CNN today announced the appointment of Vinni Malhotra to senior vice president of development and acquisitions. CNN's press release below.

CNN Press Release: VINNIE MALHOTRA JOINS CNN AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITIONS

Vinnie Malhotra, a former program development executive at ESPN and long-time ABC News producer, joins CNN as senior vice president for development and acquisitions, it was announced by Mark Whitaker, CNN Worldwide managing editor.

Based in Los Angeles, Malhotra will report to Amy Entelis, senior vice president for talent and content development. He will pursue development opportunities with outside production companies on behalf of the various networks of CNN Worldwide.

“Vinnie has a strong record of creating captivating programming, an award-winning news background covering major national and international stories, and experience integrating content across multiple platforms.” said Entelis. “We welcome Vinnie to CNN and are thrilled to have him join our team.”

Malhotra joined ESPN in 2010 as vice president, executive producer, content development. In this position, he was responsible for the development of films that includeEverything in Between: The Tim Tebow Story, The Color Orange, The Brady 6 and The Marinovich Project. He also developed scripted and non-scripted series for the network, and was part of the development team that created the new ESPN Quarterback rating “Total QBR” that is now being used in association with all NFL coverage on ESPN.

Malhotra began his career with ABC News in 1997 and worked on several of the news organization’s signature programs including Nightline and World News Tonight, and served as a producer for Peter Jennings for three years. He later worked with co-anchors Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff and was part of the convoy in Iraq when Woodruff and a cameraman were hit by an IED in January 2006. Malhotra was uninjured.

During his thirteen years at ABC News, Malhotra covered major global events including the Iraq War and the inauguration of President Barack Obama. From 2007 to 2010, Malhotra was executive producer of ABC News’ weekend news content, includingWorld News Saturday and World News Sunday, and oversaw the weekend editorial content and production for ABCNEWS.com and ABC News Now, among other ABC News digital platforms.

Malhotra has received numerous industry honors including five News and Documentary Emmy Awards and a duPont.

Malhotra is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and communications.