A season of celebration
Jun 27, 2023
Last month marked my three-year anniversary with MPR, and I could not be more pleased to be part of this great organization. Every day here is a reason to celebrate.
For all of us in media, this time of year is also a season for celebration because regional and national awards are being announced. What a remarkable season it has been for all of us — APMG, MPR News, Classical, the Current, and Marketplace. Our hosts, producers, reporters and the whole team working here have been recognized for the range, depth, and excellence of their work. It is because of such dedicated teamwork and depth of talent that we deliver our best content to you, our members and listeners. And it is because of your support that we are able grow this exceptional talent.
I believe that such dedication and hard work must be honored by recognition and celebration. This team works hard, often in challenging situations. Challenges are part of life. They will find us. That’s why we know it is important to be intentional about noting the high points and the good work we’re doing. It is fuel to keep going. To celebrate is to let the intensity of work become the joy of work. So, let’s raise a toast to all the nominees and winners.
Breadth of excellence
In the first six months of 2023 our reporters, hosts, and programs have been nominated for and/or won more than 30 awards. When I look over the long list of nominations and awards, I am amazed by the number of areas in which we are recognized. So many types of storytelling stand out. Many organizations are good at a few things, but it is far less common to be good at so many things. This list of awards shows the breadth of our work and the depth of talent working across disciplines. I wanted to feature a few key highlights here.
Classic recognition
I am impressed with the seven first place winners out of twelve nominations for the Sevareid Awards (named after Eric Sevareid, one of the all-time greats of broadcast news best known for his reporting during WWII). First place winners were recognized for coverage of weather (snowstorm), sports (soccer), elections (something we consider essential work for you), a historic music story, plus our investigative agility and spot news coverage related to the police killing of Amir Locke. It says a lot about the depth of talented people here that we’ve been recognized across so many issues, topics, and coverage areas.
In the coveted regional Edward R. Murrow awards, MPR News won in three categories: continuing coverage (Rainy Lake Flooding, Dan Kraker Reporting), hard news (coverage of body camera footage of the killing of Amir Locke) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (North Star Journey project).
The Current has been nominated again for non-commercial station of the year in the JBE Triple A SummitFest Awards. The Current has won this award 13 times including in 2021. In an article in Billboard Magazine earlier this year, The Current was mentioned as one of four stations “bucking the trend” by playing new music and getting higher listener ratings.
Depth of connection
We are also proud to offer you, our listeners, deep storytelling that illuminates important issues that just might help change people’s minds to act in new, powerful, and constructive ways. Emily Hanford’s work uncovering the myths and facts about teaching reading is one example. In addition to other significant nominations and awards for her series/podcast Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong, Emily has been recognized by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. President George W. Bush made improving reading instruction one of his top priorities. He got Congress to provide money to schools that used reading programs supported by scientific research but much like the story Emily tells in the series, other methods often won out over the well-researched and successful ones. Minnesota law makers have now acted on the story’s findings and voted into law the Read Act to use approved literacy curriculum in schools. The podcast is funded by APM Reports through foundations and other sources.
A Million Bazillion reasons
The Marketplace team highlights its mission and shows off its creativity through a podcast that promotes financial literacy for young people and families. Million Bazillion won a Webby Award for its podcast hosted by Bridget Bodnar and Ryan Perez. They offer entertaining and understanding bits of financial information to spread good financial habits and success. You can support Marketplace’s work here.
Depth of talent because of depth of support
As Kyndell Harkness, Assistant Managing Editor of Diversity and Community at the Star Tribune, explains so clearly here, I want success for my teams, and I’m passionate about helping my teams win.
As we close our fiscal year this month, I want to say a special thank you to everyone who has made a contribution to MPR| APMG this year. Because of the reliable, generous, and sustaining support you give to our team, we can deliver exceptional content to you every day of the year. Your support makes it possible for us to recruit and retain the talent that makes MPR strong and distinctive. These awards say it best, and we simply could not do it without you. Thank you!
Duchesne Drew
President, Minnesota Public Radio
About Duchesne Drew
Duchesne Drew is Senior Vice President of American Public Media Group and President of Minnesota Public Radio. In this role, he leads the teams that produce MPR News, The Current, APM Reports and Marketplace. Additionally, he oversees YourClassical MPR as a part of Minnesota Public Radio.