News Releases & Articles

3/06/02

NEW INITIATIVE AIMS AT INCREASING
DIVERSITY AMONG NEWS DECISION MAKERS

Chriesman & Associates announces a bold new initiative designed to tackle a significant issue facing America’s broadcast news media.  Despite years of efforts and programs, the number of managers and supervisors in the nation’s newsrooms remains disappointingly low.  This despite recent census figures showing sustained growth in the number of minorities making up the nation’s population as well as its television viewing audience.

The Media Diversity Initiative wants to turn this situation around. It is building the most extensive database available of television news producers, assignment editors, managers and other behind-the-scenes workers with a special emphasis on people of color.  It will then offer access to the database to companies and stations seeking qualified applicants to fill supervisory positions.  The goal is to make it easier for employers to find and to consider members of this rich talent pool.

The Media Diversity Initiative is a service of Chriesman & Associates, a newly-formed media company started by Willie Chriesman.  He brings to it more than two decades of experience as a broadcast news professional.  He has served in virtually every aspect of production and management in television news.  His experience includes stints in markets such as Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Denver and his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.  He has also worked for national news organizations such as CNN and Fox.  In addition to those companies, Chriesman has worked for other top broadcasters including NBC, Hearst-Argyle, ABC and   Post-Newsweek.  Most recently, he served as vice-president of news and news director for WVTM, the NBC-owned station in Birmingham.   He has also been on overseas assignments in Europe and Africa.

For more information about Chriesman & Associates and the Media Diversity Initiative, visit our website at www.chriesman.com or e-mail us at info@chriesman.com.