WHYY’s VP of news leaves post after 7 years

WHYY Chief Executive Officer William J. Marrazzo today told staff members that Chris Satullo, who ran the station’s news and civic dialogue operation, would be leaving. Following is the text of the email that Marrazzo sent to staff members:

 

Good afternoon,

 

Let me take this opportunity to share with you information about a change in the executive leadership team at WHYY. Specifically, Chris Satullo, our Vice President for News & Civic Dialogue, has decided to move on from WHYY to other activities.

Chris joined WHYY in 2008 following a distinguished career at the Philadelphia Inquirer. During his tenure here, Chris was committed to the development of multiple news strategies that kept members of our audiences engaged in this community…whether online, over the air or through his unique brand of civic engagement work.

As you all know, under Chris’ leadership we launched and grew our newest digital news offering, NewsWorks, while expanding our core news and information reporting capabilities. Other achievements like Keystone Crossroads, State Impact and Plan Philly, while expanding WHYY’s footprint across the three-state region, also led to the deployment of collaborative journalism business models that are now seen at the fore front of the national news scene.

Chris is a person with a seasoned point of view. So it was no surprise that his weekly Centre Square commentaries not only informed our audiences but encouraged, and even provoked them, into thinking hard about the pressing issues of our community.

And much of this work resulted in WHYY’s receipt of numerous peer recognitions for excellence in journalism. Too numerous to mention here, rightfully Chris is most proud of his leadership over the State Impact work that led to our receipt of the 2013 duPont – Columbia University Award, the broadcast industry equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize and one of the highest forms of recognition found in our industry.

Chris’ expertise in developing civic dialogue experiences has also allowed WHYY to live up to our promise of offering audiences the ability to help shape the priorities of our information services. While he has been unwavering in his commitment to preserve the editorial independence and ethical integrity of our journalistic team, he has taught us how to be open toinput from the very people we are in the business of serving. An exceptional way to further distinguish WHYY’s news & information services!

I congratulate and thank Chris for all of his contributions to WHYY’s audience. I wish Chris only the best as he moves to the next step in his career. And gratefully, Chris has indicated that he will continue to make himself available to WHYY for assistance with special journalism projects. With Chris, I also tip my hat to the many new and veteran newsroom colleagues who have supported the growth of our newsroom’s impact. I know firsthand how grateful Chris is to each and every one of them; I know I am!

Chris’ last day with WHYY will be September 11th. He will be off site starting close of business this Friday. I will shortly name an interim leader of the tri-state news operations to provide on-site leadership of our news operations and at the same time, will initiate a search for a successor for Chris, considering both external and internal candidates.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this change. Also, you may direct any press inquiries to Art Ellis. His office number is 215.351.1262 or his cell is 267.254.3686.

Regards, and if I don’t get the chance to speak to you before, please have a safe and pleasant Labor Day holiday.

Bill