As far as possible we want single integrated teams to cover stories for all platforms, he wrote.
MacCallum, who recently departed The Washington Post, will start in the position in March.
Perhaps thats not surprising: the CNN of today is no longer that buccaneering outsider but a tenured incumbent.
Mark ThompsonRoberto Ricciuti/Getty Images
He added, You still see our strength when big stories break.
But, despite all these strengths, theres currently too little innovation and risk-taking.
CNN has seen significant ratings erosion, even as it has been an issue across all of linear TV.
He said that the web connection would reinvest in originals and experiment more boldly alongside our core news offering.
CNN also will appoint a senior vice president, business development and commercial strategy.
Sam Feist also will work with Jautz in addition to his role as Washington bureau chief and senior VP.
Other moves: Emily Kuhn will lead global communications as senior VP.
But no matter how much success CNN enjoyed, Ted never saw his creation merely as a business breakthrough.
The young CNN was a scrappy outsider.
Sometimes it fell flat on its face.
But story by story, it redefined how TV news covered and analyzed news.
Soon audiences learned to turn to CNN first whenever something big happened.
This is our inheritance and its a great one.
FOLLOW THE AUDIENCE
Now technology and audiences are on the move again.
For many people today, the smartphone is a more important unit for consuming news than the TV.
Their news primetime is in the morning not the evening.
Meanwhile the traditional TV universe is shrinking steadily.
So far CNN has been slow to respond to the challenge.
Perhaps thats not surprising: the CNN of today is no longer that buccaneering outsider but a tenured incumbent.
You still see our strength when big stories break.
But, despite all these strengths, theres currently too little innovation and risk-taking.
I believe CNN is a brand and a trusted news source of immense potential.
We need to organize around the future not the past.
We need to recapture some of the swagger and innovation of the early CNN.
Its time for a new revolution.
CNNS MISSION: THE NEWS
For historical reasons CNN has grown up with separate domestic and international news operations.
Some but not all of digital news creation and curation reports into a currently TV-centric news division.
Across much of news there is currently limited access or awareness of data science and digital product capabilities.
As far as possible we want single integrated teams to cover stories for all platforms.
We know we have different audiences with different needs at different times.
Nonetheless we intend to move to greater consistency of editorial approach wherever we can.
A NEW DIGITAL CHAPTER AT CNN
Only legacy media organizations use the word digital.
In start-ups and in Silicon Valley it doesnt need to be said because its so central and so obvious.
At CNN we also want to move as quickly as possible to a point where it becomes redundant.
We need new registration/customer management and, above all, new monetization capabilities to access new sources of revenue.
We need new skills to add to the strong bench of talent we already have.
Together with colleagues at WBD, we need to engage with GenAI and other emergent technologies.
I cant tell you how pleased I am that Alex is rejoining CNN.
But we have work to do here too, especially in domestic cable.
After a difficult, transitional period last year, we now have a promising new primetime line-up.
We also need to address the long-range economics of TV at CNN.
Anderson Coopers brilliant podcastAll There Isshows the way.
So Im delighted thatAmy Enteliswill be working with me as EVP, Talent, CNN Originals and Creative Development.
We hope to fill this role in the next few weeks.
Ive also askedSam Feistto work alongside Ken in these change programmes, while continuing his existing role in Washington.
Change is essential if were to secure this great news companys future.
Lets build with confidence.
Lets fulfill our mission.
Lets learn some new tricks.
Lets look after each other.
Lets have some fun.
