Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Veteran broadcast journalist Shelley Kofler takes on role as news director for KERA

By Pegasus News wire

Shelley Kofler, an award-winning broadcast journalist, multimedia producer and communications strategist, has signed on as news director to manage the news and public affairs efforts for KERA, the North Texas PBS and NPR affiliate.

Kofler, a veteran journalist whose recent work includes management of WFAA TV's Texas state capitol news bureau, brings years of experience as a producer, reporter and communications strategist to her new role at KERA. Kofler will begin work at KERA on May 21st.

As news director, Kofler will manage KERA's daily newsroom operation, supervising the organization's news personnel and overseeing news content, including reports and commentaries. Kofler will work with departments across the organization to develop strategies for multimedia distribution and external partnerships to further the station's content goals.

"Joining KERA is like going home in so many ways," says Kofler. "I'm excited about returning to North Texas, where I reported on government, politics and civic life for more than a decade. I'm thrilled to be joining the talented professionals at KERA who pursue news and programming with the high standards for quality and fairness that are hallmarks for public broadcasting. And I'm honored to be chosen for a position that will allow me to play a role in shaping news content that enlightens listeners and sparks community debate."

In addition to serving as Austin Bureau Chief from 2000-2004, Kofler's extensive experience includes working as a government and political reporter in the Dallas Bureau of KXAS-TV/NBC from 1985-1993; and as a reporter for WRAL-TV/CBS in Raleigh, N.C. from 1981-1985.

Kofler also founded and operated her own communications firm, Kofler Communications, in Dallas (1993-2000) and Austin (2004-2006). While managing her company, she produced, reported and provided on-air talent for national public broadcast documentaries developed by KERA. She also served as a reporter and host for KERA's public affairs television program, "On the Record."

Most recently Kofler worked as a public affairs account director for TateAustin Public Relations/Public Affairs in Austin, where she developed communications strategies for a variety of health, transportation and engineering clients.

Her communications awards include a Dallas Press Club Katie Award for her work on KERA's "Texas and the Latino Vote," an Emmy Award for her work on the "Prime Time Texas" news magazine program and a Bronze Quill for her work in business communication.

Kofler earned a Bachelor's degree in communications-print media from the University of Illinois. She went on to receive an International Rotary Scholarship and Associated Press Internship, which she completed in Bonn, West Germany.

KERA, a major public broadcasting producer and a leading community-based radio and television institution, contributes to the national PBS and National Public Radio schedules by producing programs that showcase Texas to the nation. KERA's television and radio productions have been lauded for excellence by top industry awards.

Source: KERA

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