PBS NewsHour Names Executive Director of Digital Strategy and Podcast Producer, Promotes within for Managing Editor

Washington, D.C. (January 7, 2019) — As part of its effort to vastly expand and transform the PBS NewsHour online with the addition of nine new full-time positions, executive producer and WETA SVP Sara Just announces the hires of James Williams as executive director of digital strategy and Vika Aronson as the NewsHour’s first podcast producer. Williams, a former VP of digital video at National Geographic, will guide the NewsHour in optimizing its brand reach, and focusing goals and opportunities across digital platforms. Aronson, most recently a podcast producer at Panoply and EW Scripps, will manage the launch of new audio products in 2019. The PBS NewsHour’s digital news editor Erica R. Hendry has also been promoted to managing editor for the PBS NewsHour online, where she’ll oversee the NewsHour’s editorial across digital platforms.

“As we continue to grow and expand the NewsHour’s presence online and on social, these hires are a crucial step in reaching audiences in the places they are looking for news and insight,” said Just. “I’m thrilled to have James’ expertise as part of our leadership team, where he will hone and focus our digital efforts and innovations. While our broadcast content has been successful in the podcasting space for some time, we are delighted to be launching new original podcasting products, with Vika leading the charge. Stay tuned for news about forthcoming NewsHour podcasts.”

Just added: “Erica has played a key role as part of our senior digital team and will now be stepping into greater responsibility, where her creative vision and dedication to journalistic excellence will shine.”

At National Geographic from 2014-17, Williams developed and executed new short-form digital video content, with a focus on data and audience metrics. Previously, he held several roles at Discovery Communications, including as an executive producer for Discovery Digital Networks and lead video producer for Discovery News. Williams most recently managed his own social media and digital consulting business. Projects he contributed to or managed at Discovery and National Geographic were recognized with multiple Webby Awards, an Emmy Award, and a CINE Golden Eagle, and at National Geographic, he was part of the team that was named a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for Exploratory Reporting, among other recognitions. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech.

At Panoply, Aronson co-produced the podcast Business Schooled with Alexis Ohanian, and at EW Scripps – parent company of Stitcher – she developed and produced new podcasts. Aronson’s work has appeared on NPR member station KALW, Today Explained, The Kitchen Sisters, and KPFA Radio. Aronson is a graduate of Skidmore College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government.

Hendry joined the NewsHour in 2017 from WAMU, where she served as a senior multi-platform producer for The Diane Rehm Show. Prior to that, she served as a digital producer at Al Jazeera America for the network’s primetime news magazine show, America Tonight, and as a reporter and producer at Smithsonian Magazine. Hendry is a graduate of Ithaca College where she earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelor of Music in Tuba.

These hires and promotion are part of the NewsHour’s plan to grow its digital bench by 69 percent. Additional employment opportunities, including for digital reporting, video production, online development and social media editing, are listed here.

Media Contact: Nick Massella
nmassella@newshour.org