Chris Licht Announces CNN Leadership Team

CNN CEO Chris Licht has set his executive team, firming up the direct reports who will help run the cable news channel’s global operations.

Licht’s appointments are mostly longtime CNN staffers, reflecting a desire to shift CNN’s focus toward hard news, rather than a desire to make dramatic change, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Kris Coratti Kelly’s hiring as CNN’s new head of global communications was among a series of announcements made by CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht as he filled out his leadership team, reports Deadline.

Chris Licht

In a memo to staffers, Licht said that Michael Bass would continue to serve as executive vice president of programming for CNN, while Virginia Moseley would serve as executive vice president for editorial for CNN U.S., an expanded role that includes the digital news team. Amy Entelis will continue as executive vice president of talent and content development, and Ken Jautz will stay as executive vice president of news. Sam Feist will continue as senior vice president and Washington bureau chief.

Licht also announced Johnita Due as executive vice president of integrity and inclusion, a newly created position.

He also wrote that they are undertaking a worldwide search for chief digital officer, after the departure of Andrew Morse in April. Wendy Brundige is serving as interim chief digital officer.

Licht also said that James Anderson, who has been interim head of communications, has decided to leave the company. Also departing is Calvin Sims, who has been executive vice president of standards and practices. His group will now report to Due.