CNN Worldwide has appointed Lynn Brindell to the role of senior vice president of marketing, with her portfolio to cover all CNN brands. Full details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: Lynn Brindell Named Senior Vice President of Marketing for CNN Worldwide

Lynn Brindell, a veteran media marketing executive, will join CNN Worldwide as senior vice president of marketing, it was announced today by Janet Rollé, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of CNN Worldwide. Brindell will work across all CNN brands and businesses to lead off-channel and digital marketing efforts, as well as develop strategies and programs to drive brand strength, and audience growth and engagement on all platforms. She will report directly to Rollé, and she will be based in Atlanta

Brindell’s significant media marketing experience includes multi-platform brand work at The Weather Channel, Food Network and Lifetime Television. She has developed brand positioning, launched prime time series, directed off-channel and digital marketing strategies, overseen marketing initiatives for cable networks, and online ad sales and affiliate sales. She has also collaborated with national marketing partners at retail and in cause-related campaigns.

"Lynn’s tremendous experience and track record will bring great value to the marketing team,” said Rollé. “I’m thrilled to have someone who is well-respected as both a leader and developer of marketing talent join us."

“It’s a very exciting time to join the CNN Marketing team. I’m delighted and honored to work with such a powerful and important brand,” said Brindell.

Brindell’s extensive media marketing experience includes launching a prime time series and an award-winning national environmental marketing platform for The Weather Channel; launching signature Iron Chef America and Next Food Network Star series for Food Network; and developing and managing all aspects of Television for Women branding for Lifetime Television.

Brindell earned her bachelor’s of arts degree in English, magna cum laude, from Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine. She was the first woman in the college’s history to solely receive the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Award. She also studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York, New York. She has received numerous recognitions for creative excellence and achievement, including BDA, BPME/PROMAX, AWRT (now AWM), AWMS, AIGA, Telly, International Flame and New York Festivals.

CNN today released its take on the network's numbers for February. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: CNN TOPS MSNBC IN PRIMETIME FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.

CNN GROWS 31% IN M-Su PRIMETIME – MSNBC AND FNC LOSE VIEWERS IN FEB.

AC 360 Tops MSNBC at 10p.

CNN Tops MSNBC in Total Day and Dayside.


February 2012 Highlights:

CNN tops MSNBC in M-F primetime in target demo
CNN tops MSNBC in M-Su primetime in key demo
CNN tops MSNBC in total day among total viewers and in key demo
CNN tops MSNBC in dayside in total viewers and target demo
AC 360 tops MSNBC at 10p in key demo
Despite the Arab Spring a year ago, CNN shows growth in primetime and total day, while MSNBC and FNC decline.

In February, CNN topped MSNBC in M-F prime and M-Su prime in the target demo 25-54 and in both total viewers and in the key demo in total day and dayside. Anderson Cooper 360 at 10pm also topped MSNBC’s Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell among 25-54.

Despite cable news being fueled by coverage of the Arab Spring during this time a year ago, CNN showed the most growth this month vs. a year ago in primetime and total day, while MSNBC and FNC both down.

In Monday-Friday primetime, CNN topped MSNBC (270k vs. 252k) and increased +11% (270k vs. 243k) in the demo 25-54 and grew 5% in total viewers vs. last year. MSNBC is down -5% (252k vs. 266k) and FNC is off -13% (502k vs. 579k) in the demo, and down -1% and -3% respectively in total viewers compared to a year ago. February represents the second consecutive month that CNN has outperformed MSNBC in M-F prime in the key demo.

Anderson Cooper 360 at 10p continued to show a strong ratings performance, topping MSNBC’s Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell at 10p in the key demo (262k vs.238k).

In Monday-Sunday primetime, CNN topped MSNBC in the target demo (283k vs. 237k) and grew an impressive +31% (283k vs. 216k) vs. a year ago, while MSNBC is down -9% (237k vs. 260k) and FNC declined -10% (418k vs. 466k). In total viewers, CNN grew +20% (807k vs. 675k), while MSNBC declined -3% and FNC is flat.

In total day (6a-6a), CNN outperformed MSNBC in both total viewers (475k vs. 455k) and the target demo (163k vs. 145k). In the key demo 25-54, CNN is up +3% (163k vs. 159k) last year, with FNC dropping -6% (270k vs. 286k) and MSNBC declining -1% (145k vs. 146k).

During the dayside (9a-5p), CNN also topped MSNBC in total viewers by +11% (439k vs. 396k) and by +27% in the key demo (117k vs. 92k).

CNN reached a cumulative audience of 95.9 million viewers in February 2012, FNC followed with 79.3 million and MSNBC had 75.5 million.

CNN has released plans for tonight's coverage of the Arizona and Michigan Primaries. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: CNN Devotes Special Coverage to Arizona, Michigan Primaries

Anchors Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett and John King will headline the network’s America’s Choice 2012: The Arizona and Michigan Primaries coverage beginning at 7 p.m. live from the CNN Election Center. John King, USA kicks off the network’s primary coverage at 6 p.m. and a special edition of Piers Morgan Tonight is scheduled to broadcast at midnight.

CNN chief political analyst Gloria Borger and senior political analyst David Gergen, along with political contributors Paul Begala, Maria Cardona, Alex Castellanos and Ari Fleischer, will be on set in the CNN Election Center to offer insight and analysis throughout the evening.

Anchor and chief political correspondent Candy Crowley will report from Romney campaign headquarters in Michigan; national political correspondent Jim Acosta from Santorum headquarters; and senior correspondent Joe Johns from Gingrich headquarters. CNN political editor Paul Steinhauser and correspondent Miguel Marquez will take viewers inside the voting process in Michigan and Arizona, respectively. Correspondent Tom Foreman will lead a focus group in the bellwether state of Ohio ahead of Super Tuesday. CNN Newsroom anchor Suzanne Malveaux will anchor live from Phoenix, Ariz. beginning Monday, Feb. 27 through Wednesday, Feb. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CNN.com will live stream the Arizona and Michigan primary coverage online, on CNN’s mobile website and across CNN's mobile apps. Users can visit the CNNPolitics.com for primary coverage and analysis. Other online features include: GOP Delegate Calculator, CNN Electoral Map and the 2012 Primary Caucus Calendar. Users can view the CNN Politics Facebook page and follow @CNNPolitics on Twitter for the latest.


Programming schedule for Tuesday, Feb. 28 – Arizona and Michigan Primaries (All Times Eastern):

11:00 AM – 1:00PM: CNN Newsroom (Suzanne Malveaux from Phoenix, Ariz.)
6:00PM – 7:00PM: John King, USA (Special Edition)
7:00PM – Midnight: America's Choice 2012: The Arizona and Michigan Primaries (Live)
Midnight – 1:00 AM: Piers Morgan Tonight (Special Edition)

This is our weekly round-up of the tidbits that didn't make it to a post of their own, but are worth noting, along with news items that we've covered that may need a second look.


- CNN Newsroom changes reported with Carol Costello moving to 9am - 11am weekdays.

- Q&A with CNN International's Andrew Stevens.

- CNN copy editor retires after 32 years.

- CNN en Español host Ismael Cala credits social media for his show’s ratings success.

- CNN applies for terrestrial channel in Finland.

- CNN managing editor, Mark Whitaker, profile. (via: ICN)

- CNN crew's risky path out of Syria.

CNN is planning an Oscar special tonight with HLN's A.J. Hammer hosting 'Showbiz Tonight: Road To Gold' from 6:30pm (eastern). Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: CNN’S OSCAR SPECIAL“SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: ROAD TO GOLD” COVERS THE GLAMOUR AND PAGEANTRY LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET WITH
HOST AJ HAMMER

Coverage Features Special Guest Fashion Commentator Lisa Vanderpump and HLN “Showbiz Tonight” correspondents Nischelle Turner and Kareen Wynter

“Showbiz Tonight: Road to Gold” Airs Sun, Feb 26, 6:30 p.m. ET on CNN

CNN’s Oscar special “Showbiz Tonight” host AJ Hammer covers the 84th Annual Academy Awards live in the 90-minute special “Showbiz Tonight: Road To Gold” airing Sunday, Feb 26 at 6:30 p.m. ET on CNN.

Joining AJ as Hollywood’s biggest stars arrive will be “Showbiz Tonight” correspondent Nischelle Turner live on the Red Carpet, “Showbiz Tonight’s” Kareen Wynter reporting on the most anticipated showdowns expected Oscar night, and Lisa Vanderpump, star of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, who will be providing special guest Fashion commentary.

“We are thrilled to have Lisa Vanderpump with us this year. She was terrific as HLN’s Fashion commentator during the Royal Wedding and now we can’t wait to hear her take on what the stars will be wearing at the Oscars. The Red Carpet will be amazing and Showbiz Tonight’s Nischelle Turner will be there live with all the top Oscar contenders, like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Glenn Close and Viola Davis. There’s a good reason they call this Hollywood’s biggest night of the year and the timing is really exciting for us because we are live at the Oscars the same week that Showbiz Tonight begins its eighth year on the air!” said Dave Levine, Senior Executive Producer, CNN Entertainment and Showbiz Tonight.

In addition to the live coverage on CNN, audiences can broaden their Oscar night experience, online. Exceptional access to the most compelling moments from the 84th Academy Awards at www.cnn.com/showbiz. CNN.com’s Entertainment section will feature the evening’s nominees and winners, photo galleries of the hottest fashions, an Oscar-themed quote board, and red carpet coverage streamed live from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET.

The “Show Trending Stories” tab on the Entertainment section will also present the most popular, user-driven Oscar stories according to related user activity in CNN.com’s comments, as well as on Facebook.

Users can check The Marquee Blog throughout the night or follow @CNNShowbiz for updates from the red carpet, the award show’s most “buzz-worthy” moments, and the winners as they’re announced.

From the red carpet until the last acceptance speech, viewers can also engage with HLN anchors during the Oscar Twitter Watch Party via the following Twitter handles: @showbiztonight, @hlntv, @RichelleCarey

CNN today released the fast national numbers for last night's GOP Presidential debate from Arizona.

CNN Press Release: According to Nielsen Fast National data, CNN's Arizona debate (8-10p, ET), moderated by John King delivered 4.7 million total viewers and 1.4 million in the key target demographic 25-54 last night Wednesday, February 22.

CNN was, by far, top rated during the 8-10p ET time period last night among the cable news networks in both total viewers and the key demo. CNN topped FNC among total viewers by 173% (4.7m vs. 1.7m) and MSNBC by 464% (4.7m vs. 839k). In the target demo CNN averaged 1.4m, topping FNC (381k) and MSNBC (174k) combined.

With post-debate analysis, Anderson Cooper 360 easily outperformed its cable news competition at 10p. AC360 topped FNC’s On the Record among total viewers by 35% (2.1m vs. 1.6m) and MSNBC’s Last Word by 106% (2.1m vs. 1.0m). In the target demo AC360 posted 740k, topping both FNC (344k) and MSNBC (213k) combined.

During the west coast primetime airing (8-10p, PT/11p-1a, ET replay) CNN had an additional 941k total viewers and 434k in the key demographic 25-54. KTVK (IND-Phoenix) averaged 119k P2+ and 55k P25-54 from 8p-10p ET during its simulcast of the CNN Arizona GOP Presidential Republican Debate.

CNN tonight hosts another Republican Presidential debate. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: GOP Candidates to Appear for Final Debate before Super Tuesday

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Republican presidential hopefuls will face-off for the final debate before a dozen states take to the polls on Super Tuesday. CNN anchor and chief national correspondent John King will moderate the two-hour debate, which will air live from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET from the Mesa Performing Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona.

King, Wolf Blitzer and Erin Burnett will anchor their respective programs live from Mesa on the days surrounding the CNN debate. Anderson Cooper will anchor special, post-debate coverage.

National political correspondent Jim Acosta, senior political correspondent Joe Johns and CNN Radio’s Lisa Desjardins will report from Arizona. In addition, chief political analyst Gloria Borger, senior political analyst David Gergen and CNN political contributors John Avlon, Donna Brazile, Erick Erickson, James Carville and Ari Fleischer will be on site in Arizona to provide insight and analysis across all programming. On the campaign trail covering the candidates leading up to the Arizona and Michigan primaries are reporter-at-large Peter Hamby, political reporter Shannon Travis, and political producers Rachel Streitfeld and Shawna Shepherd.

All four of the leading Republican presidential contenders will participate in Wednesday’s debate: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. In addition to questions posed to the candidates by King and Arizona Republicans in the audience, the network will solicit questions and comments submitted in real-time from CNN.com, the CNN Politics fan page on Facebook and by using the #CNNDebate hashtag on Twitter.


CNN Digital

Online, users can visit the CNN Election Center and CNNPolitics.com for all things political before, during and after the debate. On debate night, CNN.com will live stream the event online and on the CNN apps for iPhone, iPad, Android phone and Android tablet. The Political Ticker will live-blog the debate and incorporate live comments generated from social networks directly on the Ticker. Users may also 'check in' to the CNN debate on GetGlue for exclusive CNN debate stickers.

CNNPolitics.com will also showcase commentary and analysis from CNN’s political contributors, and feature a post-debate camera live from the Spin Room. CNN iReport, the network’s global participatory news community, will be asking for submissions of reactions to the debate, some of which will be shown across CNN.com and broadcast on CNN.


CNN en Español and CNN International

CNN en Español will join in the coverage of the Arizona debate with anchor Juan Carlos López reporting from Mesa, Arizona starting on Tuesday, Feb. 21. On Wednesday, Feb. 22, López will lead the live coverage beginning at 7:45pm with pre-debate analysis joined by contributors Maria Cardona and Roberto Izurieta from Washington D.C. and Juan Hernández from Dallas. CNN en Español will simulcast the debate at 8 p.m. with Spanish interpretation, followed by 30 minutes of post-debate analysis with the contributors.

The debate will also be carried live on CNN International.

This is our weekly round-up of the tidbits that didn't make it to a post of their own, but are worth noting, along with news items that we've covered that may need a second look.

- Anti-corruption campaigners raise concerns over CNN deal with Angola.

- Perez named Editorial Director for CNN Digital.

- CNN executive on troubled family past.

- CNN producer wins $1M in Georgia Lottery; won 100K in November.

- Nic Robertson talks about his recent reporting from Syria.

- CNN pulls plug on March 1 Atlanta debate.

- CNN International marketing director Haviland joins LinkShare as CCO.

- An open letter to CNN regarding Nancy Grace.

- The "CNN Grill" returns to South by Southwest.

Former CNN International anchor Anjali Rao appeared on Australian television's version of 'The View' earlier this week.

As a guest on Network Ten's morning program, 'The Circle', Rao revealed how she passed on an interview with the late Whitney Houston 18 months ago after restrictions were placed on the interview by Houston's camp. She also describes her youth with an Indian father and Australian mother - and reveals exactly how she gained that British accent.

Anjali Rao returned to the program later in the week and co-hosted Friday's show.

The video of Anjali's interview is apparently geo-blocked to most people outside of Australia, but if you're feeling lucky you can try to watch it here. For everyone else, we've uploaded the audio of the conversation into the player below.



You can also check out some on-set photographs on Anjali from Friday's show on Facebook. (h/t: DayNightTrader)

CNN has cut loose veteran broadcaster Larry King, according to Joe Flint from the LA Times.

In a statement Wednesday, CNN said it had "the greatest respect for Larry," and wished him "the best of luck with his new endeavors.” King added that he has nothing but love for CNN. King's staff of four will likely be let go from CNN but may be able to reapply for new jobs at the network.

Following King's exit from his weekday talk show in 2010, CNN and King agreed on a series of regular specials. The last one of those aired in December 2011, although TV Newser reports King had hoped to do at least two more.

King is believed to have nearly two years left on his contract with CNN, and he had two new specials in the pipeline before the decision was made to end them. It isn’t clear whether the agreement means that King is now free to appear on other networks, or whether he is still under contract with CNN.

CNN Reliable Sources host Howard Kurtz, while tweeting a link to the LA Times story, commented:

"He's now free to take his talents elsewhere."

TV Newser has the details on CNN's promotion of Janelle Rodriguez. Formerly Director of Coverage at CNN in Atlanta - a position she has held since 2010 - Rodriguez has been upped to Vice President of Programming for CNN/U.S.

Read the memo from CNN Executive Vice President Ken Jautz here.

CNN International today kicks off a series of special reports from Vietnam as part of the CNN Freedom Project.

CNN International anchor Natalie Allen reports on a woman's efforts to save a small community threatened by the evils of child traffickers. The revealing reports will air Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on News Stream and Connect The World at 1300 GMT and 2100 GMT respectively.

CNN's press release is below.


CNN Press Release: The CNN Freedom Project Shines The Spotlight On Human Trafficking In Vietnam.

A series of special reports on ‘News Stream' reveals a poor community threatened by child traffickers, and highlights one woman's mission to save "one girl at a time"

CNN's Natalie Allen went to Vietnam on a trip to build a playground for poor children in the Mekong Delta. What she found, and shot with her own camera, was a community so poor and so vulnerable that it had become easy prey to child traffickers.

Airing for the first time on News Stream (1300 GMT) on Monday February 13, ‘The Children of the Dump' is heartbreaking to watch - but it is not without hope. We'll introduce you to one woman on a mission to save this community, as she puts it, "one girl at a time."

Part One:

CNN's Natalie Allen takes us to Rach Gia in southwest Vietnam where she meets a poor community of Cambodian refugees. They fled the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s and have been living on the city dump for three generations. They eat what they find in the trash and sleep in shelters they make from the trash. The poverty and filth are crushing. But a bigger threat is child trafficking. Strangers show up at the dump, offer money and promise good jobs for the children... and then disappear. In this CNN Freedom Project report, we'll look at the dangers they face and the one thread of hope that has come their way.

Part Two:

The children of the dump are threatened every day by child traffickers. CNN's Natalie Allen introduces us to a determined volunteer who is fighting to save them, and she is using a surprising weapon - school. In this CNN Freedom Project report, we learn how one woman is arming a community with books and pencils to fight a war against child trafficking. She's using literacy to drive the traffickers away.

Part Three:

CNN's Natalie Allen went to Vietnam to build a playground. The children of the dump had never seen one before, a point that is clearly evident on their faces as the playground is unveiled. Thanks to volunteers from around the world, these children can now see beyond the dump and are starting to dream of a future in a better place, away from the threat of human trafficking.


About The CNN Freedom Project:

The CNN Freedom Project was launched in March 2011 and aims to shine a spotlight on the horrors of modern-day slavery, amplify the voices of the victims, highlight success stories and help unravel the complicated tangle of criminal enterprises trading in human life.

Learn more at www.cnn.com/freedom and follow the Freedom Project on Twitter: @CNNFreedom.

This is our weekly round-up of the tidbits that didn't make it to a post of their own, but are worth noting, along with news items that we've covered that may need a second look.

- First Lady Michelle Obama takes iReporters' Questions.

- CNN cuts staff in Jerusalem. CNN responds to false reports about CNN's Jerusalem Bureau.

- Bad Vetting by CNN’s iReport?

- On television, CNN wins the election. (via: Johnny Dollar)

- Bill O’Reilly: Karma may have caught up with CNN’s Roland Martin.

- CNN's Candy Crowley receives William Allen White award from KU.

- Alina Cho is making a ‘special’ effort to bring fashion coverage back to hard-news CNN.

- New promo for CNN International's World Business Today.

- ‘Piers Morgan’ delivers the in depth Super Bowl halftime analysis no one asked for on SNL.

- CNN Dialogues panelists explore ‘Arab Spring’.

As violence continues in Syria, CNN Domestic and CNN International will present a 30 minute special this weekend. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: Homs: City Under Siege

This weekend CNN/US and CNN International will air a special half-hour documentary on Syria. Narrated by CNN's senior international correspondent Dan Rivers, 'Homs: City Under Siege' takes viewers inside Syria's third-largest city – and a flashpoint in the uprising.


Program Description

Bombs rain down on residential neighborhoods. Snipers shoot at those who dare to leave their homes. Bodies lay in the streets, as women, children, even medical crews are killed. This is how activists describe the scene in what’s being called the capital of the Syrian uprising. Homs has suffered the worst of the violence that has left more than 6,000 people dead since the uprising and government crackdown began almost a year ago. And residents say it’s getting worse. Many are risking their lives to show the world how their city is suffering, by sharing video of the violence that has grown in intensity over the past week. Distressing images and remarkable voices bear witness to the deteriorating situation and the escalating atrocities. Through the voices of those who are living it, CNN tells the story of one week in 'Homs: City Under Siege.'


Airdates/times

CNN/US: Saturday, February 11 at 10:30pm (eastern)

CNN International: Saturday, February 11 at 1030 GMT, 1630 GMT; Sunday, February 12 at 0030 GMT, 2130 GMT; Monday February 13 at 0430 GMT

** This version corrects program title and host.

Due to some controversial tweets made during the superbowl, CNN contributor Roland Martin has been suspended "for the time being" from CNN air.

TVNewser has all the details.

CNN today released fast national numbers for the network's coverage of Saturday's Nevada Caucuses. TV Newser has the viewership averages between 10:00 pm (eastern) and Midnight (eastern) here.

CNN Press Note: According to Nielsen time period for Nevada Caucuses – Saturday, February 4, 2012

Highlights:

CNN tops MSNBC in primetime (8-11pm) and during key coverage block (7-11pm)
CNN showed the most primetime growth vs. non-primary nights
CNN topped FNC and MSNBC at 11pm in the key demo

During Saturday night’s coverage of the GOP Nevada Caucuses, CNN topped MSNBC in primetime (8-11pm) in both total viewers and in the key demo adults 25-54. In total viewers, CNN averaged 595k a +37% advantage over MSNBC’s 433k and in the target demo, CNN posted 174k a +23% lead over MSNBC’s 142k. (FNC aired Huckabee at 8 pm and Justice with Judge Jeanine at 9pm on Saturday night.)

CNN showed the most growth during primetime increasing +47% among total viewers, FNC was up +33% and MSNBC was flat compared to the prior three non-event Saturday averages. In the key demo CNN grew +37%, FNC was up +15% and MSNBC was down -38%.

At 11pm CNN topped FNC in the key demo (273k vs. 257k) and also outperformed MSNBC’s Lockup (226k).

From 7-11pm CNN had a +47% advantage over MSNBC in total viewers (607k vs. 412k) and a +40% lead in the demo (181k vs. 129k).

CNN Press Release - Jim Acosta has been named national political correspondent, it was announced today by Sam Feist, Washington bureau chief and senior vice president. Acosta begins his new assignment as national political correspondent immediately.

“Jim has been an outstanding addition to the political team,” said Feist. “He has emerged as one of the key reporters on the campaign trail and his astute reporting skills will only help to position the network to dominate this important election cycle.”

“Having grown up just outside of the nation’s capital, I’m very excited about this new assignment,” said Acosta. “I am honored to be part of CNN’s political team, which is second to none.”

In this new role, Acosta will work closely with the network’s political unit to provide coverage of the 2012 campaign including the primary races, the presidential debates, and the political conventions. He will also cover important stories on policy and culture for various CNN programs, including The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and John King, USA.

Previously, Acosta served as a CNN correspondent reporting from the field and within the beltway on a wide-range of national stories including, the 2010 midterm elections and 2008 presidential election, when he covered the campaigns of then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John McCain and then-Sen. Barack Obama. In 2009, Acosta traveled to Cuba to report from Havana on the effects of the Obama administration’s policy change to American travel restrictions in that country. Prior to CNN, Acosta was a correspondent for CBS News, where he contributed to CBS Evening News and covered stories including the Iraq War from Baghdad, the 2004 presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry and Hurricane Katrina.

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 - Miguel Marquez will join CNN as a correspondent based in Los Angeles, it was announced today by Terence Burke, vice president of newsgathering for CNN/U.S.

Marquez returns to CNN from ABC News, where he served as a correspondent from May 2005. During his tenure at ABC News, he covered international breaking news and challenging assignments, including the Norway camp massacre, the violent anti-government protests in Bahrain and the war in Iraq during the height of the conflict.

Prior to his work at ABC News, Marquez was a correspondent at CNN based in Los Angeles from 2003 to 2005. Earlier, he worked as a news anchor for CNN Headline News and was based in CNN’s world headquarters in Atlanta.

“Miguel is an extremely skilled, tenacious and thorough reporter. His fearless coverage on-site covering the Arab Spring is testament alone to that,” said Burke. “We are very fortunate to once again have him be a part of our team.”

Marquez first joined CNN in April 2003 from FOX affiliate KSAZ in Phoenix, Ariz., where he was a reporter. Before that position, Marquez was with NBC flagship station WNBC in New York, N.Y., where he was a reporter covering events around the city, including criminal trials. Marquez also worked with CBS News in New York where he was a national desk assistant to the CBS Evening News, 48 Hours and 60 Minutes.

Before pursuing a career in broadcast journalism, Marquez served as a legislative assistant to former Rep. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., where he was responsible for foreign affairs, telecommunications and trade issues. In this position, Marquez traveled to Pyongyang, North Korea, staffing the congressional delegation that negotiated the release of two U.S. helicopter pilots shot down north of the demilitarized zone. Before working with Richardson, Marquez was with Congressional Research Service in Washington, D.C., where he was a research contractor for the foreign affairs and national defense division.

Marquez holds a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University; a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of New Mexico and a liberal arts degree from New Mexico Military Institute.

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 - Maribel Aber will join CNN Newsource as a correspondent for “CNN Money Matters,” a market-exclusive, multi-platform financial news service produced in conjunction with CNNMoney.com, it was announced today by Paul Crum, vice president of news operations, administration and affiliate services for CNN/U.S.

According to CNN polls, Americans consider the economy to be the most important issue affecting their lives today. CNN Newsource has marshaled expert resources to provide in-depth, customizable coverage of the economy for its affiliates, and Aber will offer markets specific information from the floor of NASDAQ.

Prior to joining CNN Newsource, Aber concurrently anchored the PBS series “Wall Street Week” and served as host of the education-focused BrainFuel TV, contributed financial and career advice on the nationally syndicated lifestyle television program “The Better Show” and AOL’s money and finance site Walletpop, and reported for the online media outlet, The Broadway Channel.

Earlier in her career, Aber was Vice President of NASDAQ MarketSite, and oversaw the operations of the Times Square-based, broadcast studio in New York City. In that position, she also hosted the televised NASDAQ Opening and Closing Bell ceremonies and interviewed visiting CEOs and dignitaries. In partnership with CNN, Aber spearheaded the implementation of the 2004 CNN Presidential Election Night Coverage, live from the NASDAQ MarketSite; a production that showcased the real-time poll results of the 2004 Presidential Election.

“Maribel is a versatile correspondent who brings to the table a wealth of experience in business, economic, lifestyle and entertainment reporting,” said Crum. “Her passion for communicating the intersections of finance and how it affects the consumer makes her a strong asset to our team at CNN Newsource.”
Aber is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and holds a B.A. degree in Foreign Affairs. She earned her J.D. from New York Law School.

CNN Newsource, comprised of more than 800 affiliates including TV stations and local/regional cable news channels throughout North America, is the most widely distributed syndicated news service. Through continuous digital media distribution and five digital satellite channels, CNN Newsource provides partners with the news content necessary to produce competitive newscasts. This includes: CNN Worldwide's global newsgathering resources; the collective coverage power of CNN Newsource affiliates; customized live coverage of breaking news from CNN correspondents and localized CNN Money Matters reports live from the floor of the NYSE. Additionally, CNN Newsource stations benefit from CNN Newsbeam, which provides satellite time and fiber connectivity from CNN's vast global resources at lower than market rates. CNN Newsource also helps prepare tomorrow's journalists by providing service at no charge to colleges and universities through its Newsource in the Classroom program.

Weekly Observations is back!

This is our weekly round-up of the tidbits that didn't make it to a post of their own, but are worth noting, along with news items that we've covered that may need a second look.

- Nevada caucuses: What’s CNN up to?

- Color Magazine Q&A with Soledad O'Brien.

- CNN cutting staff in Indonesia and Thailand.

- John King: Q&A #1, Q&A #2.

- CNN sorry over graphic blunder that uprooted London.

- Q&A: Nic Robertson on reporting from Syria.

- Bonnie Schneider’s NYC book party.

- CNN International's Richard Quest to keynote Business Travel Show in London.

- CNN sued over lack of closed captioning on website.

- CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 Awards deadline extended.

- Anderson Cooper's daytime talker starting to pick up ratings.

Teaser spots for the relaunch of Christiane Amanpour's weekday show have started rolling across CNN International. The 5 second spot (seen below) started running on Thursday - one day after CNN International released most of the details of the show's relaunch.

CNN earlier today announced plans for covering Saturday's Nevada Caucuses. CNN's press release is below.

CNN Press Release: CNN Plans Coverage from Nevada, Election Center for Saturday Caucuses

Anchors Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and John King will headline coverage from the CNN Election Center for the network’s live broadcast of America’s Choice 2012: The Nevada Caucuses as the Republican presidential campaign and CNN turn west Saturday, Feb. 4. Coverage will begin at 7 p.m. ET, immediately following a live, special edition of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer at 6 p.m. ET. At 11 p.m. ET, Don Lemon will anchor a live edition of CNN Newsroom.

Chief political correspondent and anchor Candy Crowley will provide coverage from the Washington bureau, while chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin will provide updates on reactions from the Obama campaign. Senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash has been reporting live from locations around Nevada in the week leading up to the caucuses. At the candidates’ Nevada campaign locations on Saturday will be: chief national correspondent Jim Acosta at Romney headquarters, White House correspondent Brianna Keilar at Gingrich headquarters, and national correspondents David Mattingly and Gary Tuchman at Paul and Santorum headquarters, respectively. Political reporter-at-large Peter Hamby will report throughout the day from the Nevada GOP “nerve center,” where caucus results will be tallied. Political director Mark Preston will be on hand from the CNN Election Center.

Chief political analyst Gloria Borger and senior political analyst David Gergen, alongside CNN political contributors Erick Erickson, Roland Martin and Will Cain, will provide insight and analysis from the CNN Election Center. CNN political contributor John Avlon and political editor Paul Steinhauser will be live from Las Vegas.


CNN Digital

Heading in to the Nevada caucuses, CNNPolitics.com will cover the events in Nevada and be the online destination for all news and analysis related to the 2012 Elections. Users can check out the CNN Election Center to track election results in real-time as well as analyze the exit polls and results thus far. Also, users can predict which candidates will win each state and eventually, the Republican presidential nomination with the interactive GOP Delegate Calculator. Additionally, CNN.com will continue to provide the CNN Electoral Map with the most recent predictions on battleground states as updated by CNN’s political team as well as the 2012 Primary Caucus Calendar, an interactive where users can slide over each month to see when states will hold their primaries and caucuses throughout the year.

On caucus night, CNN.com will live stream the network’s Nevada coverage, along with footage from caucus sites across the state as well as the candidates’ speeches from their individual campaign headquarters. Across CNN’s mobile platforms, users can watch the Nevada caucus events live via CNN’s mobile website and on the CNN apps for iPhone, iPad, Android phone and Android tablet.

To engage and comment on election news as it happens, users can view the CNN Politics Facebook page for political stories and photos, follow @CNNPolitics on Twitter for breaking developments all night and use the #CNNElections hashtag on Twitter.

CNN iReport, the network’s global participatory news community, will be asking for submissions related to the Nevada caucus, some of which will be shown across the network.


CNN en Español and CNN International

CNN en Español will offer extensive coverage of the Nevada caucuses. Starting Friday, Feb. 3, correspondent Karina Dalmas will be reporting live from Las Vegas. On Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m., Washington D.C. anchor Juan Carlos López will host a special edition of Directo USA from Atlanta joined by anchors Patricia Janiot and Fernando del Rincón, and a panel of political contributors Maria Cardona, Juan Hernandez and Roberto Izurieta to offer analysis of the events of the day.

CNN International will simulcast the domestic network’s coverage beginning at 7 p.m.


Programming Schedule for Saturday, February 4, 2012 – Nevada Caucus day

6:00pm – 7:00pm: A Special Edition of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer - LIVE
7:00pm – 11:00pm: America’s Choice 2012: The Nevada Caucuses - LIVE
11:00pm – 12:00am: CNN Newsroom (anchored by Don Lemon) - LIVE

All times Eastern.

HLN today announced a change to Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell from Monday. In an email to television writers and blogs today, HLN public relations said:

"HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell is so happy and well-adjusted she has lost her ISSUES!

Be sure to tune in starting Monday, February 6, for a fresh new look (and name) at Jane Velez-Mitchell on HLN at 7p.m. (ET) weeknights"

Along with the new look, the program drops Issues from the title. You can watch a 60 second video on the name change from show's facebook page here.

CNN today released the overnight numbers for its coverage of last night's Florida primary. TV by the numbers has the final figures here. CNN's press note below.

CNN Press Release: Nielsen Fast National data for Florida primary – Tuesday, January 31


Highlights:

CNN tops MSNBC in primetime (8-11p) and during key coverage block (7-11p)
CNN has a +64% advantage over MSNBC in primetime among target demo (25-54)
CNN showed the most primetime growth
CNN’s AC 360 tops MSNBC at 10p


During last night’s coverage of the Florida GOP primary, CNN topped MSNBC in primetime (8-11p) in both total viewers and in the key demographic adults 25-54. In total viewers CNN averaged 1.091 million, +11% more than MSNBC’s 984k and in the target demo posted 402k, an impressive +64% lead over MSNBC’s 245k. (FNC 2.504m/641k.)

CNN showed the most growth during primetime, increasing +92% among total viewers, FNC’s was up only +13% and MSNBC had a slight bump, +6% compared to the prior four non-event Tuesday averages. In the key demo, CNN increased triple digits, up +135%.

At 10p Anderson Cooper 360 also topped MSNBC in total viewers (865k vs. 841k) and had a 54% advantage over MSNBC (319k vs. 207k) in the demo 25-54.

From 7-11p, CNN also topped MSNBC in total viewers (1.041m vs. 966k) and had a +56% advantage in the demo 25-54 (377k vs. 241k). (FNC 2.442m/607k.)

CNN Press Release - February 09 Forum to be moderated by CNN International Anchor Hala Gorani at Atlanta’s Emory University

The political uprisings ignited in 2010 and 2011 in North Africa and the Middle East, labeled the ‘Arab Spring,’ have altered history and upended the balance of power in the region. The uncertainty and struggles that continue to unfold are the focus of “The ‘Arab Spring’: A Path to Democracy?,” a CNN Dialogues event that will be held at the Glenn Memorial Auditorium (1652 North Decatur Road) at Emory University in Atlanta on Thursday, Feb. 09 at 7:00pm ET.

CNN International anchor Hala Gorani will moderate a dynamic evening forum, exploring issues of democracy, women’s rights, the role of Islamists, and the role of social media in the uprisings from Tunisia to Egypt to Bahrain to Yemen with scholars, journalists, and activists. Gorani is based in Atlanta, but has reported from every country in the Middle East and North Africa, including Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. She spent much of 2011 covering the tumultuous political uprisings in the region, particularly the Egyptian revolution.

The panelists for this discussion are:

• Lamees Dharif is an award-winning journalist and activist who has been active in the Bahraini resistance campaign. She has been banned from writing by the Bahraini government since the beginning of the democracy movement there;
  
  
• Nic Robertson is a senior international correspondent, based in CNN’s London bureau. Robertson has been with the network for twenty years and covered every major global news event since that time, including war and conflict. Robertson has continued to provide key coverage for events associated with the ‘Arab Spring,’ including reporting on the democracy demonstrations and conflict in Libya, Egypt, Yemen, and Tunisia.
  
  
• Ahed Al Hendi is a founder of the Syrian Youth for Justice and has worked as a journalist for publications including The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, and The Daily Beast. He lives in the United States.
  
  
• Carrie Rosefsky Wickham is an associate professor of political science at Emory University, specializing in political opposition movements and political integration in the Arab World. She is the author of Mobilizing Islam: Religion, Activism and Political Change in Egypt: 1st Edition (2002).
  
  
• Dalia Ziada is director of the Egypt office of the American Islamic Congress which promotes education and literacy for Arab youth. She is a published poet and active in pro-democracy politics.

This is the first CNN Dialogues event of 2012. Admission for this program is free, but pre-registration is required by visiting www.cnndialogues.com, or by calling the James Weldon Johnson Institute for Race and Difference at 404.727.2515, or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights at 404.991.6988.

About CNN Dialogues
CNN Dialogues represents a partnership between CNN, Emory University’s James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study for Race and Difference and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a series of community discussions on major topics shaping our times, led by leading thinkers of the day. The planning committee for CNN Dialogues includes writer Pearl Cleage, Morehouse College President Robert Franklin, president and trustee of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Penelope McPhee, vice president for communications and marketing for Emory University Ron Sauder, executive vice president and director of programming for Atlanta’s World Affairs Council Cedric Suzman, president and CEO of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Tisha Tallman, and Eric Tanenblatt of the Atlanta-based law firm of McKenna, Long, and Aldrich.

CNN Press Release - Liza McGuirk named Executive Producer of Amanpour

Christiane Amanpour returns to CNN Worldwide this spring and will broadcast her signature program, Amanpour, in primetime in Europe and throughout the world in more than 200 countries as the centerpiece of a new CNN International lineup, it was announced today by Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International.

Each weeknight on CNN International, Amanpour will deliver the definitive international news and interview program that CNN’s worldwide audience has come to expect of the preeminent global journalist. Amanpour will air weekdays at 3 p.m. and replay at 5 p.m. (ET) on CNN International. The half-hour show will air twice during European primetime, providing viewers with an additional opportunity to tune in for a distinct take on the challenging issues facing the world.

Liza McGuirk, an award-winning producer who has more than two decades of experience in television journalism both producing and reporting, will be the executive producer of Amanpour. McGuirk will be based in New York along with Amanpour.

In the unique relationship announced in December, Amanpour’s primary role is as global affairs anchor for ABC News blazing a trail in international reporting for American viewers, in addition to her new program on CNN International reaching a vast global audience. She will continue her courageous reporting in war-torn countries for all ABC News programs, platforms and online, including her unmatched ability to land major and rare exclusive interviews with world leaders - including last year’s only interviews with Moammar Gadhafi and Hosni Mubarak. As global affairs anchor for ABC News, her ongoing assignments range from the uprisings in the Middle East to Iran's nuclear program to the Eurozone crisis. Amanpour will also report on new conflicts, natural disasters and humanitarian crises, anchor four primetime specials on ABC and continue Around the World with Christiane Amanpour, her recently launched video series for ABCNews.com and Yahoo News.

“We are delighted to see Amanpour return to the heart of CNN International’s lineup,” said Maddox. “Christiane has proven herself time and time again to be the leading international journalist in television news and with Liza’s commitment to producing compelling television, Amanpour will showcase the very best CNN has to offer.”

“I’m thrilled that Christiane’s powerful, utterly original journalistic voice will once again be heard around the world, and I look forward to helping her shape an important program at a time of great global change,” said McGuirk.

Amanpour will be at the center of a dynamic new lineup featuring existing programs International Desk, Quest Means Business, Connect the World with Becky Anderson and Piers Morgan Tonight as well as a new weekday news program anchored by CNN’s Isha Sesay, who also appears on Anderson Cooper 360°.

With the launch of Amanpour, CNN International is once again offering Europe’s primetime audience a destination program featuring one of the world’s most distinguished journalists. Known for her tough questions and extraordinary depth of knowledge, Amanpour will focus on international stories shaping the news agenda, delivering sharp analysis to an audience of more than 280 million households in more than 200 countries around the world with CNN International.

Amanpour and McGuirk have previously collaborated on a number of projects for CNN, including the award-winning 1999 documentary about Iran, Revolutionary Journey. In June 2008, McGuirk launched the Sunday morning news and discussion program Fareed Zakaria: GPS, which was nominated for an Emmy after just months of being on air. Most recently she served as the executive producer of Parker Spitzer. She also worked at CBS News for eight years, including four years producing and writing segments for the late 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley. McGuirk reports to Mike McCarthy, senior vice president of programming for CNN International.

Amanpour spent more than 25 years reporting from around the globe for CNN. Most recently, she was CNN's chief international correspondent and anchored Amanpour on CNN International from September 2009 to April 2010. In the summer of 2010, Amanpour joined ABC News and became host of ABC News’ This Week, where she was the only Sunday morning anchor nominated for an Emmy award. Her body of work has earned nine News and Documentary Emmys, four George Foster Peabody Awards, two George Polk Awards, three duPont-Columbia Awards, the Courage in Journalism Award, an Edward R. Murrow award, an inaugural Television Academy Honor and nine honorary degrees.

CNNI’s new European primetime lineup (All times Eastern): 1 p.m. International Desk; 2 p.m. Quest Means Business; 3 p.m. Amanpour; 3:30 p.m. new Isha Sesay-anchored show; 4 p.m. Connect the World with Becky Anderson; 5 p.m. Amanpour (encore); 5:30 p.m. World Sport; 6 p.m. Piers Morgan Tonight.

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.