Facebook tapped a television journalism veteran to head its news partnerships team: former NBC News and CNN anchor Campbell Brown.
Brown announced the move in a Facebook post (embedded below), saying her role will be less editorial and more focused on ?working directly with our partners to help them understand how Facebook can expand the reach of their journalism and contribute value to their businesses.?
Facebook executives shared similar points with Jim Rutenberg of The New York Times, saying Brown will not serve as an editor in chief of sorts and would not be involved in content decisions.
They told Rutenberg that Brown would focus on matching Facebook?s journalist partners with the social network?s features, including Facebook Live livestreaming videos, Instant Articles and News Feed. Chris Ariens of SocialTimes sister blog TVNewser reported that Brown will leave her editorial role with education-focused digital news organization The 74, but she will remain on its board.
Brown said in her Facebook post:
I have some exciting news to share. This month, I will be joining Facebook to lead its news partnerships team. This is a different role for me, but one where I will be tapping my newsroom experience to help news organizations and journalists work more closely and more effectively with Facebook. I will be working directly with our partners to help them understand how Facebook can expand the reach of their journalism and contribute value to their businesses. That also...