NBC News D.C. chief Mark Whitaker headed to CNN

Joe Pompeo
·Media Reporter

Mark Whitaker is leaving his post as Washington bureau chief of NBC News for the newly created position of executive vice president and managing editor of CNN Worldwide.

In his new role, Whitaker "will be responsible for overseeing and integrating news and editorial content across all of CNN's domestic and international networks and digital platforms, and charting long-term editorial strategy for the organization," the network announced in a press release Friday.

"Our aim is to position a strong managing editor, working closely with the head of each CNN network and Web site, to generate reporting and analysis that consistently stands out, sparks conversation and captures the true meaning and relevance of the events in the news," said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide, in a statement.

Walton first announced that CNN Worldwide was looking to hire a managing editor during a conference call with reporters last September following the abrupt departure of CNN's U.S. chief, Jon Klein. At the time, Walton stressed that the network's struggling prime time lineup accounts for only 10 percent of CNN Worldwide's overall revenues.

"CNN as a business is thriving," he said. "We're currently on track to have our 7th consecutive year of profit growth and we're enjoying a time of profit in the news business when many folks around the world who do journalism are having some financial difficulties."

None the less, U.S. prime time is what has kept CNN in the headlines in recent months, and most of the media attention has focused on the personalities in front of the camera.

But Whitaker is a marquee hire for the network to be sure. He's a former editor-in-chief of Newsweek, and was editor-in-chief of the Washington Post Co.'s digital division before joining NBC News in 2007.

Whitaker will be replaced by Antoine Sanfuentes, his deputy in the Washington bureau, effective Feb. 7.

"Antoine's inclusive management style combined with his expert knowledge and experience make him the ideal leader to guide the Washington Bureau into the next phase," said NBC News president Steve Capus in a statement announcing the move.