{"id":12029,"date":"2015-01-23T12:45:37","date_gmt":"2015-01-23T16:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=12029"},"modified":"2015-01-23T12:45:37","modified_gmt":"2015-01-23T16:45:37","slug":"andrew-lack-sworn-in-as-ceo-of-the-broadcasting-board-of-governors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/andrew-lack-sworn-in-as-ceo-of-the-broadcasting-board-of-governors\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew Lack sworn-in as CEO of the Broadcasting Board of Governors"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Jeff<\/a>

Jeff Shell, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, congratulates Andy Lack after swearing him in as the first ever CEO of U.S. international media. (Image Source: BBG Press Release)<\/p><\/div>\n

Below, you’ll find the full press release from the BBG regarding Andy Lack’s appointment. At the end of the press release I’ve noted another article from the NY Times.<\/p>\n

(Source: BBG Press Release)<\/p>\n

WASHINGTON \u2013 Respected journalist and media executive Andrew Lack was sworn-in today as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the federal agency that oversees the five networks and broadcasting operations of U.S. international media. Those networks include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty, Radio and TV Mart\u00ed, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.<\/p>\n

Lack is the first-ever CEO of U.S. international media. Creating the position of a CEO has been a key objective of the agency\u2019s governing board and the Administration.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are at a unique time in the extraordinary history of this agency. The 21st Century\u2019s global war on information is increasingly threatening to our country and our values,\u201d said Lack. \u201cI am lucky to join a great group of journalists and news professionals spread across the globe who care so deeply about our critical role in that battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lack\u2019s selection follows an almost year-long search process that began in October 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo say we are fortunate that Andy has agreed to accept this challenge is a huge understatement,\u201d said Jeff Shell, Chairman of the BBG. \u201cHe is an experienced media executive, a respected journalist, and an energetic and inspirational leader. We are grateful that Andy has decided to serve his country and lead the BBG at this critical juncture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prior to being selected by the BBG, Lack served as the Chairman of the Bloomberg Media Group. He joined Bloomberg in October 2008 as CEO of its Global Media Group and was responsible for expanding television, radio, magazine, conference and digital businesses.<\/p>\n

Previous to joining Bloomberg, Lack was Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, where he led the company\u2019s roster of prominent international artists and vast catalog of recorded music from around the world. Before joining Sony Music Entertainment, he was president and chief operating officer of NBC, where he oversaw entertainment, news (including MSNBC and CNBC), NBC stations, sales and broadcast and network operations. He was responsible for expanding the Today show to three hours and creating the show\u2019s street-side studio in New York\u2019s Rockefeller Center.<\/p>\n

From 1993 to 2001, Lack was president of NBC News, which he transformed into America\u2019s most-watched news organization through NBC Nightly News, Meet the Press, Today and Dateline NBC.<\/p>\n

Before going to NBC, Lack spent much of his television career at CBS News. After joining in 1976, within a year, he became a prominent producer for 60 Minutes and subsequently, senior executive producer of CBS Reports. Lack\u2019s broadcasts at CBS earned numerous honors, including 16 Emmy Awards and 4 Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Journalism Awards.<\/p>\n

Lack received a bachelor\u2019s degree from the College of Fine Arts at Boston University, where he is currently a trustee.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Richard Cuff also notes this article about Andrew Lack from the NY Times.<\/a>\u00a0An excerpt:<\/p>\n

Before Mr. Lack\u2019s appointment, day-to-day international broadcasting operations were overseen by a board that had become known more for its dysfunction than for managing broadcast programs that reach more than 200 million people every week. Now, with Mr. Lack at the helm, the feeling in the agency and in Congress is that the broadcasting board is better positioned to counter the increasing hostile and suspicious views of Americans aboard, and more forcefully engage international rivals such as China and Russia in the high-stakes information war.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I was particularly drawn to to a quote by Ted Lipien, a former VOA staffer and outspoken critic of the BBG<\/a>. Mr Lipen states:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m quite optimistic, and if anyone can turn the organization around, it\u2019s [Andrew Lack], given his background,\u201d […]\u201cBut he faces immense challenges.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Indeed, “immense challenges” may even be an understatement.<\/p>\n

Bon courage<\/em> to you, Mr. Lack! Let’s certainly hope for the best.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Below, you’ll find the full press release from the BBG regarding Andy Lack’s appointment. At the end of the press release I’ve noted another article from the NY Times. (Source: BBG Press Release) WASHINGTON \u2013 Respected journalist and media executive Andrew Lack was sworn-in today as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Broadcasting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,960,3,43],"tags":[3538,406,936,3539],"class_list":["post-12029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-andrew-lack","tag-bbg","tag-broadcasting-board-of-governors","tag-ted-lipien"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-381","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12535,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/leaving-so-soon-the-bbg-may-lose-their-new-ceo-andy-lack\/","url_meta":{"origin":12029,"position":0},"title":"Leaving so soon? The BBG may lose their new CEO, Andy Lack","author":"Thomas","date":"March 3, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0Dan Robinson, who shared links to several\u00a0news stories that propose Andrew Lack may be leaving the CEO position of the Broadcasting Board of Governors to return to NBC. Here's a clip from the Washington Post: Former NBC news president and former Bloomberg Media chairman Andy Lack, who was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Jeff Shell, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, congratulates Andy Lack after swearing him in as the first ever CEO of U.S. international media. 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Click here to read BBG Watch's full story.","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"BBG-Logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/BBG-Logo-300x207.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7705,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/10\/bbg-changes-us-shortwave-broadcasts-under-microscope\/","url_meta":{"origin":12029,"position":2},"title":"BBG changes: US shortwave broadcasts under microscope","author":"Thomas","date":"October 25, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It appears the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG)--the bi-partisan board who oversees all international broadcasts generated by the US government--is making some changes to its structure. One of those changes will be the formation of a special committee to examine \"the efficacy of shortwave radio transmissions.\" See full press release\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"voa logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/11\/a999voalogo_2050081722-26491.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3377,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/bbg-watch-ashe-seeks-comments-on-u-s-international-broadcasting\/","url_meta":{"origin":12029,"position":3},"title":"BBG Watch: Ashe seeks comments on U.S. international broadcasting","author":"Thomas","date":"April 23, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"This is a great opportunity to communicate directly with a BBG member who wants your input regarding upcoming changes to US international broadcasting: (Source: BBG Watch) Often referred to as a senior Republican member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), Ambassador Victor Ashe has invited the public, including BBG\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/BBG-Logo-300x207.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23021,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/broadcasting-board-of-governors-reduced-to-advisory-status\/","url_meta":{"origin":12029,"position":4},"title":"Broadcasting Board of Governors reduced to advisory status","author":"Thomas","date":"December 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: BBG Watch via Dan Robinson) President Barack Obama has signed into law S. 2943, the \u201cNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017,\u201d which includes a provision to reduce the Broadcasting Board of Governors\u2019 (BBG) governing board to an advisory status while making the BBG CEO position subject to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6991,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/victor-ashe-joins-cusib-after-leaving-the-broadcasting-board-of-governors\/","url_meta":{"origin":12029,"position":5},"title":"Victor Ashe joins CUSIB after leaving the Broadcasting Board of Governors","author":"Thomas","date":"August 7, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Without a doubt, Victor Ashe has championed US international broadcasting on the Broadcasting Board of Governors and has voiced his support for continued funding of the Edward R. 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