NJN Announces Change in Interim Management

STATEWIDE – Howard J. Blumenthal has announced that on September 17, 2010, he will conclude his one-year term as Interim Executive Director of NJN Public Television and Radio, and Interim President of the NJN Foundation, the non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports public media in New Jersey.

According to Stephanie Hoopes Halpin, Commissioner of the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority (NJPBA), who served on the selection committee, Blumenthal successfully fulfilled his charge to manage the current organization and build a long-term plan for NJN’s future.

“Howard led his management team in an intensive analysis of NJN’s finances, technologies, programming and brand,” said Halpin, “and then engaged more than half the NJN staff in an institution-wide planning process to build a new Operating Plan and Project Plan for a new NJN. NJPBA Commissioners and members of the NJN Foundation Board of Trustees, along with community members, also participated in this dynamic, creative process. Howard was hired for a six-to-nine month engagement, and we are deeply grateful to him that he gave us a full year of his time and talent.”

NJN Foundation Chair Douglas S. Eakeley added, “Howard is a true visionary and has pointed NJN in the right direction - - to take advantage of the dramatic changes in digital media, to embrace diversity, and to pursue a cost-effective path that leads to a world-class public media service for communities throughout the state and the region. His leadership and industry knowledge have guided our strategic planning process, and the Foundation looks forward to his good counsel in the months ahead.”

“I’m grateful to the staff and to the many dedicated volunteer Board members who participated in a year of intensive planning. Now, the State government and the people of New Jersey will determine the future structure of NJN,” Blumenthal explains.

“I look forward to a vibrant and economically sustainable future for NJN that sets the standard for community engagement through public media--a future that embraces creativity, diversity, innovation, partnerships, public affairs, education, new technologies, original New Jersey-centric programs and projects for all platforms, and so much more.”

Blumenthal will resume his full-time duties as CEO of Independence Media and its three television channels - - MiND: Media Independence, Global MiND, and MHz Worldview.

Janice Selinger, currently Acting Chief Operating Officer of NJN, will serve as Acting Executive Director of NJN and Acting President of the NJN Foundation.

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