WBUR GM Charlie Kravetz is leaving the station
“During Mr. Kravetz’s eight years as General Manager of WBUR, the station’s staff, reputation, digital platforms, and commitment to news and community engagement have grown to unprecedented levels.”
The general manager of WBUR, Charlie Kravetz, is leaving the station, the public radio newsroom reports. According to the joint statement from Boston University, Kravetz will relinquish his “day-to-day management” of the station starting this week and will vacate his position effective June 30. The station’s current managing director of news and programming, Sam Fleming, has been appointed to manage and oversee the station until a replacement for Kravetz is hired.“While Mr. Kravetz will no longer be resident at the station, he has agreed to provide Mr. Fleming with strategic advice and assistance during the transition,” the statement reads. “The University will launch a national search for Mr. Kravetz’s successor in the upcoming days. During Mr. Kravetz’s eight years as General Manager of WBUR, the station’s staff, reputation, digital platforms, and commitment to news and community engagement have grown to unprecedented levels. Mr. Kravetz leaves WBUR strongly positioned in the marketplace.”Staff at WBUR were informed of the the move Monday and reacted with shock on social media to the news. Kravetz was reportedly not present during the announcement.
Sadly @WBUR staff learn Station manager @CharlieKravetz will be leaving the station on June 30. He’s taken WBUR to new heights and will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/TTU9iBnhcE
— Bruce Gellerman (@AudioBruce) March 11, 2019
Gary Nicksa, senior vice president for operations at Boston University informs @wbur staff Station is in transition and cultural change & General Manager @CharlieKravetz will be leaving the station. overwhelming sadness. Charlie was an extraordinary leader. pic.twitter.com/roxAyfSNY1
— Bruce Gellerman (@AudioBruce) March 11, 2019
I’ve only worked at WBUR for a couple of years. But it was always clear that Charlie thinks deeply about the future of news and public media, and that he won the trust of very talented journalists and fundraisers. People here wish him the best.
— Max Larkin (@jmlarkin) March 11, 2019
I worked for Charlie Kravetz in my first TV job and was happy to work for him again in my first radio job. He is someone who, for better and for worse, does his job with personal passion along with intelligence and commitment. He’ll be missed. https://t.co/gNCbPQS3mC
— Daniel A. Guzman (@DGQuoVadimus) March 11, 2019
Many staff members were vocally or visibly concerned about the why behind Kravetz, after 8 years, not delivering this news to the staff himself. Nicksa repeatedly said the way employees are being told was a joint decision between BU officials, including Nicksa, and Kravetz.
— Lisa Creamer (@lisacreamer) March 11, 2019
Kravetz’s departure follows just weeks after producers, hosts, editors, reporters, and writers at WBUR voted to unionize.
