CONTACT: Julia Yager, PRI, 612.330.9231, jyager@pri.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MINNEAPOLIS, October 2, 2017 — Public Radio International (PRI), leader in and producer and distributor of multi-platform storytelling and award-winning journalism that empowers people to benefit their lives and the world, has elected Kathryn Finney and Michael Armstrong to its Board of Directors. Leaders and visionaries in digital and broadcast media, Finney and Armstrong extend the strength of PRI’s Board, long known for its strategic focus and strong governance, and comprised of representatives from the public media industry, community and philanthropic champions, and significant leaders from various business interests.
President and CEO of PRI, Alisa Miller, said of the appointments, “Now more than ever, PRI creates a more informed and empathetic world through our distinctive blend of culture, connection and trusted journalism, across platforms. Kathryn and Michael bring innovative and valuable experience in digital and broadcast media, and we’re excited to welcome them to our board.”
About Kathryn Finney: Kathryn Finney is the founder and Managing Director of didtechnology/digitalundivided (DID), a groundbreaking social enterprise focused on helping Black and Latinx women own their work using innovation and technology as a tool. Kathryn started digitalundivided after selling her company, The Budget Fashionista, one of the first lifestyle online media companies. She later became Editor at Large at BlogHer, a global organization representing over 40 million social media influencers, where she built their fashion and beauty channels prior to the company’s purchase by SheKnows Media. A graduate of Yale and Rutgers Universities, Kathryn received an Honorary Doctorate from Mount Holyoke College and has been nominated to the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance 2017 Hall of Fame Class.
About Michael D. Armstrong: Michael Armstrong is general manager of BET Networks, where he has direct oversight of content strategy and multi-platform scheduling, marketing, corporate communications and operations. Prior to assuming this role in July 2017, Michael was executive vice president and general manager, revenue and emerging brands, for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). Michael first joined the company in 1998 and held a variety of sales and affiliate marketing roles for brands including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CMT in both the New York and Chicago offices. Michael received a BS in marketing from Hampton University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a member of the International Academy of Television Entertainment Arts & Sciences, is the immediate past chair for the NAMIC (National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications) Board of Directors, is chairman of the Board for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and serves on the Board of Hampton University.
About PRI: PRI is building a more informed, empathetic, and connected world by creating multi-platform content that empowers people to benefit their lives and the world. PRI’s award-winning content reaches more than 20 million people each month, through over 900 public radio stations in the U.S. and PRI.org, and millions more through podcasts and social media. An affiliated company of WGBH, PRI produces PRI’s The World®, The Takeaway (a co-production with WNYC), and Studio 360® from PRI and Slate. It produces in-depth reporting on topics including gender equity (Across Women’s Lives), international security, and American identity and immigrant life (GlobalNation). It represents public radio programs including Science Friday, q from the CBC and The Tavis Smiley Show. Major philanthropic supporters include The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Ford Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Annenberg Foundation.