FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Cathy Williams, KCET
323-953-5243; cwilliams@kcet.org
KCET NAMES ZACH BEHRENS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Los Angeles – November 4, 2010 – KCET, the largest independent public television station in
the country as of January 1, 2011, has named Zach Behrens to the newly created position of
editor-in-chief for the station’s new blogging operation, it was announced today by Mary Mazur,
KCET Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer. In his new role, Behrens will report
directly to Mazur and be responsible for creating community-based content and building online
engagement for a new initiative that includes launching new KCET blogs, which he will begin
developing when he joins the organization on November 10.
“KCET is expanding its online team as part of a strategic effort to direct additional resources to
social media initiatives that will better serve our communities,” said Mazur. “Zach’s impressive
background in building community engagement and developing compelling content for local
audiences makes him a perfect match for KCET as we set out to redefine public media in the 21st
century.”
In his most recent position as editor-in-chief of LAist/Gothamist, LLC., Behrens oversaw
operations and increased readership while serving as lead writer for LAist.com, one of Los
Angeles’ most popular blogs. Prior to LAist, Behrens served as a communications and marketing
consultant to MTV, Nike and the City of Santa Clarita as well as consulting on political
campaigns.
“This is an exciting opportunity to participate in shaping the future of public media,” Behrens
said of accepting his position at KCET. “I look forward to the challenge of creating a vibrant
community destination inspired by the mission of public service.”
Behrens joins the KCET New Media Team, which also includes Gary Dauphin, KCET Site
Editor and Manager, reporting directly to Mazur; Juan Devis, Director of Production, reporting
directly to Mazur; and Diego Nuñez, Senior Producer, reporting to Devis.
About KCET
On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational
enrichment of Southern and Central California. Each month 3.6 million viewers watch KCET,
which is the second most-watched public television station in the country and has the largest
geographic reach of any public television station in California. KCET, which becomes the largest
independent public television station in the country effective January 1, 2011, produces the
Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning SoCal Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly
television news program that examines the issues and people of Southern California. Throughout
its more than 40-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional
news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its
quality educational family and children’s programs, its outreach and community services and its
website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. More than half of the funds
raised to support KCET’s operating budget come from individual support. For additional
information about KCET productions, Web-exclusive content, programming schedules and
community events, please visit kcet.org.
###