Public Broadcasting Atlanta (PBA)

LEADERSHIP PROFILE
President and Chief Executive Officer
Public Broadcasting Atlanta (PBA)
Atlanta, GA
We serve community, we enhance life. We educate, entertain, empower.
We broaden perspectives, create joy, expand knowledge.
And through our endeavors, we connect people to each other and the world.
-- PBA’s Mission
THE OPPORTUNITY
Based in the ninth largest U.S. metro, Public Broadcasting Atlanta (PBA)
engages over 400,000 listeners and viewers each week with award-winning
news, information, arts and music. PBA has a passionate following and 40,000
members. WABE (90.1 FM) is the dominant public radio force in Atlanta, and
PBA30 is an Emmy-winning TV presence with a growing and diverse audience.
PBA is at an exciting inflection point. This is a time of epic change in
technology, media habits and demographics. In the midst of these challenges,
and with new local competition, PBA is thriving and expanding its talent pool.
As iconic, long-serving CEO Milton Clipper prepares to retire in June 2015,
PBA seeks a bold and visionary leader for the future. During Milton Clipper’s
two decades at PBA, the organization has quadrupled in size and become a
leader in technology, program content, educational innovation and community
service.
PBA is a financially stable $12.6 million nonprofit with reserves. With a
dual format on radio (news/information and classical music), PBA has a robust
vision and strategic plan, a strong national and local reputation, a passionate
culture and talent base, and high listener and donor enthusiasm. The
organization is investing in new talent in news, digital, fundraising and
community outreach roles.
Public Broadcasting Atlanta
President and Chief Executive Officer
November, 2014
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The new CEO has a big, bold opportunity: to
lead PBA’s next phase of transformation and
growth. PBA aspires to be a top national force in
public media, and a central voice and destination
within the diverse, evolving urban Atlanta
community. PBA’s next CEO has the mandate to:
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Lead PBA to national top-tier status, and
solidify its role as Atlanta’s epicenter, for
news and cultural programming, and for
thought leadership related to public
and digital media
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Orchestrate the next phase of PBA growth in a changing, platformagnostic world
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Present a compelling mix of differentiated content that leverages local
and national assets, including local offerings that reflect metro Atlanta’s
diversity and attract national play
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Engage the full richness of the Atlanta community and audiences,
including current and emerging diverse populations and young
audiences
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Collaborate, develop and share assets across public media locally and
nationally, and with stakeholders including Atlanta Public Schools
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Grow membership and underwriting support, and develop significant
new sources of revenue
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Enhance PBA’s profile, role and reputation by engaging visibly,
frequently and integrally across the Atlanta community
PBA’s challenges include the limitations of an older facility stretched to
capacity, and the ongoing need to adapt swiftly to new changes in technology
and digital platforms, media consumption patterns and audiences.
Given the pace of change impacting PBA’s world, the new CEO is charged
with thinking ahead and moving forward. The CEO will lead nimble,
innovative and ongoing transformation that orients the organization to the
future and positions it to capitalize on change.
Public Broadcasting Atlanta
President and Chief Executive Officer
November, 2014
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THE ORGANIZATION
Since its origins 66 years ago, PBA has
occupied a unique niche in metro Atlanta and
20 surrounding counties, as the only public,
24-hour provider of news, information and arts
programming. It has a unique history of
community engagement and diverse Board
leadership that includes African-American
pioneers.
Atlanta Public Schools holds PBA’s operating
license. In 1994, the Atlanta Educational
Telecommunications Collaborative (AETC) was founded as a private nonprofit to
oversee management of WABE and WPBA. AETC’s Board of 40 is comprised of
community, civic, business and academic leaders, including representatives of
Atlanta-based universities and the Atlanta Board of Education (Atlanta Public
Schools).
In addition to national programming that includes National Public Radio (NPR),
American Public Media (APM) and PBS content, Public Broadcasting Atlanta
(PBA) offers locally-developed content and partnerships grounded in the
community. PBA partners with StoryCorps, manages the Homework Hotline
and runs Atlanta PlanIt, an arts and culture website.
With its dominant share of the public radio market in metro Atlanta and
396,600 cumulative weekly listeners spending an average 3.30 hours, WABE is
competitive relative to local commercial media. This year, WABE won
Associated Press Awards for Best Staff Coverage, Best Anchor/Reporter, Best
Specialized Reporting, Best Use of Sound and Best Investigative Reporting as
well as the Pacemaker Award. It also earned an Edward R. Murrow and three
GABBY Awards.
In the last major ratings sweep, PBA30’s prime household average audience
reached 19,000 households, up by a third in five years, and the ongoing
audience averages 16,000 households/night. The network has secured several
popular programs from Britain. PBA30 has earned 12 Southeastern Emmy
Awards and several GABBY Awards.
In FY 2014, PBA revenues climbed to $12.6 million, an increase of more
than $3 million over the past decade. Individual giving accounts for over half
the annual revenue. Two-thirds of that is generated via the pledge drives.
Public Broadcasting Atlanta
President and Chief Executive Officer
November, 2014
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Thousands of people respond to six
major on-air pledge drives a year (two
on WABE, four on PBA30). Monthly
giving, via the Sustainer program, is the
fastest-growing area, followed by the
Cornerstone Society ($1000+ annual
giving). A robust underwriting program
delivers a third of annual revenues, with
remaining revenues coming from the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting,
grants and rental income.
PBA aspires to rank among the top public media entities in America, and
to be a potent force for Atlanta’s future. In January 2013, the Board
approved a forward-looking strategic plan which provides a roadmap for growth
and a clarion call to “increase news and diversify music” on radio.
The strategic plan has four overarching strategies:
1. Maintain and grow our position as the relevant
public media provider for metro Atlanta. Goals
under this strategy include: enhancing current
audience relationships while building a younger,
more racially and ethnically diverse audience;
intensifying connectivity with the metro Atlanta
community; and enhancing industry, community
and governmental relationships.
2. Raise awareness and market to attract audiences and future donors.
The main goal is building a comprehensive brand and positioning,
“Intelligent Media,” which transcends radio, TV and digital/mobile
channels.
3. Ensure financial resources are available to achieve our goals. The
financial goal is to strengthen current approaches and pursue viable new
opportunities -- potentially via a capital campaign, growth of the
endowment, expanded major giving and earned revenue options.
4. Organize to achieve our goals. Key initiatives in this strategy are staff
recruiting, development, retention and succession plans; an improved
technical infrastructure; building a culture that encourages innovation
and action; and assessing Board structure and development in light of
the strategic plan.
Public Broadcasting Atlanta
President and Chief Executive Officer
November, 2014
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THE RESPONSIBILITIES
Public Broadcasting Atlanta seeks a CEO who is
passionate about public media and ready to lead
PBA’s next phase of transformation and growth.
The CEO will build organizational vitality, quality,
relevance and centrality in the market. She or he
will inspire diversification of content, audiences and
resources. The CEO will bring experience and a
record of success in six key areas:
1. Forward-looking and forward-moving leadership. The CEO will be a
dynamic catalyst for innovation and progressive change. He or she will be a
compelling, nimble, strategic leader who galvanizes people around vision
and ideas, goals, strategic risk-taking, and accountable progress. The CEO
will be skillful at partnering with a strong Board, and will guide the
enterprise, staff and Board forward to perennial success in a rapidlychanging marketplace.
2. Vision for the future of public media. The CEO will have relevant
experience, knowledge and vision about the emerging world of media,
content and technology. As the head of an organization with a news
operation, the CEO will preserve and protect journalistic freedom. She or he
will re-envision the role that public media can play in the daily lives of a
more diverse cross-section of audiences, building on the strengths and
heritage of PBA. The CEO will be insightful about new and emerging media
habits and platforms, demographics, content and technologies, as well as
fundraising and revenue trends.
3. Resource growth. The CEO will be exceptionally good at cultivating and
engaging with donors and potential supporters of all kinds. Through skillful
relationship building, passion for the mission and ability to project vision,
the CEO will foster new engagement and investment from volunteers,
donors, underwriters and the Board. In addition to expanding individual
giving and underwriting support, the CEO will
create new growth opportunities in capital, earned
revenue and other sources of support.
4. External representation. The CEO will be a
compelling speaker and presence who commands
the attention and respect of donors, community
leaders, partners, policy makers and the media.
The CEO will be a potent advocate for public media,
Public Broadcasting Atlanta
President and Chief Executive Officer
November, 2014
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and instrumental in elevating PBA’s profile in Atlanta and nationally.
Through marketing, outreach, partnership, personal interaction and public
speaking, PBA will increase its visibility and reputation as a thought leader,
and as integral to the news, cultural and digital media realms in the Atlanta
community and nationally.
5. Management. The CEO will be a strategic developer and manager of people
and the business. She or he will promote innovation, collaboration and a
culture that rewards deliberate, calculated risk taking. The CEO will create
an environment of trust and transformation, inspiring staff to innovate and
achieve their best. She or he will be comfortable across the spectrum of
fostering consensus and making tough decisions. The CEO will foster a
culture that rewards ideas, transparency, accountability, measurement,
results and learning.
6. Relationships and collaboration. The CEO will be passionate about the
Atlanta community and its diversity. He or she will be an engaging,
authentic and proactive developer of relationships and partnerships. The
CEO will create synergies with other public media entities, Atlanta Public
Schools, and partners throughout metro Atlanta. By listening, caring and
engaging with people, the CEO will build strong relationships with Board
members, civic, corporate and nonprofit leaders, donors and partners of all
kinds.
THE CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a compelling leader with
knowledge, passion and experience relevant to
leading PBA. The CEO will have passion for media,
the public square and the metro Atlanta community.
She or he will have demonstrated success in
complex, changing contexts that require vision,
resource growth, and savvy about technology and
communications.
CEO assets being sought include:
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A charismatic, energizing and inviting presence.

High emotional intelligence, listening and communication skills. Interest
in hearing fresh ideas, regardless of the source.
Public Broadcasting Atlanta
President and Chief Executive Officer
November, 2014
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Ability to lead, empower, excite and inspire people to work together and
accomplish great things.

Self-awareness and self-confidence, the strength and the courage to do
and say what is bold and right.

Depth of cultural and racial sensitivity. Ability to relate and connect well
with people of diverse backgrounds, interests and talents.

A predilection to action.

Ability to develop positive, productive relationships with Board members
and staff, donors, public media colleagues, partners, legislators and
leaders throughout the Atlanta community.

An instinct to collaborate.

Financial and business acumen, coupled with entrepreneurial spirit.

A sense of humor.
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A good PBA cultural fit.
THE LOCATION
PBA is located in midtown Atlanta,
Georgia. Atlanta is the nation’s 9th largest
media market -- with an inclusive,
progressive history of collaboration and
growth. Atlanta and its 20 surrounding
communities are home to over five million
residents and the world’s busiest airport.
The Atlanta metro area hosts six major
institutions of higher learning, fifteen
Fortune 500 companies, and some of the
world’s most visible public-benefit and
nonprofit organizations.
Public Broadcasting Atlanta
President and Chief Executive Officer
November, 2014
Page 8 of 8
THE RELATIONSHIPS
The CEO manages a full-time staff of 80+ and reports to the Board of Directors
of AETC (Atlanta Educational Telecommunications Collaborative), the entity
that oversees management of PBA.
Reports to
Chair, Board of Directors
Directly
Manages
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COO
CFO
SVP of Human Resources
Works closely
with PBA
departments
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Radio
TV
Community Engagement
Governmental Affairs
Engineering
IT
Digital & Social Media
Individual Giving
Underwriting
Communications
Donors of all kinds
Civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders
Nonprofits, individuals and communities
Public policy makers
Partners
Builds key
relationships
For potential consideration or to suggest a prospect, please email
[email protected]
or call
Kathy Bremer, John Sparrow, or Ayanna Hunt at 404-BoardWalk
(404-262-7392).
For the current status of this and other searches, please visit
www.BoardWalkConsulting.com