WFYI Announces New Chief Content Officer, Erin Earnest

WFYI Public Media announced that, following a nationwide search, Erin Earnest has been selected as chief content officer of the station. Earnest previously worked at Butler University and Live Nation, and joins WFYI, Central Indiana’s NPR and PBS member station, in a period of expanded, multiplatform audiences.

In this role, Earnest leads the station’s news, audio and video content production, as well as oversees WFYI’s broadcast efforts on three television and five radio channels. She brings robust experience leading high-performing creative and storytelling teams, as well as previous time working in public media, having interned with WFYI’s video production team and serving as a freelance producer with the station.

“I'm looking forward to working with WFYI’s talented storytellers and journalists,” said Erin Earnest. “Right now, public media is uniquely positioned to serve communities across a wide range of platforms, reaching those who know us well and connecting with new audiences. WFYI’s team is already operating at the nexus of broadcast and digital media, and I’m eager to see how we can expand our impact.”

Earnest joins WFYI following a period of rapid digital audience growth, an expanded service area, and newsroom additions. In July 2022, WFYI assumed management and ownership of WBAA, Indiana’s longest operating public media station, from Purdue University. In the last decade, WFYI News added teams to report on health, education, policy and criminal justice. Additionally, WFYI has been recognized for excellence in reporting and for a number of programs, including podcasts Echoes of Indiana Avenue, Cultural Manifesto and Sick, as well as Indiana Week In Review, Simple Civics and The Revolutionist: Eugene V. Debs.

“Erin brings collaborative leadership and both a comprehensive and contemporary understanding of the power of storytelling,” said WFYI President and CEO Greg Petrowich. “We are all looking forward to her leadership as WFYI’s team continues to provide trusted journalism, inspiring stories and lifelong learning to the diverse communities we serve.”

WFYI Public Media’s audio, video and news content can be found on a range of platforms, including on television (WFYI, WFYI-2 featuring PBS KIDS programs and WFYI-3 featuring CREATE programs), at 90.1 FM in Central Indiana, and at wfyi.org. Additionally, WBAA can be found at wbaa.org and at AM 920 and 105.9FM and 101.3FM in Greater Lafayette. Many WFYI television programs can also be found on the PBS Video App.
 

About WFYI Public Media
Since 1970, WFYI Public Media has served Central Indiana as a trusted friend. Its nonprofit public radio and TV stations, digital content and community engagement activities provide trusted journalism, inspiring stories and lifelong learning to Hoosiers of all ages and walks of life. WFYI broadcasts original content, as well as PBS and NPR programs, on three television channels, five radio services – including WBAA – and online. Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media (MIPM) is the parent organization of WFYI Public Media. Learn more at wfyi.org and follow WFYI online on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.