NPR Distribution is making some changes in how it manages the Public Radio Satellite System.
The organization has created two departments, one called Customer Development, the other Business & Fiscal Affairs. Previously these duties were handled by one entity, called Business Affairs and led by George Gimourginas, who has retired. His job essentially now is split into two disciplines.
“The new departments will focus on providing new and existing broadcast delivery services, products and support for PRSS customers while ensuring that NPR Distribution’s internal operations keep pace with future growth,” the organization stated.
Darlene Holmes, who recently joined NPR and has experience in the cable industry, heads Customer Development, responsible for managing customer relationships, public radio account management, commercial sales and market research. That means getting new stations signed up to the PRSS, finding new customers for the system and education program producers about ContentDepot, among other things.
She was a consultant and director of business development and digital online media for Vobile Inc. and has worked for Nickelodeon, Black Entertainment Television, MTV Networks and Discovery Networks.
Business & Fiscal Affairs will be headed by Joe Schifano, who is promoted to its director and will handle fiscal management, contracts management, product pricing, vendor negotiations and financial forecasting.
Schifano, a CPA, joined NPR in 1995 and most recently was deputy director of customer development within Business Affairs. He is credited with helping create and manage the internal business operations of PRSS.
PRSS transmits programming from approximately 200 producers to about 800 public radio stations.
