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Jennifer Mitchell: A Visionary Leader in Broadcast Media
Jennifer Mitchell has taken the reins of CBS Stations, overseeing both local and national digital initiatives. She manages 27 CBS-owned stations across 17 markets, collaborating closely with general managers and their teams to enhance station operations.
With a strong background in audience-driven digital content strategies, Mitchell has been a catalyst for innovation within CBS Stations’ newsrooms as well as its streaming and digital platforms. She also extends her leadership and business acumen to CBS-owned independent stations in key markets such as Atlanta, Seattle, and Tampa.
During her tenure at CBS Stations, Mitchell has implemented a strategic operations plan that has resulted in significant milestones, including the introduction of a comprehensive nine-hour morning show on KCAL News in Los Angeles and the establishment of a community journalism team focused on hyperlocal news in Denver through CBS Colorado. This forward-thinking approach has propelled CBS-owned stations to the forefront of streaming, achieving top rankings in various markets. In recognition of these accomplishments, CBS Stations was celebrated as the Station Group of the Year by Broadcasting and Cable in 2023.
Mitchell’s passion for innovation is notably reflected in her initiatives at CBS Bay Area, where she partnered with local leadership to launch an augmented reality and virtual reality weather forecasting program. This pioneering format has transformed weather reporting and laid the groundwork for a unique all-AR/VR news show that airs twice daily.
Her journey with CBS Stations began in September 2021, following a 22-year tenure at ABC Owned Television Stations, where she served as senior vice president of content development. In that role, she was instrumental in shaping the multiplatform content strategy for eight local stations and is credited with creating the successful lifestyle brand Localish, which has evolved into a long-form programming entity.
Mitchell also played a critical role in establishing ABC’s race and culture content team, overseeing the hiring of executive producers and reporters while launching the acclaimed docuseries “Our America: Living While Black,” which addresses important issues relevant to diverse communities. Her leadership legacy extends to various positions, including vice president of digital creative content, and she brings 15 years of experience from KGO-TV, the ABC-owned station in San Francisco.
In 2024, Mitchell’s contributions were recognized with her induction into the LEA Awards, which honor leadership, excellence, and advocacy in the media industry. She has also been honored as a Cynopsis Top Woman in Media and recognized as one of Cablefax’s Most Powerful Women.
Mitchell’s innovative spirit and commitment to advancing digital media earned her the News Innovator of the Year award from the Local Media Association in 2020. This was in recognition of her successful strategies in content creation and digital production across the ABC stations, which opened new avenues for content and revenue generation. In 2019, she was also distinguished with the Innovator Award from TVNewsCheck, a testament to her impact in social media excellence.
Mitchell holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and social psychology from Ithaca College and operates from the West Coast, continuing to influence the landscape of broadcast media with her vision and leadership.
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www.cbsnews.com