Performance Today Selects Deborah Borda as 2024 Classical Woman of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 29 — Performance Today, a national classical music radio program hosted by Fred Child from American Public Media, is pleased to announce that Deborah Borda has been named the 2024 Classical Woman of the Year. This prestigious title is awarded to exceptional women who have made significant contributions to the world of classical music art form and who provide inspiration for listeners. Borda, an advocate for the performing arts, is chosen for her outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing the classical music industry. 

Borda, a former professional violist, currently serves as Executive Advisor to the President and Board of Directors at New York Philharmonic and has been instrumental in shaping the orchestra's artistic vision. Prior to this, she held the position of CEO, spearheading groundbreaking initiatives, deepening connections with the community and reaching new audiences through innovative programming. In 2023, Borda was named Honorary Member of the Society for her outstanding service to the organization and the world of music.  

Borda's achievements extend beyond her role at the New York Philharmonic. She held leadership positions at esteemed organizations including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Her leadership has led to groundbreaking initiatives including Project 19, Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) and the national Take a Stand initiative. Borda has been instrumental as a vocal advocate for women in music. She has championed gender equity in the classical music industry, working to break down barriers and create opportunities for female musicians, conductors and composers. Borda's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity has had a lasting impact on the field, inspiring countless women to pursue careers in classical music. In 2023 she established BordaArts, a consulting firm dedicated to developing innovative leadership for the future 

Borda holds numerous Honorary Doctor of Music degrees from The Julliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music and New England Conservatory. She has been honored with the Gold Baton from the League of American Orchestras and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.  

“I’m thrilled that Deborah Borda is our 2024 Performance Today Classical Woman of the Year,” said Fred Child, host and senior editor of Performance Today. “Though much of her career has been behind-the-scenes, some of the most cherished aspects of today’s classical scene wouldn’t be what they are without her guiding spirit, and determination. She combines the forward-thinking savvy and intelligent risk-taking of an entrepreneur with the passionate dedication of an artist. It is with great pleasure that we recognize Deborah Borda with this well-deserved award.” 

The recognition of Borda as the 2024 Classical Woman of the Year highlights not only her individual achievements, but also the importance of supporting and celebrating women in the arts. The Performance Today staff is honored to select Borda based on listener nominations and to recognize her as a role model and trailblazer in the classical music community. 

Borda graduated from Bennington College and continued her studies at London’s Royal College of Music. She will be recognized on the March 29 episode of Performance Today, including a conversation with Child about her extensive career and accomplishments. 

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About YourClassical  
YourClassical® is a collection of curated classical music listening experiences and information produced by Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media Group. YourClassical provides audiences with the music they love through terrestrial broadcasts and multiple web-based platforms. Nationally syndicated YourClassical programs include Pipedreams®, SymphonyCast®, Composers Datebook® and Performance Today®, and are in addition to the Radio, Lullaby, Relax, Peaceful Piano, and Holiday audio streams that can be found at YourClassical.org. Regional music programming produced by YourClassical MPR®, is a trusted companion for listeners across Minnesota on broadcast radio, web interfaces and live events. YourClassical MPR’s Kid’s Initiatives strives to inspire the next generation of music fans and artists through in-school learning experiences, educational content, and resources for teachers and parents. Each week, nearly 2.75 million people engage with YourClassical. Learn more and listen at yourclassical.org.   

Sold a Story en español: The investigative podcast that’s changing how reading is taught in American schools is now available in Spanish

APM Reports partners with Univision to distribute Spanish translation of the award-winning podcast

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 19, 2024– APM Reports, the award-winning national investigative journalism division of MPR News, in partnership with Univision, is offering a Spanish translation of its groundbreaking podcast “Sold a Story.” Released today, “Sold a Story en español” is available on all podcast platforms and at soldastory.es. The podcast, produced in collaboration with Shake it Easy Media, will also go out to Univision listeners through its Uforia App, Uforia Podcasts YouTube channel and its main news podcast, Univision Noticias. 

Sold a Story has captivated audiences with its in-depth investigation into the flaws of conventional reading instruction methods in American schools. Hosted by acclaimed reporter Emily Hanford, the podcast has become a catalyst for reform, inspiring fifteen states and counting to revise their educational policies. 

“Sold a Story is about shedding light on a critical issue in education," said Hanford. "Expanding into Spanish allows us to reach an even broader audience, including the millions of Spanish-speaking families who are directly impacted by the challenges we explore." 

The statistics underscore the urgency of the podcast's message. According to recent data, half of Hispanic fourth graders struggle to read at a basic level, highlighting the pressing need for more effective instruction. 

Episode one of “Sold a Story en español” is a condensed version of the six-episode podcast. It is hosted by bilingual journalist Valeria Fernández, who was especially drawn to the project because she is in the process of choosing a school for her four-year-old son. This episode will also be available for free to public radio stations.   

Episode two is about the special challenges facing Spanish-speaking families whose children are learning to read English at school. Fernández and Hanford discuss questions parents can ask to determine how their child is being taught and ways to advocate for a child who is struggling. Hanford’s voice is dubbed into Spanish by actress Laura Gómez, well-known for her work on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. 

APM Reports has also launched soldastory.es, which includes Spanish versions of in-depth articles about the flawed ways reading is taught and tested in U.S. schools. Hanford has also compiled a list of Spanish language resources for parents.  

“Through Univision's support, the Spanish-speaking audience will have access to the invaluable reporting from 'Sold a Story," said Tom Scheck, deputy managing editor of APM Reports. "That knowledge will inform more people about this groundbreaking work." 

"We're thrilled to bring this captivating story and investigation to our Spanish-speaking audience,” said Hernán García, head of Ulforia Podcast. “I have no doubt that our listeners will find immense value in this exceptional content, enriching their experience and understanding." 

With more than eight million downloads, "Sold a Story” has already garnered some of the highest awards in journalism, including a duPont-Columbia award, Edward R. Murrow award, an IRE award, two Scripps Howard awards, and a Peabody nomination. It has also captured the attention of listeners nationwide, ranking as the second-most-shared show on Apple Podcasts in 2023 and being named one of Time Magazine's top three podcasts of 2023. 

Visit soldastory.es for further updates, full transcripts and additional resources in Spanish. 

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About APM Reports 
APM Reports is the award-winning national investigative journalism unit based at MPR News. The APM Reports’ team of investigative journalists, producers, editors and researchers conduct in-depth reporting on national issues that are often hidden from public view. APM Reports’ work includes the podcasts Sent Away, In Deep and the groundbreaking Sold a Story, winner of some of the highest awards in journalism including the duPont and Murrow awards and a Peabody nomination. APM Reports’ investigations and audio documentaries are published at APMReports.org. Follow along at @APMReports on Facebook and Instagram.  

Sold a Story en español: El pódcast de investigación que está revolucionando la enseñanza de la lectura en las escuelas de Estados Unidos ya está disponible en español 

APM Reports se asocia con Univisión para distribuir la traducción al español del premiado pódcast 
 

ST. PAUL (Minnesota) 19 de marzo de 2024- APM Reports, la galardonada división nacional de periodismo de investigación de MPR News, se complace en anunciar la traducción al español de su innovador pódcast Sold a Story en colaboración con Univision. ¡Ya disponible! Sold a Story en español se lanza hoy en todas las plataformas de pódcast y en soldastory.es. Además, el pódcast también se encontrará en Univision llegando a un público aún mayor a través de su aplicación Uforia, su canal de YouTube Uforia Podcasts y su principal pódcast de noticias, Univision Noticias. 

Sold a Story ha cautivado al público con su profunda investigación sobre las deficiencias de los métodos convencionales de enseñanza de la lectura en las escuelas de Estados Unidos. Conducido por la reconocida reportera Emily Hanford, el pódcast se ha convertido en un catalizador para la reforma educativa, inspirando a quince estados, y sumando, a revisar sus políticas. 

«Sold a Story busca iluminar un tema crucial en la educación», señaló Hanford. «La expansión al español nos permite conectar con un público aún más amplio, incluyendo a los millones de familias hispanoparlantes que se ven directamente impactadas por los retos que abordamos.»Las estadísticas recalcan la urgencia del mensaje del pódcast. Estudios recientes revelan que la mitad de los alumnos hispanos de cuarto grado experimentan dificultades para leer a un nivel básico, lo que pone de relieve la acuciante necesidad de implementar métodos de enseñanza más eficaces. 

El primer episodio de Sold a Story en español es una síntesis del pódcast original de seis episodios. Está presentado por la periodista bilingüe Valeria Fernández, que se sintió especialmente motivada a participar en el proyecto debido a que se encuentra en la búsqueda de un colegio para su hijo de cuatro años. Este episodio también se podrá escuchar gratuitamente en las emisoras de radio públicas.   

El segundo episodio se centra en los retos particulares que enfrentan las familias hispanohablantes con hijos que están aprendiendo a leer en inglés en la escuela. Fernández y Hanford conversan sobre las preguntas que los padres pueden plantear para conocer cómo se está enseñando a leer a su hijo y las estrategias para abogar por un niño que está teniendo dificultades. La voz de Hanford está doblada al español por la actriz Laura Gómez, reconocida por su participación en el elenco de la serie de Netflix Orange is the new black. 

APM Reports también ha lanzado soldastory.es, un sitio web que ofrece versiones en español de artículos en profundidad sobre las formas erróneas en que se enseña y evalúa la lectura en las escuelas de Estados Unidos. Adicionalmente, Hanford ha recopilado una lista de recursos en español para padres, con el fin de brindarles apoyo e información complementaria.  

«Gracias al apoyo de Univisión, el público hispanoparlante tendrá acceso a los valiosos reportajes de Sold a Story», dijo Tom Scheck, subdirector general de APM Reports. «Este conocimiento permitirá que más personas se informen sobre este trabajo pionero y sus repercusiones en la educación». 

« Estamos muy emocionados de llevar esta investigación e historia atrapante a nuestra audiencia de habla hispana. No tengo ninguna duda de que nuestros oyentes encontrarán un valor inmenso en este contenido excepcional, enriqueciendo su experiencia y educación ».- Hernán García, Jefe del Podcast de Uforia. 

Con más de ocho millones de descargas, Sold a Story ya ha cosechado algunos de los más prestigiosos galardones del periodismo, incluyendo un premio duPont-Columbia, un premio Edward R. Murrow, un premio IRE, dos premios Scripps Howard y una nominación Peabody. Su impacto ha resonado en oyentes de todo el país, posicionándose como el segundo programa más compartido en Apple Podcasts en 2023 y siendo reconocido como uno de los tres mejores pódcast de 2023 por la revista Time. 

Visite soldastory.es para acceder a más actualizaciones, transcripciones completas de los episodios y recursos adicionales en español. 

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Acerca de APM Reports 
APM Reports es la unidad nacional de periodismo de investigación con sede en MPR News, reconocida con múltiples premios. Nuestro equipo de periodistas de investigación, productores, editores e investigadores se dedica a realizar reportajes en profundidad sobre temas nacionales que a menudo no reciben la atención que merecen. Entre nuestros trabajos más destacados se encuentran los pódcast Sent Away, In Deep y el innovador Sold a Story, ganador de algunos de los premios más importantes del periodismo, como los premios duPont y Murrow y una nominación Peabody. Puedes encontrar todas las investigaciones y documentales de APM Reports en APMReports.org. Síganos en @APMReports en Facebook e Instagram.     

Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group launches the third annual Next Challenge for Media & Journalism

Finalists of the national media startup competition will connect with industry mentors and winners split up to $150,000 in prize money.  

ST. PAUL, MINN., March 5, 2024 – Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group launched the 2024 Next Challenge for Media and Journalism. The Next Challenge is a national startup competition seeking groundbreaking for-profit and nonprofit startups that will reinvent the media landscape in the coming decade. This year’s competition seeks to engage 400+ startups with $150,000 in grants to organizations transforming local news, building technology to power future newsrooms, and pioneering new ways of distributing content around the globe. 

Entries are now open on thenextchallenge.com and will be accepted through March 25.  

“The collapse of traditional business models and rise of new technology - especially AI - create headwinds for the news and journalism industry," said Jeff Freeland Nelson, executive director of Glen Nelson Center. “We are seeking startups that turn those challenges into opportunities, using technology to advance trustworthy journalism and identifying new sources of revenue to sustain and grow media in the public interest.” 

Seven prizes totaling $150,000 will be awarded to early-stage media startups in three divisions. The Next Challenge Grand Prize winner will receive a grant of up to $60,000. The divisions are as follows: 

• Future of Local Journalism Award: New to this year’s competition, this division will be awarded to a local or regional news startup that excels at meeting the information needs of the community it serves or is pioneering a sustainable new business model for local journalism. Supported by the MacArthur Foundation.  

• NewsTech Award: Also new to this year’s competition, the NewsTech Award will be awarded to a startup supporting the productivity and sustainability of newsrooms by providing an essential service using artificial intelligence (AI) and/or other technology. Supported by Knight Foundation.  

• Power Platform Award: This division will be awarded to a technology startup developing powerful ways to share media content across the country and around the globe. Supported by the McKnight Foundation.  

“The prize money is a game changer for our small operation," said Ben Ben Boult, Executive Producer of Climate Town and 2023 Next Challenge Grand Prize winner. "It helps us to do things like bring on an assistant editor and boost our post-production workflows, hire dedicated writers and researchers, as well as launch new projects, including our first podcast." 

Additionally, the competition will present a Vision Award to a startup with a bold vision to reinvent media and journalism; a Trust in News Award to a finalist building trust in the media by exposing disinformation and deep fakes; and the Public Choice Award to the most compelling finalist as voted on by the public.  

“Not only did the recognition we received as finalists lay the groundwork for many connections and partnerships with journalism organizations, but the experience also served as a catalyst for further innovation between Rolli and another finalist,” said Nick Toso, founder and CEO of Rolli, a finalist in last year’s competition. “This collaboration has been pivotal in shaping our path, and today we can trace some of our proudest achievements back to the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism.” 

The competition is hosted in partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation. Media partners include the American Press Institute, Asian American Journalists Association, Indigenous Journalists Association, Institute for Nonprofit News, LION Publishers, Marketplace, Media Impact Funders, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Online News Association, PIVOT Fund, Public Media Journalists Association, Report for America, and the World Press Institute.   

The Next Challenge will conclude with a national showcase event to announce its winners in May of 2024 at the Media Impact Forum in New York City.  

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About the Glen Nelson Center 

Launched in 2018, Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group identifies, elevates, and invests in groundbreaking media ventures led by a diverse group of visionary founders. Connecting startup founders and teams with APMG staff, advisors, and board members informs strategic planning, supports long-term revenue and audience goals and strengthens the APMG innovation culture. For more information, visit GlenNelson.org. 

About American Public Media Group 
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR®), a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. MPR and its three regional services –MPR News, YourClassical MPR and The Current –produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. APMG is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world and reaches nearly 16 million listeners with 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APMG’s national portfolio includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, APM Studios, and the leading classical music programming in the nation, YourClassical. APMG also includes Southern California Public Radio, a four-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Coachella Valley, and the Inland Empire. For more information – or to become a member and support APMG efforts to reimagine the future of public radio, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.      

“Sold a Story” wins prestigious duPont-Columbia Award

The APM Reports podcast has been awarded one of the highest honors in broadcast journalism. 

ST PAUL, Minn., Jan. 31, 2024 – The groundbreaking investigative podcast “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went so Wrong” has been awarded a duPont-Columbia Award. The six-part series exposed a national literacy crisis and has led to calls for change in classrooms nationwide. Since the podcast, at least 15 states have changed laws regarding reading instruction. 

"It’s a tremendous honor to receive this recognition from the duPont jury,” said Emily Hanford, host of the podcast and senior producer/correspondent for APM Reports. “I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this vital conversation and to shed light on how many schools have been teaching reading. This recognition underscores the urgency to uncover truths and address the challenges in literacy education.”   

Other journalists who contributed to the podcast include reporter Christopher Peak, producer Chris Julin and editor Catherine Winter. The duPont recognition adds to an impressive list of accolades for the “Sold a Story” team including: 

• National Edward R. Murrow Award 

• IRE Award for Longform Audio Journalism 

• Scripps Howard Awards for Audio Storytelling and Journalism Impact 

• Third Coast Award for Audio Impact 

• 2024 Anthem Award for Education, Art & Culture Podcast or Audio 

The podcast has also resonated with listeners. It was the second most shared podcast of 2023 according to Apple Podcasts and Time Magazine ranked Sold a Story as one of its 10 Best Podcasts of 2023.  

The duPont-Columbia Awards are presented annually by Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. The awards are named in honor of Alfred I. duPont to celebrate “journalistic excellence, upholding the highest standards in journalism by recognizing those who contribute and supports journalism education and innovation, thereby cultivating a collective spirit for the profession.” 

“The national recognition of Sold a Story highlights the importance of this work and its impact in the national reading conversation,” said Tom Scheck, deputy managing editor for APM Reports. 

Sold a Story will release two new episodes soon. APM Reports will also release a two-episode Spanish language version of Sold a Story titled Sold a Story en español available next month.  

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About APM Reports

The APM Reports’ team of investigative journalists, producers, editors and researchers conduct in-depth reporting on issues that are often hidden from public view. APM Reports’ work includes the podcasts Sent Away, In Deep and the groundbreaking Sold a Story honored with IRE, Scripps Howard, Murrow and Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards. APM Reports’ investigations and audio documentaries are published at APMReports.org. Follow along at @APMReports on Facebook and Instagram.   

Performance Today names five students for 2023-2024 Young Artist in Residency Series

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 17, 2023 –Performance Today, from YourClassical and distributed by American Public Media, has announced five young musicians who have been identified for the 2023-2024 Performance Today Young Artists in Residence Program (PTYA). 

Performance Today is the most popular, award-winning classical music radio program in the country. Performance Today works with the best conservatories from around the country to identify their top talent to take part in the PTYA Program each year.  

“Over nearly three decades, Performance Today has a remarkable track record highlighting future star of classical music,” says Fred Child, host of Performance Today. “Our Young Artist Residencies are an extraordinary opportunity for these performers to jump-start their careers, and for music lovers to meet the talents and tastemakers of the next generation. I’m happy and honored to introduce these young players to music lovers across the country and around the world.” 

Each Young Artist will have performances and interviews with host Fred Child recorded for broadcast and will participate in outreach to elementary and middle-school students.   

This year’s Young Artists are: 

• Sarah Ma, Oberlin Conservatory of Music 

Sarah is pursuing a double degree at Oberlin College and Conservatory in Comparative American Studies and Violin, studying with Sibbi Bernhardsson, after transferring from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Donald Weilerstein and Li Lin. She was recently the youngest competitor and 2nd Prizewinner at the 2023 Dallas International Violin Competition. Sarah is a founding member of the Poiesis Quartet, which recently swept the 2023 Fischoff Competition, winning the overall Grand Prize, Senior Strings Gold Medal, as well as the Lift Every Voice Prize for the best performance of an underrepresented work. Sarah has soloed with numerous orchestras. In addition to performance, Sarah is passionate about integrating the arts in community work and advocacy, particularly to center non-traditional genres and underrepresented works.  

• Jane Yoo, Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University 

Jane holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Seoul National University and Master of Music from Yale School of Music. She is the only musician to be admitted by unanimous vote into the Artist Diploma program at the Peabody Institute, where she is currently studying with Dr. June Han. Jane has performed across the globe in concerts, including in the United States, Korea and Hong Kong, among others. She has won numerous prizes, including the USA International Harp Competition, 1st Prize at the Korean International Harp Competition, Korean National Music Association, and the Korean Chamber Orchestra Competition, and Special Prize at Szeged Hungary International Harp Competition. She was invited as a soloist in the “Focus on Youth” concert of World Harp Congress in Hong Kong in 2017 and was a Kumho Young Concert Artist twice in 2014 and 2017. As a soloist, Jane has performed with numerous orchestras and appeared as a solo young artist in many music festivals. She has been associate principal harpist at the Civic Orchestra of Chicago since 2023.   

• Avery Gagliano, Curtis Institute of Music 

Originally from Washington D.C., Avery studies at the Curtis Institute with Robert McDonald. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall two years ago at the age of 20. Avery came to international acclaim as the First Prize and Best Concerto Prize winner of the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition, and as the only American semifinalist at the 18th International Chopin Competition in 2021. Avery is also a dedicated chamber musician, regularly sharing the stage with ensembles such as the Balourdet Quartet and the Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players in New York. At the invitation of Sir András Schiff, Avery appeared in recitals throughout Europe in the 2022/23 season as part of his Building Bridges series. She has also in recent seasons appeared on renowned concert stages and festivals as well as numerous solo appearances with orchestras. Alongside her successes at the two most highly regarded Chopin competitions, Avery was the winner of the Aspen Music Festival Concerto Competition, MostArts Festival Piano Competition, and 2019 National YoungArts Competition. 

• Daniel Dastoor, San Francisco Conservatory of Music 

Daniel is currently in the final year of his Artist Diploma in Chamber Music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Ian Swensen. Most recently, he completed an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School, and he also holds degrees in music from the Mount Royal Conservatory and the University of Calgary, as well as degrees in Computer Science from the University of Calgary and University of Toronto. A native of Montreal and a frequent participant in competitions and festivals, Daniel is a winner of the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award and the Calgary Philharmonic’s Marley Rynd Performance Scholarship. He has participated twice in Calgary Pro Musica’s Young Artists Program, most recently as part of the Walden Trio, with which he competed in the Fischoff Chamber Competition, and with which he was mentored by the Gryphon Trio at the Festival del Lago Academy in Ajijic, Mexico. A passionate chamber musician, Daniel has performed with numerous chambers, festivals and as a soloist. 

• Najee Greenlee, The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University 

Najee is a clarinetist from Flint, Michigan, and is currently in his second year at Rice University, where he studies with Richie Hawley. Greenlee was a student at Interlochen Arts Academy, where he was selected for From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. This past summer, he was a student at the Aspen Music Festival and performed with the Conducting Academy orchestra as a recipient of a fellowship. Last spring, Najee was a winner of the Shepherd School of Music’s concerto competition and will perform with the school’s orchestra in April 2024. 

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About YourClassical 
YourClassical® is a collection of curated classical music listening experiences and information produced by Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media Group. YourClassical provides audiences with the music they love through terrestrial broadcasts and multiple web-based platforms. Nationally syndicated YourClassical programs include Pipedreams®, SymphonyCast®, Composers Datebook® and Performance Today®, and are in addition to the Radio, Lullaby, Relax, Peaceful Piano, and Holiday audio streams that can be found at YourClassical.org. Regional music programming produced by YourClassical MPR®, is a trusted companion for listeners across Minnesota on broadcast radio, web interfaces and live events. YourClassical MPR’s Kid’s Initiatives strives to inspire the next generation of music fans and artists through in-school learning experiences, educational content, and resources for teachers and parents. Each week, nearly 2.75 million people engage with YourClassical. Learn more and listen at yourclassical.org.   

About American Public Media 
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches nearly 17 million listeners with 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.   

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘22. 

Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group Commits $5 Million In New Investments to the Press Forward Initiative to Strengthen Local Journalism

ST. PAUL, Sept. 7, 2023- Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group (APMG) is proud to announce it is joining a coalition of 22 funders across the United States to launch Press Forward, a groundbreaking national initiative aimed at revitalizing and empowering local journalism. As part of this strategic alliance, Glen Nelson Center is committing $5 million in new investments in media companies with a focus on local journalism over the next five years.  
 
Press Forward will enhance local journalism at an unprecedented level to re-center local news as a force for community cohesion; support new models and solutions that are ready to scale; and close longstanding inequities in journalism coverage and practice. The coalition of funders has committed more than a half-billion dollars to the initiative over five years.  
 
"At American Public Media Group, we are dedicated to the transformative potential of local journalism and the absolute necessity of strong local news organization as a force for community strength and connection," said Jean Taylor, CEO of APMG. "Our commitment to Press Forward is one of the ways APMG is investing in media innovation and the future of public media."   

Launched in 2018, Glen Nelson Center invests in promising media startups, leading to powerful learning and business development opportunities for APMG while delivering a financial return. To date, Glen Nelson Center has supported the work of 600+ ventures through investments, competitions and incubator/accelerator programs including the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism, the largest media startup competition in the U.S. 

"We are at a crossroads for local journalism in the United States,” said Jeff Freeland Nelson, Executive Director of the Glen Nelson Center. "Either we accept the slow decline of local news and collapse of long-standing media business models or champion innovation and foster resilience through investments in new models for providing the high-quality local news our communities need.” 
 
Since 2005, approximately 2,200 local newspapers have closed, resulting in 20 percent of Americans living in “news deserts” with little to no reliable coverage of important local events. Press Forward seeks to reverse the dramatic decline in local news that has coincided with an increasingly divided America and weakening trust in institutions. 
 
“We have a moment to support the reimagination, revitalization, and rapid development of local news. We are prepared to support the strongest ideas and seed new ones; build powerful networks; and invest in people, organizations, and networks with substantial resources,” said John Palfrey, President of the MacArthur Foundation and a leader of the Press Forward initiative. “The philanthropic sector recognizes the need to strengthen American democracy and is beginning to see that progress on every other issue, from education and healthcare to criminal justice reform and climate change, is dependent on the public’s understanding of the facts.” 

Initial Press Forward partners are The Archewell Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Democracy Fund, Ford Foundation, Mary W. Graham, Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group, Heising-Simons Foundation, Henry Luce Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Joyce Foundation, KFF, Knight Foundation, The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Lumina Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Outrider Foundation, Rita Allen Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Skyline Foundation, and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.  

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About American Public Media Group  
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR®), a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. MPR and its three regional services –MPR News, YourClassical MPR and The Current –produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. APMG is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world and reaches nearly 17 million listeners with 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APMG’s national portfolio includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, APM Studios, and the leading classical music programming in the nation, YourClassical. APMG also includes Southern California Public Radio, a four-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Coachella Valley, and the Inland Empire. For more information – or to become a member and support APMG efforts to reimagine the future of public radio, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.     

About Glen Nelson Center 
Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group (APMG) invests in promising media startups, leading to powerful learning and business development opportunities for APMG while delivering a financial return. To date, Glen Nelson Center has supported the work of 600+ ventures through investments, competitions, and incubator/accelerator programs. Programs at Glen Nelson Center include the Horizon Fund, which makes direct investments in promising media startups, the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism, the largest media startup competition in the United States, and Kling Innovation Grants, an internal grantmaking program at APMG. 

Marketplace and Greenlight to Launch Nationwide Financial Literacy Tour for Middle Schools

First-ever Million Bazillion Live! tour will bring interactive financial education to 50,000 students across the country

ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 29, 2023 – American Public Media’s® (APM) Marketplace®, the most widely consumed business and economic news programming in the country, has partnered with Greenlight® Financial Technology, Inc. (Greenlight), the fintech company on a mission to help parents raise financially smart kids, to launch a dynamic financial literacy tour, Million Bazillion Live! “Who Wants to be a Bazillionaire?”

Based on the Webby-winning kids’ podcast Million Bazillion from Marketplace and presented by Greenlight, the 20-city Million Bazillion Live! tour will debut this September at middle schools across the nation to bring financial knowledge and empowerment to more than 50,000 students.

Presented in a fun, entertaining game show format, Million Bazillion Live! is an immersive experience with personal finance trivia, challenges, and prizes. During the tour, students will cheer on their classmates while learning about real money matters such as budgeting, saving, and investing. The first leg of Million Bazillion Live! will visit: Kansas City, MO; Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX; Austin, TX; Fayetteville/Little Rock, AR; Baton Rouge, LA; Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA; and New York, NY. The second half of the tour will commence in Spring 2024.

“We're excited to continue our partnership with Greenlight to bring this crucial programming and essential life skills to schools across the nation,” said Neal Scarbrough, Vice President and General Manager at Marketplace. “This initiative is an extension of Marketplace’s mission to bring more young Americans under the tent of financial literacy and empower them with the knowledge they need to successfully navigate their futures.”

Personal finance education still isn’t a requirement for students to graduate in all 50 states. 27 states don’t require a personal finance course, even though teens score an average of 64% on the National Financial Literacy Test. At the same time, 93% of teens know they need financial knowledge and skills to achieve their life goals — and 97% of parents agree.*

“At Greenlight, we’ve always been focused on empowering young people with the financial knowledge, skills, and confidence they need for a healthy future through our award-winning banking app and engaging educational resources,” said Jennifer Seitz, Director of Education at Greenlight. “With the upcoming Million Bazillion Live! tour, we look forward to reaching even more families and educating local communities on the critical topic of financial literacy in a fun and entertaining way.”

“American Public Media has principles that guide how we partner with brands while honoring the trust and reputation our programming has earned with audiences,” said Tom De Napoli, Vice President of Revenue Strategy at APM. “Our partnership with Greenlight is a great example of how each campaign we develop must offer cultural meaning to our audiences, drive business results for our partners, and elevate the content it surrounds. With the Million Bazillion Live! tour, we are extending our public media mission into new storytelling spaces – classrooms across the country – to educate the next generation about financial literacy.”                                                      

To learn more, please visit millionbazillionlive.com. Episodes of Million Bazillion are also available for listening on all major podcast platforms, with a new season starting Sept. 5. For more information, visit marketplace.org/millionbazillion.                                                            

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About Marketplace
Marketplace® is on a mission to raise the economic intelligence of the country. Its core programs —Marketplace®, Marketplace Morning Report® and Marketplace Tech® — are currently broadcast nationwide on more than 800 public radio stations and heard by 12.5 million weekly listeners. Marketplace podcasts, including Make Me Smart with Kai and Molly, The Uncertain Hour®, This Is Uncomfortable and Million Bazillion, can be found at Marketplace.org or on your favorite podcast app. The Marketplace portfolio of programs are produced and distributed by American Public Media® (APM), one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world. For more information on Marketplace, visit marketplace.org.

About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches nearly 17 million listeners with 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business, and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

About Greenlight
Greenlight Financial Technology is the family fintech company on a mission to help parents raise financially smart kids. Its product, Greenlight, is an award-winning banking app, complete with a debit card for kids and teens, cash back credit card, and safety features for the whole family. Parents can automate allowance, manage chores, set flexible spend controls, and invest for their family’s future. Kids and teens learn to earn, save, spend wisely, give, invest, and manage credit. Together, families can also stay safe and connected with location sharing, SOS alerts, and crash detection with automatic 911 dispatch.

The Greenlight Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International. The Greenlight Family Cash Card is issued by First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO®), member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Greenlight Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, provides investment advisory services to its clients. Investing involves risk and may include the loss of principal. Greenlight is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Greenlight app facilitates banking services through Greenlight's bank partners. For more information, please visit: greenlight.com.

*Survey insights were collected by Greenlight through a Researchscape survey fielded between March 18 and March 20, 2022, among 1,096 respondents in the U.S., split between teens ages 13-18 and parents of 13-18 year olds.

Media Contact:
Tsering Yangchen, APM, tyangchen@americanpublicmedia.org
Jessica Tenny, Greenlight, comms@greenlight.com

Award-Winning Poet Major Jackson to Succeed U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón as New Host of Flagship Poetry Podcast, The Slowdown

Starting January 23, Jackson Will Guide Listeners Through Different Perspectives of our Surrounding World with a Curated Poem Each Weekday

ST. PAUL, Minn., January 10, 2023 – APM Studios and the Poetry Foundation today announced that award-winning poet and writer Major Jackson has been selected as the new host of the celebrated poetry podcast, The Slowdown. Starting January 23, Jackson will carry on the tradition of sharing a selected poem and thoughtful reflection every weekday, offering listeners a daily opportunity to find connection and calm through poetry.

Jackson is the author of six books of poetry, including Razzle Dazzle: New & Selected Poems (2023), The Absurd Man (2020), Roll Deep (2015), Holding Company (2010), Hoops (2006), and Leaving Saturn (2002), which won a Cave Canem Poetry Prize for a first book of poems. His edited volumes include: Best American Poetry 2019, Renga for Obama, and Library of America’s Countee Cullen: Collected Poems. He is also the author of A Beat Beyond: The Selected Prose of Major Jackson edited by Amor Kohli.

Remarked Jackson: “Since its first episode, each morning I listened to The Slowdown, a ritual in my day as essential as taking a walk or brushing my teeth. Through the open-ended splendor of a poem, the podcast’s hosts encouraged me to find possibility and power in the small moments and sacred mysteries. Even before walking out the door, I felt energized, occasionally provoked, by poetry’s wisdom and the daily wonders occasioned by the simple act of listening. I felt prepared to enter the thick of my workday with just a little more understanding and curiosity. Poetry allows us to collect the rich chorus, that is our tender humanity, within us. I am excited to continue the amazing privilege of daily presenting a poem knowing some listener will feel renewed, maybe even seen, and even better, transformed by the grace of insightful language.”

Jackson takes over hosting duties from Ada Limón, who is departing to become the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States. Limón remarked: “Major and I have known each other for over twenty years and I was delighted to hear that he was selected to take over the show. I know The Slowdown will benefit from his insight, humor, and wisdom, and that he will be helming the ship with both grace and warmth.”

Jackson is a recipient of fellowships from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Guggenheim Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. He has been awarded a Pushcart Prize, a Whiting Writers’ Award, and has been honored by the Pew Fellowship in the Arts and the Witter Bynner Foundation in conjunction with the Library of Congress. Jackson’s poems and essays have been published in American Poetry Review, The New Yorker, Orion Magazine, Paris Review, Ploughshares, Poetry London and many distinguished journals. He currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee where he is the Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in the Humanities at Vanderbilt University. He also serves as the Poetry Editor of The Harvard Review.

New episodes of The Slowdown are available every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other podcast platforms. Listeners can subscribe to the show’s newsletter, and follow along for updates at SlowdownShow.org and at @SlowdownShow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Slowdown is produced by American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. The Slowdown is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.    

About the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives.The Foundation works to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and Poetry magazine at @PoetryMagazine.

American Public Media Group Announces the 2023 Next Challenge for Media & Journalism

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan.9, 2023 – Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group (APMG) launched the second annual Next Challenge for Media and Journalism. The Next Challenge is a national startup competition seeking groundbreaking for-profit and nonprofit startups that will reinvent media in the coming decade. 

APMG is hosting this year’s competition in partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Thomson Reuters, Google News Initiative and YouTube. AT&T Foundation provided grant support for this program. Public media partners include Minnesota Public Radio, WAMU, KERA, WHYY, and KPCC.

Entries are now open on thenextchallenge.com and will be accepted through Feb. 17.  

“The Next Challenge is an unparalleled opportunity to see the future of media,” said Jeff Freeland Nelson, Executive Director of Glen Nelson Center. "It is inspiring to see the solutions these startups present to the real challenges confronting the media industry.” 

This year, the competition will have even more opportunities for prizes and money. The monetary prizes, which total up to $130,000, will be awarded in three divisions:    

• Future of News Division supported by Knight Foundation. Awarded to a startup pioneering new ways to report the news and provide communities with fact-based insight, analysis, and information. 

• Top Creator Division supported by Google News Initiative and YouTube. Awarded to a creator-founded startup producing high-quality news, cultural, or educational content primarily for social media. 

• Power Platform Division supported by Thomson Reuters. Awarded to a technology startup developing powerful ways for media content to be shared across the country and around the globe. 

Additionally, one division winner will be awarded the Grand Prize.   

The Next Challenge is committed to promoting racial and gender equity in media, embracing the demographic shift occurring in our communities and seeking startups with diverse teams. For the 2022 competition, 84% of all participants identified as Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, and/or female/non-binary. 

With over five months that include numerous activities such as mentorships and connections with strategic partners, teams will get the chance to hone their pitch and strengthen their business plan. The Next Challenge will conclude with a national showcase event in May 2023.  

For more information and to apply visit thenextchallenge.com. 

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About the Glen Nelson Center 
Launched in 2018, Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group identifies, elevates, and invests in groundbreaking media ventures led by a diverse group of visionary founders. Connecting startup founders and teams with APMG staff, advisors, and board members informs strategic planning, supports long-term revenue and audience goals and strengthens the APMG innovation culture. For more information, visit GlenNelson.org. 

About American Public Media Group 
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR®), a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. MPR and its three regional services –MPR News, YourClassical MPR and The Current –produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. APMG is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world and reaches over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APMG’s national portfolio includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, APM Studios, and the leading classical music programming in the nation, YourClassical. APMG also includes Southern California Public Radio, a four-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Coachella Valley, and the Inland Empire. For more information – or to become a member and support APMG efforts to reimagine the future of public radio, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.      

Lara Downes Named 2022 Classical Woman of the Year by YourClassical’s Performance Today

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 30, 2022 – YourClassical’s Performance Today, from American Public Media, has named acclaimed pianist, producer, curator, storyteller, cultural visionary and arts advocate Lara Downes as the 2022 Classical Woman of the Year. This annual award, from Performance Today, recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the classical music art form and have inspired our listeners. 

With her wide-ranging talent, and her open spirit of musical connection and collaboration, Downes is at home on major global stages like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. She has played in intimate and non-traditional classical music venues such as clubs, galleries, universities, schools, public spaces and anywhere people gather to share the arts. 

As she says, her goal is not just to create and perform music, but to “tell stories, open hearts, and share beauty.” 

Downes’ comprehensive exploration of American music has led to a series of more than 20 acclaimed recordings, including her most recent release Reflections, Scott Joplin Reconsidered, which debuted at the top of the Billboard chart. Her recent recordings elevate the works of groundbreaking African American composer Florence Price, 19th century master Clara Schumann, and celebrate freedom songs and spirituals.  

She is the creator and curator of Rising Sun Music, a recording series focusing on music and stories of Black composers of the past two centuries. Downs is also the creator and host of AMPLIFY with Lara Downes, a series of video conversations for NPR Music. She’s Resident Artist for Classical KDFC in San Francisco and Classical KUSC in Los Angeles. She is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, fellowships, and grants from major arts institutions around the world. 

“I’m over the moon that Lara Downes is our 2022 Classical Woman of the Year,” said Fred Child, host and senior editor of Performance Today. “She is a true artist among pianists, with a keen ear for curating fascinating concert programs. She brings her vision and passion to a vast range of activities that touch the lives and cultural conversations of music-lovers everywhere. Her steadfast commitment to broadening our understanding and appreciation for composers from all walks of life creates a world in which our art form and our communities are richer, more creative, and in the end both more human and humane. It’s with great pleasure that we recognize Lara with this well-deserved award.” 

Downes was selected by the staff of Performance Today based on listener nominations, submitted through the month of March. Praise for Downes in these nominations include: 

“A superb pianist, she promotes marginalized classical voices. Downes envisions an artistically vibrant world where classical music is egalitarian and accessible to all. Her artistry and that bold vision are why she deserves this title.” Michael, Denton TX. 

“In addition to her excellence as a musician, she has a gift for teaching.”  Carol, Eugene OR. 

“From even her earliest recordings, Lara has consistently sought music of under-represented composers to share with her audience. In recent years Lara has been in the forefront in raising awareness and appreciation of the music and music-making of Black Americans. She has been a true leader in this.” James, Spokane WA. 

“(I’m touched by) her piano artistry, her ‘at home’ concerts during the Covid shut-down, and her national and local classical music broadcasts!” Marty, San Diego CA. 

“Lara's efforts to promote, support, and encourage young Black performers and composers, as well as her dedication to performing the work of forgotten composers are important contributions to the music scene. She should be recognized for her determination, virtuosity, and verve!” Nancy, Windham VT. 

Downes will be recognized on the March 30 episode of Performance Today, including a conversation with Child about her extensive career and accomplishments. 

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About YourClassical 
YourClassical® is a collection of curated classical music listening experiences and information produced by Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media®. YourClassical provides audiences with the music they love through terrestrial broadcasts and multiple web-based platforms. Nationally syndicated YourClassical programs include Pipedreams®, SymphonyCast®, Composers Datebook® and Performance Today®, and are in addition to the Radio, Lullaby, Relax, Peaceful Piano, and Holiday audio streams that can be found at YourClassical.org. Regional music programming produced by YourClassical MPR®, is a trusted companion for listeners across Minnesota on broadcast radio, web interfaces and live events. YourClassical MPR’s Kid’s Initiatives strives to inspire the next generation of music fans and artists through in-school learning experiences, educational content, and resources for teachers and parents. Each week, nearly 2.75 million people engage with YourClassical. Learn more and listen at yourclassical.org.   

American Public Media (APM) to Lead a Focused Future for “Classical 24,” the 24/7 Classical Music Service Produced by APM and Distributed by PRX

PRX transfers distribution rights to APM after more than 25 years of successful public media partnership

ST. PAUL, Minn. March 29, 2022 – American Public Media (APM) and PRX today announced that the nationally-syndicated public media classical music service “Classical 24” (“C24”) – distributed by PRX and produced by APM – will transition to being operated, broadcast, and solely distributed by APM. As PRX transfers distribution rights to APM after more than 25 years of successful partnership, this shift will go into effect beginning July 1, 2022. 

Brought to listeners by APM and PRX (then Public Radio International, prior to merging with PRX in 2018), “C24” first launched in 1995 with a belief that music is for everybody. Today, “C24” is heard by more than 1.5 million listeners each week on more than 230 public radio stations across the United States and is available on the streaming service at YourClassical.org. The classical service will continue to grow under the APM umbrella following several decades of successful public media partnership and investment alongside PRX.

“C24” has continually strived to include performances that represent the breadth of the classical music landscape and has remained dedicated to providing live classical music programming 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Hosts and programmers carefully curate each hour of the day to engage with audiences across the country.

“Classical 24 is an important part of the portfolio of music programs created here at APM and I'm excited by the new possibilities that bringing it in-house will create,” said Liwanag Ojala, Senior Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer at APMG. “Listeners can expect the same high-quality classical music with insights provided by their favorite hosts whenever they tune in.”

“We believe that bringing production and distribution under the same roof will provide a more streamlined process for our station partners and be a seamless experience for our listeners,” said Chandra Kavati, Senior Vice President, Chief Partnerships and Revenue Officer at APMG. “APM is the nation’s largest distributor and producer of classical music, and we now have the opportunity to bring Classical 24 to a wider audience.”

“We’re proud of the great success of C24,” said Kerri Hoffman, CEO of PRX. “We believe public radio stations will be well-served by this transition to integration across APM’s portfolio, thanks to APM’s leadership in classical music programming.”

“Classical 24 displays an important role in the public media system as a service that brings listeners not only consistent entertainment through music, but also companionship, comfort, and insight,” said Sean Nesbitt, Senior Director of Industry Partnerships at PRX. “Thank you to APM and to C24's many team members and collaborators, as we're proud to have been a part of the production's journey for more than two decades. We look forward to the future of classical music and public media."

APM is a premier producer and distributor of public radio programming and offers classical programs and hosts for every audience. APM produces and distributes a dynamic mix of daily and weekly programs, documentaries and exclusive specials that inform, inspire, entertain and engage. PRX is a non-profit public media company specializing in audio journalism and storytelling, serving independent producers as well as organizations by helping them connect to their most engaged, supportive audiences. 

Visit the Classical 24 webpage at c24.org for program schedule.

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About YourClassical
YourClassical is a collection of curated classical music listening experiences produced by Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. YourClassical provides audiences with the music they love through terrestrial broadcasts and multiple web-based platforms. Nationally syndicated YourClassical programs include C24, Pipedreams, SymphonyCast, Composers Datebook and Performance Today, and are in addition to the Radio, Lullaby, Relax, Peaceful Piano, and Holiday audio streams that can be found at YourClassical.org.  YourClassical Kid’s Initiatives strive to inspire the next generation of music fans and artists through in-school learning experiences, educational content, and resources for teachers and parents. Each week, nearly 2.75 million people engage with YourClassical. Learn more and listen at yourclassical.org.

About American Public Media 
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org. 

About PRX | PRI
PRX is a non-profit public media company specializing in audio journalism and storytelling. PRX serves independent producers and organizations by helping them connect to their most engaged, supportive audiences. One of the world’s leading podcast publishers, PRX works in partnership with TED, PBS, the Smithsonian, Futuro Media, GBH, Religion of Sports, and more. PRX is also home to Radiotopia, known as one of the most creative and successful podcast networks. In addition, PRX distributes trusted and treasured public radio programming to hundreds of stations nationwide, including “The World,” “The Moth Radio Hour,” “This American Life,” “Snap Judgment,” “Reveal,” “The Takeaway,” and “Latino USA.” PRX programs have been recognized by the Peabody Awards, duPont-Columbia Awards, the IDA Documentary Awards, and the Pulitzer Prizes.

Marketplace Looks Within for New Make Me Smart Co-Host

Kimberly Adams officially joins Kai Ryssdal as podcast co-host

LOS ANGELES, March 11, 2022 – American Public Media’s Marketplace has named Kimberly Adams the new co-host of the popular podcast Make Me Smart. 

Adams, a fan favorite for years, assumes her permanent hosting role alongside co-host Kai Ryssdal effective immediately. 

Adams is based at Marketplace’s Washington, DC bureau where she covers the intersection of politics and the economy as a correspondent and fill-in host for Marketplace, Marketplace Morning Report and Marketplace Tech.  

“Make Me Smart listeners have always appreciated Kimberly’s presence on the podcast. In fact, many requested that she assume the permanent role months ago,” said Neal Scarbrough, Vice President and General Manager of Marketplace. “She is a top talent in this business and making her a permanent host was an easy decision for us. Kimberly’s depth of knowledge spanning politics, technology and the economy gives her a great perspective to be tackling these complicated issues alongside Kai.” 

“I’ve had a great time filling in with Kai on Make Me Smart, and I’m thrilled to be stepping into this role full-time,” said Adams. “With so much going on in the economy and the world, Make Me Smart is a great platform to have thoughtful conversations about serious topics, and a bit of fun as well. Plus, the show has an engaged and interesting audience that has already made ME smarter, and I’m excited to learn even more with them.”  

Make Me Smart, which is averaging two million downloads, keeps its audience top of mind, constantly pivoting to address listeners’ biggest questions about the news. The show began as a weekly podcast about the economy, technology and culture unpacking often complex topics. Two years ago, it started releasing episodes five times a week in recognition that the issues it typically tackles had become even more important as the pandemic reshaped our lives. Now, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, listeners have turned to the hosts once again to answer their questions about how the conflict affects the economy. 

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About Marketplace 
Marketplace® is on a mission to raise the economic intelligence of the country. Its core programs —Marketplace®, Marketplace Morning Report® and Marketplace Tech® — are currently broadcast nationwide on more than 800 public radio stations and heard by 12.5 million weekly listeners, with over 400 additional commercial stations carrying the Marketplace Minute program. Marketplace podcasts, including Make Me Smart with Kai and Molly, The Uncertain Hour®, This Is Uncomfortable and Million Bazillion, can be found at Marketplace.org or on your favorite podcast app. The Marketplace portfolio of programs are produced and distributed by American Public Media® (APM), one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world. For more information on Marketplace, visit marketplace.org, follow us on Twitter @marketplace or like us on Facebook. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org. 

About American Public Media 
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.   

American Public Media Group Announces Winners of the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 25, 2022 – Last night, Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group (APMG) announced the winners of the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism, a national competition seeking groundbreaking startups and student-led ventures that will reinvent media over the coming decade.  

APMG hosted the competition in partnership with WarnerMedia, Google News Initiative, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Thomson Reuters, The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University, the Carlson Family Foundation, TechNexus and Supernode Global. American Public Media’s Marketplace was the national promotional partner and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP provided legal service. 

The Next Challenge was launched 20 weeks ago with a strong commitment to promote racial and gender equity in media, embracing the demographic shift occurring in our communities and seeking out startups with diverse teams. 482 total participants representing 265 startups from 37 U.S. states and two U.S. territories kicked off the application process. By the end of the competition, 84 percent of all participants identified as Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, and/or female/non-binary. 

In December, 39 division finalists were paired with industry mentors to help hone their business plans and prepare for judging rounds. More than 60 judges from across the country participated in three rounds of the competition to determine the division and grand prize winners.  

A national showcase event took place virtually and the winners were announced last night: 

• Grand Prize: A grant totaling $50,000 was awarded to Noticias para Inmigrantes, a media and communications organization providing Spanish news and information to over two million immigrants on emerging digital platforms. Noticias para Inmigrantes was also the winner of the News & Information Division. 

• Civic Engagement Division: A $20,000 grant was awarded to Bridgemakers, an initiative that bridges the Gen Z civic media gap by building Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) youth-led journalism capacity. 

• Distribution Channels Division: A $20,000 grant was awarded to Black & Sexy TV, a media company closing the content gap for Black Millennials. 

• Student Ventures Division: A $10,000 grant was awarded to The Yappie, a leading publication dedicated to tracking the rise of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) political power. 

• The Vision Award was given to The Plug, a digital news and insights platform redefining who we call genius. This award recognized a startup with a bold vision to reinvent media over the coming decade. 

• The Community Service Award was given to CivicLex, a startup that helps communities build civic media that reinforces our democracy. This award recognized a startup with a powerful impact on the community it serves. 

• The Future Tech Award was given to the Emblematic Group, a no-code solution for creating and sharing immersive content across any device. This award recognizes a startup using new technology to advance media in the public interest.

“We were thrilled with the quality and diversity of applicants to the inaugural Next Challenge,” said Jean Taylor, President and CEO of American Public Media Group. “Now, we are eager to see how all of the startups in the competition continue to grow and explore new and innovative ways to touch media audiences across the country and around the globe.” 

“This is only the beginning of our support for these groundbreaking media startups,” said Jeff Freeland Nelson, Executive Director of Glen Nelson Center. “We will continue to work with these founders and their teams as they build their business plans, seek out customers and investors and develop new media products that serve the public interest.”  

For more information visit thenextchallenge.com. 

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About the Glen Nelson Center 
Launched in 2018, Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group identifies, elevates, and invests in groundbreaking media ventures led by a diverse group of visionary founders. Connecting startup founders and teams with APMG staff, advisors, and board members informs strategic planning, supports long-term revenue and audience goals and strengthens the APMG innovation culture. For more information, visit GlenNelson.org. 

About American Public Media Group 
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR®), a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states, and Southern California Public Radio, a five-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, Coachella Valley, Santa Barbara, and the Inland Empire. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media® (APM), reach over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programming in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, also offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APMG, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.  

American Public Media and BBC World Service Announce Renewal of BBC Distribution Partnership in the U.S.

APM has distributed BBC World Service English radio programming since 2012.

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 8, 2022 – American Public Media (APM) and BBC World Service announced the renewal of their distribution partnership for BBC World Service’s English radio programming to U.S. public radio stations for the next five years. 

As the only distributor of BBC World Service content in the U.S., APM will continue to focus on delivering the BBC’s award-winning global journalism, breaking news, and programming to more than 600 public radio station across the U.S. Public radio listenership for BBC World Service’s English broadcasts have seen significant growth of 67 percent since APM took over the partnership in 2012. 

“We are proud to continue our work with BBC World Service,” said David Kansas, President of APM. “Our partner stations and public radio listeners rely on BBC’s trusted and timely programming to bring 24/7 global news coverage so they can stay up to date on world events. BBC’s programming is consistent with our organization’s values of putting listeners first and elevating diverse voices and stories.”

 “We are delighted to continue to serve U.S. public radio stations and their listeners and meet their increasing demand for global news through our partnership with APM” said Liliane Landor, Senior Controller of BBC News International Services and Director of BBC World Service. “The international perspective that the BBC brings to news and programming is a great complement to U.S.-based local and national news and APM is the right partner to bring our voice to an American public.”

BBC broadcasts include news and current affairs programming, including its flagship global daily program Newshour. In 2014, BBC and APM also introduced BBC Topline, a daily 90-second program recapping the world’s most important stories, curated for U.S. audiences. Topline was produced to complement public radio stations’ morning drive clock. In early 2020, Deeply Human podcast was launched, a BBC World Service and APM co-production with iHeartMedia, exploring the psychology, biology and anthropological explanations of human traits.

This is APM’s second distribution renewal with BBC World Service, and it will remain in place until June 2027.

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

About BBC World Service
BBC World Service delivers news content around the world in English and 41 other language services, on radio, TV and digital.  BBC World Service reaches a weekly audience of 364 million. As part of BBC World Service, BBC Learning English teaches English to global audiences. For more information, visit bbc.com/worldservice. The BBC attracts a weekly global audience of 489 million people to its services available internationally, including BBC World Service, BBC World News television channel, bbc.com/news, BBC Studios and the international charity, BBC Media Action.

APMG VIRTUAL CONFERENCE AND CAREER FAIR ON MARCH 1

We are Public Media, Powered by You

LOS ANGELES and ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 1, 2022 –American Public Media Group will host its first APMG Virtual Conference and Career Fair on Tuesday, March 1. Registration is available here.  

APMG seeks talented individuals with a passion for public media to fill full- and part-time job positions. Career opportunities in content, data, digital, development and more are available at APMG locations in St. Paul, Minnesota, Los Angeles and New York, as well as remote work positions.  

Job seekers will have the opportunity to hear from APMG leaders, have one-on-one conversations with hiring managers, meet the recruitment team and network at the all-virtual online career fair. 

“We’re excited to share the incredible opportunities we have available,” said APMG’s Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, Christine Phelps. “We’re looking for people who value working in a listener and community driven environment. We also want people to feel we’re the right move in their career. This conference offers candidates the chance to meet directly with managers informally and learn more about our mission-driven organization.” 

Working at APMG presents an opportunity to learn from the organization’s first female CEO, Jean Taylor, be involved in partnerships that will reinvent media over the coming decade, develop future on-demand programming initiatives and contribute to impactful work in service of our communities: Inclusion at MPR News and Dialogue from Southern California Public Radio. 

Talented, curious individuals and job seekers interested in more information about the event can visit the APMG Virtual Conference and Career Fair site here. To check out the current list of job openings, visit APMG career’s site at apmgcareers.org.  

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About American Public Media Group  
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. Our mission is to enrich the mind and nourish the spirit – enhancing lives, expanding perspectives, and strengthening communities. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR®), a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states, and Southern California Public Radio, a five-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, Coachella Valley, Santa Barbara, and the Inland Empire. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media® (APM), reach over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programming in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, also offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APMG, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.  

Dessa Digs Deep with New Season of “Deeply Human”

BBC World Service, iHeartMedia and American Public Media continue co-production of podcast

NEW YORK and ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan.  31, 2022 — Writer and musician Dessa continues her exploration of human behavior, instincts, and culture in season two of her podcast, “Deeply Human.”  

This weekly podcast, a collaboration of BBC World Service, iHeartMedia and American Public Media (APM), will return on February 18. Throughout the course of the new twelve-episode season, Dessa investigates our tendencies to create social hierarchies and to use intoxicants; she speaks to experts on monogamy, accents, and the dark forces at play in the way we perceive and pursue beauty. Listen to the season two trailer here.

The episodes feature researchers with expertise in neuroscience, evolution, cultural history, criminology, sleep, hoarding--and even a legendary New York DJ--to uncover the sociological and physiological drivers of our behaviors. The season builds on a successful first season which attracted a dedicated fanbase by exploring the human experience with rigor, humor, intimate stories, and the occasional spit take.   

“Deeply Human” is coproduced by BBC World Service, American Public Media, and iHeartMedia and is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network. “Deeply Human” brings together BBC’s century-long expertise in audio storytelling, APM’s success in the American podcast market, and iHeartMedia’s position as the No. 1 podcast publisher globally. 

 Listeners can find “Deeply Human” on iHeartRadio, BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. Binge all of season one now on iHeartRadio and everywhere else podcasts are available.  

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About Dessa   
Dessa is a rapper, singer, and writer who’s made a career of defying genre conventions and audience expectations. As a writer, she has contributed to The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, and literary journals across the United States. As a musician, she’s collaborated with full orchestras, contributed to The Hamilton Mixtape on the invitation of Lin-Manuel Miranda, appeared on the Billboard Top 200 charts, and toured five continents. Dessa's work is driven by an interest in finding unexpected connections--between love and science; big ideas and mundane moments, instinct and philosophy. Her TED Talk, which investigates the neuroscience of love, has clocked more than 4 million views. Dessa’s delivery balances wit, tenderness, intellectual rigor, and poetic sensibility. She splits her time between Minneapolis and Manhattan. @dessa on Instagram, @dessadarling on Twitter/Facebook.  

About BBC World Service 
BBC World Service delivers news content around the world in English and 41 other language services, on radio, TV, and digital.  BBC World Service reaches a weekly audience of 364m. As part of BBC World Service, BBC Learning English teaches English to global audiences. For more information, visit bbc.com/worldservice. The BBC attracts a weekly global audience of 489m people to its services available internationally, including BBC World Service, BBC World News television channel, bbc.com/news, BBC Studios, and the international charity, BBC Media Action. 

About American Public Media  
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business, and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.  Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Spring ‘21.  

About iHeartMedia  
iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 250 million people each month. It is number one in both broadcast and digital streaming radio as well as podcasting and audio ad tech and includes three business segments: The iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group; the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group; and the Audio and Media Services Group. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information. 

American Public Media Group Names Liwanag Ojala Chief Transformation Officer

New Appointment Underscores Commitment to Expand Audience Reach and Accelerate Digital Transformation

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 14, 2021 — American Public Media Group (APMG) announced the appointment of Liwanag Ojala as Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, effective January 10, 2022. In this new role, Liwanag will mobilize the organization’s digital transformation and guide cross-functional initiatives to accelerate new revenue growth, audience growth and impact.

"Liwanag is a highly respected collaborative partner and results-oriented change agent with more than two decades of experience leading digital transformation in both non-profit and for-profit sectors," said Jean Taylor, CEO of APMG. "I am confident that her expertise in building teams to focus on expanding reach and driving digital innovation will position APMG to simultaneously deliver on our mission as a public media company and achieve our objectives for impact and growth."

From 2016 through 2020, Liwanag served as CEO of CaringBridge, a global nonprofit social network dedicated to connecting friends and families facing challenging health journeys. As CEO, she successfully led CaringBridge’s strategic turnaround – repositioning the brand, evolving the culture, strengthening community partnerships and modernizing technology. Prior to CaringBridge, Liwanag served as Vice President, eCommerce for Meijer, Inc, a Midwest-based supercenter chain, where she championed and led its multichannel grocery strategy. She also previously held senior leadership positions at Pear Tree Greetings and CobornsDelivers.com and practiced law at Briggs & Morgan and Spartan Nash. She has served on the APMG/MPR Board of Trustees since 2016, resigning to accept this newly created management role. Liwanag received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Minnesota. She was recently honored with two awards recognizing her success as a leader in the Twin Cities: 100 Who Care Award, by Holding Co & IDEO 2020 and Person to Know in 2020, by Twin Cities Business Magazine 2020.

"I'm both excited and energized by the opportunity to serve as APMG’s Chief Transformation Officer and help this organization continue to innovate and grow," said Liwanag Ojala. “I look forward to working with Jean and the dedicated APMG/MPR team to provide an exceptional listening experience and programming offerings for a broader, more diverse audience."

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About American Public Media Group 
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR®), a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states, and Southern California Public Radio, a five-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, Coachella Valley, Santa Barbara, and the Inland Empire. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media® (APM), reach over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programming in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, also offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APMG, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org. 

Performance Today Names Five Students for 2021-2022 Young Artist in Residency Series

ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 11, 2021 –Performance Today (PT), from YourClassical and distributed by American Public Media, has announced five young musicians who have been identified for the 2021-2022 Performance Today Young Artists in Residence Program (PTYA).   

Performance Today is the most popular, award winning classical music radio program in the country. PT works with the best conservatories from around the country to identify their top talent to take part in the PTYA Program each year.

Each Young Artist will have performances and interviews with host Fred Child recorded for broadcast and will participate in outreach to elementary and middle-school students. 

This year’s Young Artists include:

·         Anais Feller, violin, Colburn School of Music
Feller regularly participates in summer academies in Europe and the U.S. She won a gold medal at the Burgos International Festival Competition in Spain in 2019 and won second prize at The Southern California Philharmonic Young Artist Competition in 2020. Her recent performances include the Bach double concerto alongside Ray Chen at the Laguna Beach Music Festival and at the Basically Beethoven Festival in Dallas. Feller also devotes her time performing at charity events such as the Christmas charity concerts for the Brain Trauma Foundation and at the fundraising concert for Hurricane Harvey victims.

·         Ariel Sol (Ari) Bertulfo Schwartz, harp, Jacobs School of Music
Schwartz is a harpist and composer whose compositions have been recognized multiple times by the Illinois Music Education Association. He was selected as the Featured Young Composer of the American Harp Society in 2017. Schwartz has been tapped more than once by the Greater Chicago Chapter of the American Harp Society’s Scholarship Competition to perform as a soloist at Lyon & Healy. He has also played at the Peoria Civic Center, the Grant Park Music Festival’s Music in the Parks Series, St. Olaf College, and Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium. In his music, Schwartz strives to dismantle the traditional accessibility barriers associated with classical music and aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on stage and within audiences.

·         Sterling Elliot, cello, The Juilliard School
Awarded first prize in the Senior Division of the 2019 22nd Annual Sphinx Competition, Elliot was the youngest finalist and even won the audience choice award. His recent performances were at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland which included a performance on the CNBC Television Network. Sterling had the honor of performing for French and American cellist YoY o Ma, and he also performed alongside recording artist Jennifer Hudson. He has won several awards throughout his career and is a two-time alum of NPR’s From the Top. Sterling is one of the youngest musicians to work as a sub for the New York Philharmonic and is a proud recipient of a Kovner Fellowship.

·         Tyler Martin, flute, Shepherd School of Music
Martin is an orchestral musician, freelance flutist and a private instructor. He plays with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and subs with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, Martin was selected as a member of the 2020 Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, Texas Music Festival Orchestra and was granted a teaching assistantship at Brevard Music Center. He has played in countries including Spain, France, Italy, Brussels, Switzerland and the Dominican Republic. A winner of numerous awards, his most recent were a first prize in the Houston Flute Club’s Byron Hester Competition, and second prize in the NY Flute Club and Austin Flute Society Young Artist Competition this year. Martin is passionate about teaching, music advocacy and amplifying BIPOC voices in classical music.

·         Hao Yang, classical guitar, Curtis Institute
Yang was recently honored as the winner of the Astral National Auditions. Her other prizes include placing first in the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition, the Andrés Segovia International Competition for Young Guitarists, and the Columbus State University Guitar Symposium international competition.  She has performed with the Chursächsische Philharmonie in Germany and at Beijing guitar festivals as well as venues including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing, Princeton Sound Kitchen, SubCulture in New York, and Miller Theatre at Columbia University. She also appears on numerous recordings for Bridge Records Inc.

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About YourClassical
YourClassical® is a collection of curated classical music listening experiences and information produced by Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media®. YourClassical provides audiences with the music they love through terrestrial broadcasts and multiple web-based platforms. Nationally syndicated YourClassical programs include Pipedreams®, SymphonyCast®, Composers Datebook® and Performance Today®, and are in addition to the Radio, Lullaby, Relax, Peaceful Piano, and Holiday audio streams that can be found at YourClassical.org. Regional music programming produced by YourClassical MPR®, is a trusted companion for listeners across Minnesota on broadcast radio, web interfaces and live events. YourClassical MPR’s Kid’s Initiatives strives to inspire the next generation of music fans and artists through in-school learning experiences, educational content, and resources for teachers and parents. Each week, nearly 2.75 million people engage with YourClassical . Learn more and listen at yourclassical.org.

About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.  Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Spring ‘21. 

APM Studios Names Joanne Griffith Chief Content Officer and Promotes Thomas De Napoli to Chief Strategy Officer

New Appointments Solidify Senior Leadership for American Public Media’s Podcast Outfit with Lily Kim Continuing as General Manager and Alex Schaffert as Chief Operating Officer

ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 7, 2021 — APM Studios (www.apmstudios.org), the podcast production division of American Public Media (APM), has announced two new executive appointments. Effective immediately, Joanne Griffith joins the team as Chief Content Officer and Thomas De Napoli has been named Chief Strategy Officer, solidifying the senior leadership team under General Manager Lily Kim. Along with Chief Operating Officer Alex Schaffert, the group is charged with forwarding the studio's mission to tell stories that inspire change through unique perspectives, voices and realities.

Griffith will oversee the editorial vision and brand voice for APM Studios and will have creative oversight on original and acquired podcasts. Her new role marks her return to APM, having previously worked with Marketplace, the organization’s business and economic news outlet, where she implemented a successful audience engagement-focused approach to growing the enterprise’s digital footprint. With over 20 years of experience in audio reporting, producing and editing, Griffith has a deep background in public media, working with the BBC, NPR, Southern California Public Radio and KQED. She was recently the founding managing editor of The California Newsroom, one of NPR’s first collaborative regional news hubs, and was also the lead producer on ESPN’s 30 for 30 podcast The King of Crenshaw.

As Chief Strategy Officer for APM Studios, De Napoli will lead on all business development efforts to extend APM’s podcast IP across multimedia platforms, including consumer products and experiences. He will also continue managing sponsor and partner revenue growth for the organization’s portfolio of on-demand audio content. De Napoli joined APM in 2020 as managing director, and over the past year has built the podcast business' sales and business development strategy, including a landmark partnership deal with Cadence 13. Prior to APM, he led ViacomCBS’ digital transformation initiatives to monetize its social media footprint and developed revenue-generating partnerships with leading creators and digital publishers.

“During this pivotal time for APM Studios, Alex, Tom and I are thrilled to welcome Joanne. Given her impressive background in public media, her thoughtful audience-engagement approach towards storytelling, and the past initiatives she has led to champion diversity efforts, it was clear from the start that Joanne would be the perfect person to round out our leadership team," commented Lily Kim, General Manager, APM Studios. "Expanding Tom's role here at APM Studios was also an easy decision given the significant impact and growth he’s led on content innovation and digital sales capabilities across our organization.”

“Over the past 18 months, the media ecosystem has experienced a rapid acceleration from an ‘attention’ economy that is measured in impressions, views, and clicks towards a ‘passion economy’ realized in fan love, engagement and loyalty. We’re excited about the opportunity this opens up for public media organizations like APM Studios to build partnerships and develop new offerings with others who share our values as we continue to advance our purpose-driven mission of delivering accessible, relevant and impactful stories to new and existing audiences in storytelling spaces beyond audio.”

Flagship podcasts produced by APM Studios include the award-winning Terrible, Thanks for Asking; Brains On!; Don’t Ask Tig; The Splendid Table; and The Slowdown. The studio — which specializes in developing and producing podcasts across multiple genres, including kids and family, news and investigative, and personality and lifestyle categories — has several new programs in development to launch in the upcoming fall/winter season.

The new leadership appointments follow APM Studios becoming an official entity under the American Public Media umbrella.

For more information, visit the new website at apmstudios.org.

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 public radio stations and around 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Spring ‘21.

American Public Media Group Launches the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism

Finalists in the national startup competition will receive free training and mentorship from media leaders, winners will split $100,000 in prize money

ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 5, 2021 – Today, Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group (APMG) launched the Next Challenge for Media and Journalism, a national competition seeking groundbreaking startups and student-led ventures that will reinvent media over the coming decade.

APMG is hosting the competition in partnership with WarnerMedia, Google News Initiative, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University, and the Carlson Family Foundation. APM’s Marketplace is the national promotional partner and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is providing legal service.

Entries are open at thenextchallenge.com and will be accepted through Nov. 7.

“The Next Challenge is our opportunity to see the future of media,” said Jeff Freeland Nelson, Executive Director of Glen Nelson Center. “Our goal is to find the most promising media startups and support talented and diverse entrepreneurs anywhere in the country.”

Over 20 weeks and numerous digital events, the Next Challenge will showcase both for-profit and nonprofit early-stage media startups based in the United States in four divisions:

·         News & Information Division supported by Google News Initiative: startups that provide access to accurate news, increase media literacy, and break down barriers between communities and factual information.

·         Civic Engagement Division supported by Knight Foundation: startups that bridge diverse and disparate communities, promote honest civil discourse, and give audiences new tools to gain insight from others.

·         Distribution Channels Division supported by WarnerMedia: startups creating new digital platforms, revolutionizing the way media content is delivered across the country and around the globe. 

·         Student Ventures Division supported by Temple University/Lenfest Institute: student-led news & information, civic engagement, or distribution channel ventures

The Next Challenge is committed to promoting equity in media, embracing the demographic shift occurring in communities across the country and investing in startups with diverse teams. One goal of the competition is that 51% or more of judges, mentors and first-round applicants identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or female.

“It's up to all of us to support media startups revolutionizing the way content is made and distributed,” said Axel Caballero, Vice President of Artistic and Cultural Innovations at WarnerMedia. “We are excited to partner with American Public Media Group to discover what's next in media.”

“Civic engagement is vital for a vibrant democracy,” said Jai Winston, Knight Foundation’s Program Director for St. Paul. “We’re thrilled to partner with APMG to support talented entrepreneurs and students who have great ideas on how tech and innovation can help serve as tools to better connect people to their community and each other.”

Up to 40 division finalists will be paired with industry mentors to help hone their business plan and prepare for the final rounds of the competition. The Next Challenge will conclude with a national showcase event in February of 2022, where more than $100,000 in cash grants and other benefits will be awarded to winning companies.

For more information visit thenextchallenge.com.

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About the Glen Nelson Center
Launched in 2018, Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group identifies, elevates, and invests in groundbreaking media ventures led by a diverse group of visionary founders. Connecting startup founders and teams with APMG staff, advisors, and board members informs strategic planning, supports long-term revenue and audience goals and strengthens the APMG innovation culture. For more information, visit GlenNelson.org.

About American Public Media Group
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR®), a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states, and Southern California Public Radio, a five-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, Coachella Valley, Santa Barbara, and the Inland Empire. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media® (APM), reach over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programming in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, also offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APMG, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.