PITTSBURGH — “Jason Jedlinski, a veteran broadcasting and publishing executive, will become WQED’s next President and CEO,” today announced Dr. Millie Myers and Jonathan Rosenson, Co-Chairs of the organization’s Board of Directors. Through an extensive nationwide search, the organization sought an innovative leader with consensus-building skills and a commitment to broadening and strengthening WQED’s impact across all of the communities it serves. Jedlinski emerged as the ideal candidate to meet these requirements and lead WQED into the future.
“WQED’s staff and Community Advisory Board participated in the process of describing the ideal candidate’s qualifications,” said Myers, who chaired the Search Committee. “We sought input from all of our constituencies. That speaks to WQED’s culture, where everyone has a voice and collaboration is one of our finest strengths.”
WQED’s appointment of Jedlinski showcases its firm commitment to embracing and navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by tectonic changes in media consumption. “WQED has never been a follower,” said Myers, “so hiring Jason sends a clear signal of our determination to excel in the digital realm and create new ways to educate, entertain and inspire our neighbors and friends.”
Jonathan Rosenson, added, “Jason is the right leader at the right time, as he brings strategic leadership with a great appreciation for public media. He clearly respects our brand and rich tradition, and he sees the opportunity for expanded digital offerings that will shape our present and future.”
Jedlinski arrives in Pittsburgh from Washington D.C., where he recently served as General Manager of The Hill, launching a new streaming channel and setting audience records. He has spent nearly 25 years growing digital reach and engagement for major media brands, including
The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and WGN Television in Chicago. He is a past board member of the Local Media Association and past president of the largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Among his career accomplishments, Jedlinski has designed and led groundbreaking digital transformation initiatives, secured multimillion-dollar sponsorships, and successfully launched new products that attracted several hundred thousand subscribers. He’s known as an architect and builder of teams: a leader passionate about employee engagement, retention, and talent development.
On taking the helm of the nation’s first community-supported television station, Jedlinski said, “I’m thrilled for this opportunity to sustain and grow WQED’s commitment to its communities and grateful for [former President and CEO] Deb Acklin’s rich legacy. I look forward to expanding WQED’s reach beyond its acclaimed television and radio broadcasts: creating new ways to amplify diverse voices, showcase community leaders, and positively impact the lives of more people throughout Southwest Pennsylvania.”
Myers added that Jedlinski wants to immerse himself in the Pittsburgh community, and all that that involves. “In addition to introducing him to Primanti sandwiches and the Pittsburgh left turn,” Myers quipped, “we will make sure that he quickly meets our partners in arts and culture and throughout all of Pittsburgh’s diverse neighborhoods.”
Jason Jedlinski will assume the role of WQED Multimedia’s fifth President and CEO in July.
About WQED
WQED was an experiment in educational community-supported television that was the forerunner to PBS. Today, WQED is a multimedia powerhouse that is as much a part of Pittsburgh as the three rivers. WQED is WQED-TV (PBS); WQED World; WQED Create; WQED Showcase; WQED PBS KIDS Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel at WQED-HD2 (89.3-2FM) and online; streaming and apps, and WQED Interactive.
WQED is a premier leader in broadcast and digital video production, producing socially relevant, historical, arts, entertainment and educational programming resources. WQED’s Learning Neighborhood model creates an education continuum dedicated to serving our youngest neighbors through Ready To Learn programming, while engaging high school students learning filmmaking and exploring employment opportunities through the WQED Film Academy.