Media Releases

Carol Hirschfeld Joins Radio New Zealand

Released at 12:24 pm on 30 September 2014

Radio New Zealand CEO, Paul Thompson, has announced that Carol Hirschfeld, the former General Manager Production for Maori TV, is to join Radio New Zealand as Head of Content, and Radio New Zealand Networks Presentation Manager, John Howson, has been appointed to the new role as Head of Radio.

Today’s announcements complete the reorganisation of Radio New Zealand’s senior management team following an earlier appointment of the STUFF website editor, Glen Scanlon, to the position of Head of Digital Media.

Carol Hirschfeld will be responsible for News, Drama, Music, Spoken Features and Radio New Zealand International while John Howson will be responsible for all radio output across the Radio New Zealand National and Concert networks.

In making the announcements Paul Thompson has emphasised the importance of the new roles for Radio New Zealand as it implements a strategy to deliver high quality multi-media journalism and programming across multiple digital platforms.

“I am delighted to announce the two appointments. Both are very experienced broadcasters. Carol is a respected media executive with a proven track record of success in managing stories, developing programmes and leading staff, while John is an effective leader with a deep knowledge of Radio New Zealand and he has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve over the next two years.“

Carol Hirschfeld noted that the new position marks a return to an organisation where she began her career as a cadet reporter.

She says: “I believe strongly in the importance of public broadcasting and I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to a national media organisation that touches lives across New Zealand.”

She will join Radio New Zealand on November 24th.
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The Radio New Zealand Executive Team is:
Paul Thompson – Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief
Ken Law – Head of Business Services, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer
Glen Scanlon – Head of Digital Media (starts November 17)
Carol Hirschfeld – Head of Content (starts November 24)
John Howson – Head of Radio
Matthew Finn – Head of Technology
John Barr – Head of Communications
Radio New Zealand International manager Linden Clark also sits on the executive.

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