Kate O'Brian

Kate O'Brian
Born 1959 (age 56–57)
New York, New York
Nationality American
Citizenship United States
Alma mater Smith College (BA)
Occupation President of Al Jazeera America
Years active 1979–Present
Employer Al Jazeera Media Network
Children 2 daughters
Parent(s) Jack O'Brian (father), Von Johnston (mother)

Kate O'Brian (born 1959) is the President of Al Jazeera America. O'Brian has full responsibility for defining and implementing the editorial strategy and operations across the network, including news, documentary and all other programming.[1] She was previously with ABC News, where she spent most of her career.

History

Formerly she was Vice-President of ABC News in charge of the news division's newsgathering since 2007 which included all ABC News bureaus worldwide, business, law and justice, medical, and investigative units, ABC NewsOne, ABC News Radio and affiliate relations.[2] Prior to that she had worked at the broadcaster for over 30 years in various roles including positions with 20/20 and Nightline.[3]

O'Brian began as an intern for 20/20, then moved on to become a television desk assistant in New York and then joined the staff of "This Week with David Brinkley" when it launched in 1981. She also held the position of general manager of programming for ABC News Radio where she was responsible for editorial content; she has also been an overseas field producer in Rome and London and a producer for "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings," both in Washington DC and New York; and manager in talent development.

O' Brian was named president of Al Jazeera America on July 22, 2013 alongside the naming of Ehab Al Shihabi as interim CEO in charge of business affairs.[4]

Al Jazeera America

O'Brian has stated that Al Jazeera America (in particular its news department) is on its way to being the "envy of the industry."[5] She has also stated that the channel will be committed to hard news not the salacious "infotainment" made popular on competitor cable news networks.[6] Under O'Brian, the channel has plans to continue to expand in both bureaus and people. Two mobile apps have been launched and new shows are also planned. The channel has also branched into airing independent documentaries and town hall sessions on particular topics.

Awards

A 30-year ABC News veteran, O'Brian has won an Alfred I. duPont Award as part of the "This Week with David Brinkley" team, an Emmy Award for the 2000 Millennium coverage, and Alfred I. duPont and a Peabody Award for September 11 coverage. In 2015, the School of Mass Communication and Journalism at Kent State University named O'Brian the winner of the Robert G. McGruder Distinguished Guest Lecture and Award for Diversity. "The award recognizes the accomplishments of media professionals who encourage diversity in the field of journalism".[7]

Personal life

Kate O'Brian is the daughter of Jack O'Brian (1914–2000), a former entertainment journalist best known for his longtime role as the New York Journal American television critic.[8] Her sister, Bridget O'Brian, is also a journalist. Bridget worked as a reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune and the Wall Street Journal and is currently at Columbia University.[9] O'Brian has two daughters.

References

External links

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