Kevin Sullivan named executive producer of ‘Reveal’

Media contact: Christa Scharfenberg, cscharfenberg@cironline.org

Sullivan comes from NPR and WBUR Boston’s ‘Here & Now’

EMERYVILLE, Calif. – The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX are pleased to announce that Kevin Sullivan will be the executive producer of “Reveal,” the new Peabody Award-winning, one-hour public radio program and podcast hosted by Al Letson. “Reveal” will launch monthly in January 2015 and weekly in July 2015.

Sullivan comes to CIR from WBUR in Boston, where he is senior managing editor of NPR’s daily midday news program “Here & Now.” Sullivan oversees the show’s editorial content, handles daily and long-term planning, manages WBUR’s partnership with NPR and coordinates the show’s digital content. He was instrumental in implementing the expansion of the show in 2013 as it entered into a unique partnership between NPR and WBUR. Since that time, “Here & Now” has increased its carriage from 180 to 380 stations and its weekly audience from about 1 million to 3.8 million listeners.

“ ‘Reveal’ represents a new direction for investigative journalism that connects with diverse communities through public media, digital platforms and direct engagement,” said Joaquin Alvarado, CIR’s chief executive officer. “CIR is incredibly excited to welcome Kevin to the team as executive producer to help lead our efforts. His experience and vision will be critical to delivering a great show while also building journalistic capacity with our network of station partners.”

CIR and PRX produced three pilot episodes of Reveal in 2013 and 2014, which aired on more than 200 public radio stations and featured original investigations by CIR, the Center for Public Integrity, WBEZ Chicago, KWMU in St. Louis, The Hollywood Reporter and others.

John Barth, chief content officer for PRX, noted: “Kevin’s experience in the high-pressure national production of ‘Here & Now,’ combined with his collaborative, station-focused skills, means he has the right mix to lead ‘Reveal’ into weekly production.”

During his 20-year career, Sullivan has worked as a television news reporter and producer, a public television documentary producer, a web/social media editor and a public radio producer and manager. In the days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he launched an investigative unit for CBS in Baltimore, where he spearheaded investigations on bioterrorism and the U.S. government’s ability to respond to future threats. He also dug into local issues. His exposé of local judges found widespread lax sentencing of repeat-offender drunken drivers. Other investigations included sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests and doctors and pharmacists who sold OxyContin for cash.

Sullivan worked as a documentary film producer prior to joining WBUR. His work took him around the world, with stories ranging from reconciliation in Northern Ireland to the refugee crisis during the war in Kosovo. Sullivan has a keen interest in the business world and earned an MBA from Boston University, where he earlier completed a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

“With Kevin’s leadership and expertise, CIR is poised to make ‘Reveal’ the premier national platform for investigative reporting, with compelling storytelling and huge impact. We’re happy he’s aboard,” said CIR Editorial Director Robert Salladay. Sullivan will report directly to Salladay on editorial work.

Sullivan will join CIR in January 2015 and lead the 15-person “Reveal” team to take investigative reporting by CIR and its media partners to a wide audience through strong storytelling and deep public engagement. He will be the architect of the program’s launch, the move to weekly production and the development of the “Reveal” podcast and accompanying digital assets.

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ABOUT CIR

The Center for Investigative Reporting is the nation’s first independent, multiplatform investigative reporting organization. Devoted to holding powerful interests accountable to the public trust, CIR creatively employs cutting-edge technology and innovative storytelling to reveal injustice, spark change at all levels of society and influence public dialogue on critical issues. CIR produces high-impact reporting across print, video, TV, radio and online platforms and is the recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, winner of a 2013 Emmy Award and a 2013 George Foster Peabody Award, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2012 (for local reporting) and 2013 (for public service).

ABOUT PRX

PRX is an award-winning nonprofit public media company harnessing innovative technology to bring compelling stories to millions. PRX.org operates public radio’s largest distribution marketplace, offering thousands of audio stories for broadcast and digital use, including “This American Life,” “The Moth Radio Hour,” “Sound Opinions,” “State of the Re:Union,” “Snap Judgment,” “WTF with Marc Maron” and the new investigative series “Reveal.” PRX Remix is PRX’s 24/7 channel featuring the best independent radio stories and new voices. PRX is also the leading mobile app developer for public media, with apps such as Public Radio Player, Radiolab, This American Life, WBUR, KCRW Music Mine and more.