INTERVIEW VIEW

InterviewINTER A Diversifi ed Portfolio

An Interview with Steve Capus, President, NBC News

although, i don’t think we can take it for positions with diverse backgrounds. otherwise, granted, network news provides an incredibly when a story breaks, we’re likely to all respond important service and plays a key role in soci- the same way. it’s also not enough to have peo- ety, and it’s still valued. Nightly News has grown ple around the organization with diverse back- its audience year over year. nbc in recent years grounds; they also need to be empowered to expanded the Today show from the original two speak up in editorial meetings. hours to four hours a day, and we have an off- Cable is now known for broadcasting shoot of nbc news now on cable with msnbc. very partisan shows. Does that concern you so, at least for nbc news, the marketplace val- long-term? ues our output and there is a desire for news cable news is in a different game at differ- more than ever before. ent times of the day. there ought to be a diver- What is it about the model that has sity of viewpoints on the air, but it should not helped you remain strong and profi table always be about who can shout the loudest or while others have not? which party is in charge at any given time. i en- we have a great diversifi ed portfolio, includ- courage our people to be smart in the way they ing the leading morning news broadcast with the present those opinions, offer well-reasoned ar- Today show; a very aggressive number one eve- guments in support of their stances, and treat ning newscast, Nightly News with Brian Williams, people with respect. msnbc has earned the that never takes any of its success for granted; reputation in recent years as the place where Steve Capus and the number one franchise on sunday morn- some of the smartest dialogue is taking place. ing, which is the longest running show in televi- How has MSNBC.com grown, and what EDITORS’ NOTE Steve Capus was named to sion, Meet the Press. our diversifi ed portfolio is do you see for it going forward? his current post in November 2005. Capus had based around a couple of things: fi rst, our pri- msnbc.com began in 1996 at the same served as Senior Vice President of NBC News since mary business is the broadcast newscasts, and time as msnbc cable. msnbc.com is still a June 2005, and was the Executive Producer of we are committed to those being leading prop- joint venture with nbc and microsoft, and the nbc nightly news since May 2001. He has re- erties; we have a cable news business, which partnership with microsoft is terrifi c. one of the ceived four Emmy Awards, eight Edward R. automatically makes our portfolio different from things we have brought to the equation is con- Murrow Awards, one Alfred I. DuPont, and six our competitors; then you round it out with stantly increasing the online video in the news National Headliner Awards. In 2007, he earned msnbc.com, which is an incredibly successful space. we have entire teams working at nbc the Ida B. Wells Award from the National online news outlet. we also have some exciting news who are just producing for msnbc.com, Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). From news businesses like peacock productions, nbc and that is working well; this is a differentiator 1997 to May 2001, Capus was the Executive learn, and thegrio.com. for us. we have the power of nbc news, the Producer of MSNBC’s the news with brian we were not immune to the recession, but reach of msn and microsoft, and the video con- williams. Before this, Capus served as the Senior we have much more of a cushion by the fact tent of nbc news. all of that together forms a Broadcast Producer for MSNBC’s daytime news that we have msnbc as part of our portfolio. pretty good strategy. coverage since its launch in 1996. During 1995, With people like Brian Williams, David If someone suggested that 17 years he was the Supervising Producer for today, and Gregory, or Matt Lauer, this is a brand that after joining NBC News, not only would before that, he was the Broadcast Producer of has retained a lot of its talent – they stay you still be there but that you would be its nbc news at sunrise. He joined NBC News in and grow within the company. How critical President, would you have believed them? 1993 as the Senior Producer of NBC Nightside is that consistency? no, i never would have anticipated being in Charlotte, N.C. Capus graduated from Temple it’s incredibly important. our success these in this role. i came here because i liked the University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in days is built around the consistency at nbc news. energy and camaraderie. there was something, journalism. people understand that they can expect quality, and there is still something, that is different and see people they know, recognize, and respect. about the way this place operates in compari- COMPANY BRIEF By 2009, NBC News How critical has maintaining a diverse son to the others. (www.nbc.com), the news division of television newsroom been to your success? For the people in this news division who network NBC, had established leadership in net- it’s extremely critical. we recently received are now the age that i was when i joined, there work news, airing the highest-rated morning, eve- the best practices award from the national is so much opportunity within this place. in ning, and Sunday interview news programs. association of black Journalists. that is a great an era where newspapers are being shuttered, honor for this division because it underscores we’re moving in the opposite direction. i want There is much conversation today about the the kind of opportunities and practices we have to grow nbc news and i want people to be future of network news. Do you feel there in place. able to build their careers here. i want to stay is an adequate appreciation of the value it it’s incredibly important for a news division relevant to the consumer in a saturated 24/7 provides? to have a diverse makeup and people in key news environment• volume 33, number 3 posted with permission. copyright © 2010 leaders magazine, inc. leaders 49