08/09/05

Associated Press names strategic news and technology expert to run international television division

NEW YORK – The Associated Press today named J. Eric Braun, a veteran television executive and new media expert, to be vice president and managing director of international television. Braun, formerly vice president for news and convergence at Raycom Media, Inc., will have management responsibility for Associated Press Television News, AP’s global video news agency.

Braun, 55, has broad experience in a range of media markets and disciplines, both in the United States and internationally. Before working at Raycom, he was an executive at Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc., the world’s largest television audience research and strategic consultation firm.

“Eric is uniquely qualified to lead AP’s international television business,” said Jim Williams, vice president and director of The Associated Press Broadcast Division. “He is a customer-focused leader with rich experience in video news gathering, television broadcasting and Internet and wireless video distribution. We are excited to add his innovative and creative thinking to AP’s broadcast management team.”

At Raycom, Braun supervised matters concerning news and public affairs programming for all 39 of the company’s local TV operations, which reach 1 in nine American households. He also oversaw marketing of Raycom’s Internet business and new media strategies.

Before that, from 1989 to 1998, he held a variety of senior and executive positions at Magid. As vice president of new technology, Braun directed Magid’s development of research and consulting services to television broadcasters, networks, new media and Internet businesses. He consulted with networks, group owners, producers, and location stations across North America, and in Europe and Asia, developing research-based business development strategies and new business plans.

Braun was born in Cleveland, Ohio and earned a degree in business administration and finance from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. It was at college that he began his media career, first as a freelance news reporter for television and radio stations, and subsequently as news director for numerous radio and television stations.

In his new position, Braun will be located at APTN headquarters in London. APTN, which was launched as the video arm of AP in 1994, is the largest video network in the world, supplying video to more than 500 broadcasters around the world, as well as major portals and Web sites. Visit APTN at http://www.aptn.com

The Associated Press is the world’s oldest and largest newsgathering organization, providing content to more than 15,000 news outlets and with a daily reach of 1 billion people. AP’s multimedia services are distributed by satellite and internet to more than 120 countries. Visit AP at http://www.ap.org

For more information, contact:

At APTN in London, Toby Hartwell at +44 (0) 207 482 7442.

At AP Broadcast in Washington, Roger Lockhart at 202 736-1145