CNN Press Release - Jeff Zucker will join CNN Worldwide as president of the multi-platform global news enterprise, it was announced today by Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of CNN parent company Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.  In January 2013, Zucker will assume executive oversight of a portfolio of 23 branded news and information businesses that includes CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN.com and HLN and reaches more than 2 billion people in some 200 countries around the world.  Zucker will report to Kent and will be based at CNN in New York.

Zucker started his 25-year career with NBC as a researcher for NBC Sports' coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games and rose to president and chief executive officer of NBC Universal.  He was named executive producer of Today in January 1992; under his eight-year leadership, the program was the most-watched morning news show and the most profitable program on television.  Zucker went on to executive-produce NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and the network's coverage of the Persian Gulf War, the 1993 and 1997 presidential inaugurations and the 2000 elections.  He was promoted to president of NBC Entertainment, president of the NBC Entertainment, News & Cable group and president and CEO of the NBC Universal Television Group.  Currently, Zucker is executive producer of the syndicated daytime show Katie.

"Jeff's experience as a news executive is unmatched for its breadth and success," said Kent.  "He built and sustained the number-one brand in morning news, and under his watch NBC's signature news programming set a standard for quality and professionalism.  As a programmer, a brand-builder and a leader, he will bring energy and new thinking to CNN.  I couldn't be happier to welcome him or more excited about what he'll accomplish here."

"I am thrilled to join the distinguished team of journalists across the worldwide platforms of CNN," said Zucker.  "The global reach and scale of the CNN brand is unparalleled in all of news.  Outside of my family and the Miami Dolphins, there is nothing I am as passionate about as journalism.  I spent the most rewarding years of my career as a journalist, and it's where I look forward to spending many more.  I am grateful to Phil Kent for this opportunity, and I'm excited to return to daily newsgathering and compelling storytelling in a place that values those above all else."

The original 24-hour news network, CNN has the greatest reach of any domestic news network.  The CNN brand on television extends to 100 million households in the U.S. and 265 million households abroad, with significant online and mobile reach and a global newsgathering network with 45 locations.  CNN signatures include Anderson Cooper 360°, The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, Piers Morgan Tonight, State of the Union, Amanpour and Quest Means Business, as well as award-winning documentaries, unrivaled breaking news coverage and peerless political reporting.

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 International will launch a new morning news program for Asia-Pacific viewers from this coming Monday.

CNN Newsroom Live from Hong Kong is described by CNN as an "essential morning briefing ... reporting on the top stories from Asia Pacific and across the world, from business to sport, weather, technology and entertainment."

The new program, anchored by Andrew Stevens and Patricia Wu, airs weekdays between 6:00am and 8:00am (Hong Kong). A 20 second promotional spot is below.


In related news, Pauline Chiou replaces Andrew Stevens as the Hong Kong-based co-anchor of World Business Today. Stevens was bid a fond farewell from the twice-daily business program last week. Video below courtesy of forum member ginnyfan.

CNN International has merged the Asia-Pacific-focused travel website CNNGo.com with a new global digital travel enterprise - CNN Travel. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: CNN International today announced the launch of a new digital channel, CNN Travel, expected to become the most dynamic, engaging and relevant online destination for the world's luxury, business and leisure travelers.

Through a network of more than 800 travel contributors around the world, CNN Travel delivers up-to-the-minute travel news, destination insights, inspirational travel ideas, original observation and thoroughly-researched city and country insider guides with directions to the world's hottest restaurants, bars, hotels and activities.

CNN Travel brings together the best of CNN's existing digital travel portfolio and CNNGo.com, the successful Asia Pacific-focused travel start-up launched in 2009. The Hong Kong-headquartered team which launched CNNGo.com and has managed the popular site ever since, will continue at the helm of the international CNN Travel platform, working with international travel contributors to provide users with the distinct voice, authority and local insights which have made CNNGo.com such a hit.  

"CNN Travel takes the best of CNNGo.com, shakes it up and expands its horizons to create an online travel destination unlike anything else out there. We are incredibly proud of the success CNNGo.com has had over the last three years and are thrilled to be taking it global with the creation of CNN Travel," said Andrew Demaria, editor in chief of CNN Travel.

"CNN Travel's blend of reporting, global network, international partnerships, contemporary voice and social media reach will position the site as a compelling travel destination," said Peter Bale, Vice President and General Manager of CNN International Digital. "What Andrew calls ‘CNN in jeans' gives the site a fresh and vibrant tone."

"CNN.com has launched a series of groundbreaking initiatives throughout 2012, including our partnership with Facebook around the U.S. Elections, CNN Trends, and CNN Soundwaves. CNN Travel is an outstanding addition to this roster and we are confident our international users will quickly embrace the site's unique tone and reportage," Bale added.

CNN Travel features standalone destination guides on Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, along with dedicated sections on Travel News, Aviation, Hotels, Food and Drink amongst others.

CNN today announced the appointment of Sara Ganim as an Atlanta-based correspondent. CNN's press release below.

CNN Press Release: Sara Ganim will join CNN as a correspondent based in Atlanta, it was announced today by Terence Burke, vice president of newsgathering for CNN/U.S.

Ganim (@sganim) joins CNN from The Patriot News in Harrisburg, Penn.  While at The Patriot News, Ganim broke the story of the grand jury investigation into Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator for the storied Penn State University football program.  Her reporting of Sandusky’s child sex abuse scandal that enveloped the school, head coach Joe Paterno and Sandusky’s Second Mile Charity garnered a Pulitzer Prize in 2012. Along with her print journalism experience, she has also served as an on-air contributor for CNN, HLN and In Session during Sandusky’s trial and conviction.

Prior to her work at The Patriot News, Ganim reported for the Centre Daily Times covering crime and the courts, and freelanced as a high-school student for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

 “Sara is multi-talented, and a relentless reporter. Her instincts and her robust questioning while covering the Sandusky trial and the Penn State community are a testament to her award-winning journalism,” said Burke.  “We are very fortunate to have her join our newsgathering team and we believe she has a bright future with CNN.”

Ganim holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State University.  In 2011, she was honored with the George Polk Award in journalism and the Sidney Award for socially-conscious journalism.

Best-selling author and chef Anthony Bourdain made his first appearance on CNN since the network announced his new CNN show in June. Appearing on Piers Morgan Tonight, Bourdain spruiked his new CNN program and revealed the show will feature episodes from Myanmar and The Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Earlier today, CNN released a promotional spot with Bourdain.


Anthony Bourdain "Parts Unknown" will debut on CNN Domestic and CNN International early next year.