Andrew Morse

Andrew Morse
Born (1974-03-10) March 10, 1974 (age 50)
Potomac, Maryland, U.S
Alma materCornell University (BA)
OccupationTelevision news executive
Known for
TitlePresident and publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SpouseAna-Karina Morse (m. 2004)
ChildrenCecilia-Ava Morse, Holden Morse
Parent(s)Erica Ritter Morse
Lewis F. Morse

Andrew Morse (born March 10, 1974)[1] is an American journalist and news executive. He is president and publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.[2]

He was the Executive Vice President of CNN US, as well as EVP and chief digital officer of CNN Worldwide from 2013 until 2022.[3] Morse is also the co-founder of Great Big Story, a digital storytelling network.[4] He previously held executive, editorial and production roles at ABC News and Bloomberg L.P.

Early life and education

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Morse was born in Potomac, Maryland, the son of Erica (born Ritter) and Lewis F. Morse.[5][6]

He attended the Landon School, an independent boys day school in Bethesda, Maryland, for his grade school education. He graduated from Cornell University, where he majored in government and was the editor-in-chief of The Cornell Daily Sun.[7] In 2009, he was a Fellow of the Punch Sulzberger Executive News Media Leadership Program at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.[8]

Career

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ABC News (1996–2011)

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Morse joined ABC News as a desk assistant and production coordinator for its Washington Bureau in 1997. He was an associate producer for ABC News.com when it launched that year, beginning his lifelong career in digital news. From 1998 to 2001, he was an assignment editor and producer at ABC's London bureau.[9] In 2001, he tracked the voyage of Team Adventure as they attempted to break the record for the fastest Transatlantic crossing.[10]

He was the Asia bureau chief and producer from 2002 until 2005. He led ABC's coverage of events like the War in Afghanistan, Iraq War, 2011 Egyptian revolution, 2010 Haiti earthquake, 2004 South Asia Tsunami and the 2002 Bali bombings.[9] In 2003, Morse filmed his ascent to the Mount Everest Base Camp as part of a special celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest.[11] He spent two weeks reporting from North Korea in 2004.[12] During this visit, he was detained, and had his notes and video footage confiscated by the Korean Friendship Association.[13]

After returning to the United States in 2005, Morse was a senior producer for the network's early morning programmes, including the weekend edition of World News Now, and Good Morning America.[14] From 2007 to 2010, Morse was the Executive Producer of Good Morning America Weekend.[1][15] He also served as Executive Producer of Innovation, overseeing ABC's digital portfolio, including the 24-hour broadband channel ABC News Now, as well as the development and launch of its iPad and iPhone applications.[16] Morse is credited with developing The Quick Fix, a short-form online news programme which launched in 2009. The programme was more conversational and irreverent tone, which drew in younger audiences.[17] He also oversaw ABC's first media partnership with Facebook in 2008.[18]

Bloomberg (2011–2013)

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Morse was head of the Bloomberg television network in the U.S. from 2011 to 2013.[19] While at Bloomberg, he launched a new programming slate, built up the network's technology coverage and the San Francisco Bureau. He led Bloomberg's work in digital programming[20] and expanded its viewership beyond its core audience.[21] He also produced the network's first Presidential Debate and coverage of the 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions.[22][23]

CNN (2013–2022)

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In 2013, Morse became senior vice president of editorial at CNN US Television. Morse managed U.S. newsgathering and the D.C. bureau operations, including all political coverage.[24] Jeff Zucker stated that Morse's hire was meant to connect the network's digital and television newsgathering efforts.[24]

In 2014, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager of CNN Digital Worldwide, in addition to his editorial role. He managed its editorial, product, technology, business development and partnerships.[25][26] He managed various platforms including CNN.com, CNN Underscored, CNN Audio, and Vault by CNN.[27][28][29]

CNN Digital expanded significantly during his tenure,[30][31] and partnered with distributors like Apple TV, Roku, Pluto TV, Samsung and Snapchat Discover.[32][33] He oversaw the acquisition of Canopy, a technology company specializing in data privacy and content recommendation.[34] In 2020, Fast Company included CNN Digital on its list of the "Best Workplaces for Innovators".[35]

Morse spearheaded CNN+, the network’s streaming service, oversaw the content and product development, as well as the hiring of 500 employees and on air talent. He also secured funding from WarnerMedia and AT&T.[36] CNN+ launched on March 29, 2022.[37]

Great Big Story

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Morse co-founded Great Big Story with Chris Berend, as a separate operation from CNN.[38] The start-up launched in October 2015 as a social and mobile-first video streaming network not focused on news content.[39][40][41]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2023–present)

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Morse became president and publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in January 2023. During his tenure, Morse began a process of expanding the publication's digital subscriber base, local coverage, op-eds, and digital content, including newsletters and other media.[42][43] The AJC also expanded into filmmaking, creating its first feature length documentary, The South Got Something To Say.[44] Morse has also overseen the launch of new products related to politics, such as Politically Georgia,[45] and products related to Black culture like U-ATL.[46] In 2024, the publication launched a mobile application and an updated website.[47]

Awards and honors

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Morse has received numerous awards and nominations over the course of his career. He has been nominated for several Emmy Awards, winning two. Morse was named one of the "Changemakers in Media" by Digiday in 2017.[48] He was also included on Variety's "New Power of New York List 2017."[49] In 2018, Morse was awarded the Media Visionary Award for his commitment to the community.[50][51]

Year Award Association
2018 Media Visionary Award
2010 News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Coverage of a Current News Story – Long Form 2010 Emmy Awards
2004 News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Investigative Journalism in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast 2004 Emmy Awards

Personal life

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He is married to Ana Karina Burdsall; they have two children.[52] His wife is a writer, and was the president of the board of directors of ECPAT USA.[53] He is a marathon runner and triathlete, having completed an Ironman in 2019.[54]

Filmography

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Year Title Credited as Notes
2011 Target: Bin Laden Executive producer TV documentary
2009–2011 ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Executive producer 2 episodes
2005–2010 Good Morning America Weekend Executive producer, senior producer
2005–2006 Good Morning America Senior producer
2004 Primetime Segment producer 1 episode

References

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  1. ^ a b "SO WHAT DO YOU DO, ANDREW MORSE, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, GOOD MORNING AMERICA WEEKEND?". Mediabistro. January 23, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  2. ^ "Andrew Morse". ajc.
  3. ^ Barr, Jeremy (November 4, 2014). "The 60 Second Interview With Andrew Morse". Capital New York. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  4. ^ Kessler, Sarah (October 20, 2015). "CNN Launches Great Big Story, Its Answer To Vice And Buzzfeed". Fast Company. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  5. ^ "JCRC At The Parade And Gala - Gala honorees are CNN's Morse, philanthropists Ben and Tom Blumberg" (PDF). Jewish Community Relations Council. May 4, 2018. I owe a great deal to my parents, Ricky and Lew Morse, who fortunately couldn't be here tonight
  6. ^ "Blossom A. Ritter". The Washington Post. March 27, 2008.
  7. ^ CNN Profile. "Andrew Morse Bio". CNN. Retrieved February 12, 2016. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ "Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program | Columbia Journalism School". journalism.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  9. ^ a b Sellers, John (2011-06-16). "Andrew Morse Named Head of Bloomberg Television U.S." Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  10. ^ "Catamaran Attempts Trans-Atlantic Record". ABC News. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  11. ^ "Nightline Daily E-Mail". ABC News. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  12. ^ Bärtås, Magnus; Ekman, Fredrik (2015-03-27). All Monsters Must Die: An Excursion to North Korea. House of Anansi. ISBN 978-1-77089-881-3.
  13. ^ "North Korea's faithful Western employee makes no apologies". Los Angeles Times. 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  14. ^ report,AP, Staff; report, Staff; AP (2007-06-22). "Morse named 'Good Morning' exec. vp". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  15. ^ Empty,AP; Empty; AP (2007-06-22). "Morse up for 'GMA' duties". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  16. ^ Press Release (June 16, 2011). "Andrew Morse Joins Bloomberg As Head of U.S. Television". Bloomberg News. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  17. ^ "Seeking New News Formulas, ABC Tries A 'Quick Fix'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  18. ^ "Andrew Morse named head of Bloomberg TV". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  19. ^ Hume, Tim (June 16, 2011). "Andrew Morse named head of Bloomberg TV". TV Newser. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  20. ^ Thielman, Sam (2011-06-16). "Bloomberg TV taps Andrew Morse". Variety. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  21. ^ "Morse sends message at Bloomberg TV". New York Post. 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  22. ^ Flint, Joe (October 6, 2011). "Bloomberg TV plays politics". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  23. ^ "First Mover: Andrew Morse". Adweek. October 24, 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  24. ^ a b Calderone, Michael (August 7, 2013). "Zucker Memo: Bloomberg U.S. TV Head Andrew Morse Joins CNN". Huffington Post. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  25. ^ Spangler, Todd (November 12, 2014). "CNN Names Andrew Morse Head of Digital, Promotes 2 Others". Variety. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  26. ^ Spangler, Todd (2014-11-12). "CNN Names Andrew Morse Head of Digital, Promotes 2 Others". Variety. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  27. ^ Chan, J. Clara (2022-03-30). "CNN+'s Live Streaming Launch to Be Sold as NFTs". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  28. ^ Spangler, Todd (2017-11-03). "CNN Launches E-Commerce Unit, Plans Digital News Subscriptions in 2018". Variety. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  29. ^ "CNN takes breaking news approach for its commerce site, CNN Underscored". Digiday. 2020-01-08. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  30. ^ "CNN looking to shift focus from TV to digital news: reports". New York Post. 2019-03-04. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  31. ^ Perlberg, Steven. "CNN Digital Is Facing A $20 Million Budget Shortfall". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  32. ^ "CNN joins Viacom's fast-growing AVOD streamer Pluto TV". Digital TV Europe. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  33. ^ Bilton, Ricardo (February 4, 2015). "How top publishers are using Snapchat". Digiday. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  34. ^ Spangler, Todd (2020-07-29). "CNN Buys Content-Recommendation Startup Canopy to Build Out Digital News Platform". Variety. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  35. ^ "Best Workplaces for Innovators 2020". Fast Company. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  36. ^ Wallenstein, Andrew (2021-07-19). "Inside CNN Plus: A First Look at the New Streaming Service (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  37. ^ Fowler, Bree. "CNN Plus Streaming Service to Launch on March 29". CNET. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  38. ^ Joyella, Mark (October 20, 2015). "CNN Launches Storytelling Network, 'Great Big Story'". TVNewser. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  39. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (October 20, 2015). "CNN-Incubated Video Network Great Big Story Launches'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  40. ^ "'Two very, very different companies': Why CNN's Great Big Story failed to survive". Digiday. 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  41. ^ "CNN is Turning Great Big Story Into a 24-Hour Streaming Network". adweek.it. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  42. ^ Trubey, J. Scott. "Andrew Morse named publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  43. ^ "Atlanta News Outlet Aims for Half a Million Digital Subscribers". WSJ.
  44. ^ "AJC Hits The Big Screen". Deadline.
  45. ^ "The AJC's Politically Georgia". WABE.
  46. ^ "UATL Live". live.ajc.com.
  47. ^ "AJC's Andrew Morse: What a year". ajc.
  48. ^ "Digiday Changemakers: Media". Digiday. 2017-05-30. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  49. ^ Bryant, Jacob (2017-10-03). "Variety's New Power of New York List 2017". Variety. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  50. ^ "JCRC TO Hold 2018 Gala Dinner at NYC's Pierre Hotel on May 9th". The Jewish Voice. May 4, 2018.
  51. ^ "Final Morse Tribute". CNN. May 15, 2018.
  52. ^ Winslow, George (September 14, 2015). "CNN's Morse Set to Lead News Team Into 'Next War'". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  53. ^ Burdsell-Morse, Ana; Klarevas, Louis. "N.Y. can lead the nation in fighting child sex trafficking". New York Daily News.
  54. ^ "AJC president and publisher: 'Vibe of the Peachtree is really special'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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