Minnesota Public Radio News Names Jon Gordon Its First Social Media/Mobile Editor

Feb 24, 2010

John Moe, formerly of "Weekend America," to host new programming on technology

(St. Paul, Minn.)--February 24, 2010--Minnesota Public Radio announced today that Jon Gordon will serve as its newsroom's first social media/mobile editor. Gordon is the creator and host of American Public Media's "Future Tense," a weekday radio program that has been a news leader reporting on emerging technologies and trends. Gordon will start in his new position in early May. John Moe, the former host of American Public Media's "Weekend America," will assume Gordon's role reporting on technology matters.

"The rise of social networking is one of the most significant developments I've covered," says Gordon. "For the news business, social networks and mobile devices have become critical platforms."

MPR News joins only a handful of news organizations that have created such a role.

"Audiences are fragmenting and re-forming their own networks to consume news," say Chris Worthington, managing director, MPR News. "We need to learn more about that dynamic to provide a better service."

Sensing 14 years ago that technology was about to create major changes in the way people live, work and play, Gordon launched "Future Tense." "Not only did Gordon have it right, he beat most other mass media to it. He's a perfect fit. I just hope he saved his crystal ball," says Worthington.

Gordon's MPR career dates to 1983 when he served as an intern at KRSW in Worthington. He also reported for MPR from Bemidji and St. Peter, MN before coming to St. Paul to work as a producer on MPR's broadcast of Morning Edition. He soon returned to reporting, covering suburban issues and politics. Gordon was part of a reporting team that won a Gerald Loeb Award in 2000--a prestigious prize in the field of business reporting--for "Minnesota in the .Com Age." He's also won awards from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Associated Press and the Northwest Broadcast News Association.

On May 3, Moe will launch a new technology report, building on and expanding the work of "Future Tense" for American Public Media. The service will include a daily radio segment, frequent podcasts and an active web and social media presence. Before his work on "Weekend America," Moe hosted "The Works," a popular technology and business show in Seattle.

"John Moe gets what matters about tech coverage," says Peter Clowney, executive producer of program development, APM. "He can connect people to what's coming and help them navigate what's already here. Plus he's one of the smartest, most natural radio hosts you could find."

JJ Yore, vice president of APM programming and executive producer of "Marketplace," will oversee the new project.