. 695k) and in the 25-54 demo (260k vs. 243k).

Also in August, CNN’s American Morning outperformed MSNBC’s Morning Joe in total viewers (409k vs. 337k) and in the key demo adults 25-54 (148k vs. 117k). American Morning has topped Morning Joe every month since the MSNBC program launched in the fall of 2007 among total viewers. In August, Morning Joe placed fourth among 25-54.

On Friday evening (August 28), CNN’s coverage of Senator Kennedy’s memorial, Ted Kennedy Remembered (7-10:09p), attracted 1.929 million total viewers and 475k in the 25-54 demo. MSNBC’s coverage (7-10:20p) posted 1.377 million in total viewers and 310k among the demo, while FNC (7-10:20p) had 1.342 million and 274k, respectively. On Saturday, CNN’s coverage of the Kennedy funeral mass (10a-1:30p) averaged 2.339 million total viewers and 619k in the demo, while MSNBC had 1.096 million total viewers and 270k 25-54 and FNC posted 1.676 million in total viewers and 305k in the demo. Coverage continued into the evening with the Kennedy motorcade in Washington, D.C. and the burial at Arlington, with CNN (4-8:30 pm) registering 2.913 million total viewers and 692k 25-54. FNC (5-8:27p) posted 1.627 million total viewers and 348k 25-54, while MSNBC (5-8:32p) had 1.342 million and 335k, respectively.


HLN
HLN continued its successful 2009 with growth in a number of key time slots, beating MSNBC every hour from 6am through 2pm. Compared to August 2008, Morning Express with Robin Meade delivered 12% growth among 25-54 viewers and 2% growth among total viewers, beating MSNBC’s Morning Joe in 25-54 viewers by 21% (141K vs. 117K). Prime News at 6 pm increased 16% among both 25-54 viewers and total viewers. Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell delivered 9% growth among 25-54 viewers and 10% growth among total viewers, and Showbiz Tonight delivered 16% growth among 25-54 viewers and 11% growth among total viewers.


REACH
CNN continues to reach more viewers than any cable news network, while HLN tops MSNBC among cumulative audiences in August:

P2+
CNN: 109,168,000, FNC: 99,314,000, HLN: 93,467,000, MSNBC: 87,287,000

25-54
CNN: 49,163,000, FNC: 44,168,000, HLN: 42,693,000, MSNBC: 40,337,000

With a combined TV and online reach of more than 135 million, CNN continues to reach more people on more platforms than any cable news competitor in June, including MSNBC and Fox News. (Source: Nielsen Fusion – June 2009)


CNN DIGITAL
In July, CNN Digital was the Internet’s No. 1 TV news property beating the competition in all metrics, including:
- Unique Visitors: 38.7 million – 2.1 million more than MSNBC Digital; 23 million over Fox News Digital; 22.3 million more than ABCNEWS Digital; and 28 million above CBS News Digital.
- Total Minutes: 1.2 billion – 424 million more than No. 2 MSNBC Digital, 835 million more than Fox News Digital, over 1 billion more than ABC News Digital and 1.1 billion more than CBS News Digital.
- Average Time Per Person: 32.1 minutes – 24% greater than Fox News Digital, 44% greater than MSNBC Digital, 270% greater than ABC News Digital and 317% greater than CBS News Digital.
Additionally, among ALL News and Information sites in July, CNN Digital was No. 1 in Total Minutes and Average Time Per Person among the Top 20 News and Information sites, as well as Share of Online News (9%).

Year-to-date, CNN Digital also is the Web’s No. 1 news video property, averaging more than 109 million streams per month.

With 12.8 million unique visitors, CNN Digital remained the number one mobile news destination in July, surpassing the nearest competitor Yahoo! News by 144%. CNN Digital has remained the number one mobile news and information site for 31 consecutive months according to Nielsen Mobile Media View. (Source: Nielsen Mobile Media View, July 2009)

CNN Pressroom - Anderson Cooper will anchor Anderson Cooper 360° from Afghanistan the week of September 7th to mark the eighth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Cooper will be embedded with US troops fighting on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan. Cooper will be joined by CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who will be embedded with the US military and covering battle field trauma surgery. Terrorism expert and CNN’s national security analyst Peter Bergen will join Cooper in Afghanistan and CNN correspondent Michael Ware will also file reports from the field. Anderson Cooper 360° airs weeknights at 10pm ET on CNN and CNN International.

Pieces from throughout the week will culminate in an hour special premiering on Saturday at 8pmET and re-airing at 11pm and on Sunday at 2amET on CNN. Additionally, www.AC360.com will feature a multimedia look at Anderson Cooper 360° Afghanistan trip.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

CNN Pressroom - Airs Wednesday, September 2 at 9 pm ET on CNN Larry King Live

In his first interview since his February arrest for assault, R & B star CHRIS BROWN talks exclusively to Larry King for the hour, in an interview on CNN Larry King Live airing Wednesday, September 2, at 9 pm ET. Brown’s mother, JOYCE HAWKINS, also talks with King, as well as Brown’s attorney, MARK GERAGOS. Earlier this week, Brown was sentenced to five years probation, 180 days of community labor and 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling for assault involving fellow R & B star Rihanna.

CNN Press Release - A stunning AC360 worldwide investigation. “Secret Harvest,” the illegal trade in body parts, starts tonight 10 ET.