Some Familiar Faces Are Out At CNN.com

From WebNewser: CNN.com Live is shutting down its anchor-driven newscasts as of tomorrow.
WebNewser has learned Reggie Aqui, Nicole Lapin, Naamua Delaney and Melissa Long, the four primary anchors of CNN.com Live, are being let go as are several production staffers.
In an email, obtained by WebNewser, CNN.com Senior Vice President KC Estenson writes, CNN.com Live will shift resources, "to create a unit focused on streaming major live events, producing video packages especially for CNN.com and increasing our overall on-demand offering."
The shift also means CNN.com will be adding several new positions "focused on original video production" before the end of the year.

Here's Estenson's note to his staff, sent November 12, 2009 4:16 PM

Over the last year, CNN has been widely recognized as a pioneer and an innovator in the digital space. And while the CNN iPhone App and the launch of the new CNN.com already are proving to be extremely successful, we must continue to evolve in order to maintain relevancy and engage new audiences, as well as responsibly and effectively manage our business.
Throughout the process of imagining, developing and launching our new direction, defining a new video voice was a key cornerstone of that strategy. In building out that strategy, we took a hard look at the opportunities afforded us by both live and on-demand video on CNN.com.
To that end, beginning tomorrow, we will no longer produce anchor-driven, continuous live video programming on CNN.com; and instead, are shifting resources to create a unit focused on streaming major live events, producing video packages especially for CNN.com and increasing our overall on-demand offering.
While this restructuring does involve the elimination of some existing positions, under Mike Toppo's leadership we have a core team in place to further stretch our lead in online video. Additionally, between now and the end of the year, Mike will be hiring for seven open positions focused on original video production to bolster our team's efforts and deliver on our overall strategy.
As always, thank you for the tireless efforts you put into the site every day and for being so committed to our vision for the future.
--KC

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Porcelain & Politics

I’ve got some odds and ends for you tonight. The journalists covering the 2008 Presidential election get a front row seat to history as they get to see the potential future leader of the United States on the campaign trail. Although being on the road all the time is far from glamorous, I never expected to see this:

AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) — The scene of the Clinton press corps' less than ideal filing center in the Berger Activity Center men's locker room. (Photo Credit: Sasha Johnson/CNN) Updated 8:53 p.m. with a statement from Sen. Clinton's campaign: "These accommodations should in no way be taken as a commentary on the quality of our media coverage," said Clinton spokesman Doug Hattaway.

This was taken was CNN’s Political Ticker. I wonder where they would have put the press corp if they really didn’t like them?

Here's an update on a few staffing changes at CNN... these come from Media Week:

David Sheehan has joined the CNN News Services executive team as vice president for CNN content licensing and sales. In his new role, Sheehan oversees CNN ImageSource, CNN Worldwide's content and stock footage licensing business. Sheehan comes to CNN from ABC News VideoSource where, under his direction, the network saw record sales of ABC News’ stock footage. He also established key partnerships with a range of content partners. Sheehan joined ABC News VideoSource in 1995.

** Naamua Delaney has been hired as lead anchor for CNN.com Live. Most recently, Delaney was the host of NBC’s iVillage Live.

Jonathan Shar has been named general manager of CNNMoney.com. Shar was most recently vp, consumer marketing for the Sports Illustrated Group.

** iVillage Live! - Reporter: Naamua Delaney courtesy Mitchell Haaseth/NBC Photo

Naamua Delaney can already be seen on CNN.com LIVE. Here's a link to an interview she recently did with Heather Smith, executive director of Rock the Vote.

American Morning's John Roberts will be the emcee at the the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation's 18th annual First Amendment Awards Dinner on March 6 in Washington. More information on the event can be found on RTNDA's website.

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