From NPR Press Release:

“Nik has an impressive track record of leadership in both engineering and media with executive leadership roles,” said NPR President and CEO John Lansing. “As VP Engineering, Nik will help us anticipate and serve the changing needs of a new generation of audio listeners and news consumers, and play a leading role in creating and executing a technical strategy to grow the business. Importantly, Nik has experience overseeing strategic digital work with content partners. .”

“For my family and me, NPR has been a part of our daily lives for years. The wide range of thoughtful content opens up our minds in so many ways! I am excited at the opportunity to help innovate and grow NPR’s technology platforms and consumer applications to provide the best possible experience for listeners and readers,” added Khilnani. “It is an honor to work with such a talented group of colleagues toward the growth and success of NPR and its Member stations.”

Prior to joining NPR, Nik Khilnani served as VP of Engineering at Lurn Inc, Senior Director of Platform Engineering at the Walt Disney Company, and Senior Director, Platform Development, Digital Products Technology at National Geographic. He earned his bachelor’s in computer science from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his MBA in Marketing and Product Development from the University of Maryland – Robert H. Smith School of Business.

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“Michael is a strategic thinker and an extremely creative media executive who has spent his career finding new ways people consume content across an increasingly diverse audience population,” said Lansing. “He is joining NPR at a time when we must extend the reach of our content beyond our traditional audiences to fully serve the American public and he is uniquely qualified to help us do so.”

“It’s essential to NPR’s future that its content and audience reflect America’s full diversity. As a Jamaican immigrant and avid NPR station and podcast listener, I’ve been personally engaged by the new and diverse voices in NPR’s content,” said Smith. “But NPR’s overall audience is still not very diverse. I believe the content has broad appeal to the next generation of audiences, we just need to get our story out to more people. I’m so excited to join a team of talented marketing and communications pros committed to this effort.”

This quote echos a response he made back in 2016 – after being named to the CableFAX Most Influential Minorities in Cable list, and was asked why diversity and inclusion are included in our company’s Core Values. “The key to successful TV is programming that resonates emotionally with the people watching it. If you want to create that kind of content, you need to be sure that you have people from all walks of life making it…” he explains. “That’s why we strive to hire diverse employees, work with diverse on-air talent and partner with diverse suppliers.”

Panel Smith Hosted in 2017

Bio
Michael Smith is the former SVP GM of Digital Video Channels for Scripps Networks Interactive. He’s spent his 30 year career at the intersection of media, technology, and culture, applying creative and strategic acumen to launching, building, and repositioning brands including Disney Channel, Food Network, Cooking Channel, and Genius Kitchen. In his role at Scripps the was focused on creating new video content and brands that leverage the disruptive new ways people consume content and the increasing diversity of today’s audiences. He has a B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford, and a MBA from Berkeley.

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