Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews said that she was exiting CBS News, having served as president of the division for less than a year.
She wrote in a memo to employees that she planned to transition to a new role at the end of the month as senior editorial adviser through the election.
“We all know our industry and company are going through a transformation and a number of short- and long-term decisions need to be made,” she wrote. “I do not want to be disingenuous with any of you about who should drive those decisions. I’ve always leaned into my integrity and my values and I felt it was important to be transparent at this juncture about my plans.”
It was just last August that Ciprian-Matthews was named president of CBS News as part of a restructuring of the news division leadership. Wendy McMahon took on sole oversight of news, syndication and stations, after sharing duties with Neeraj Khemlani as president and co-head of the division.
Ciprian-Matthews’ exit is just the latest tumult in network newsroom leadership, as the business navigates changes in consumer habits and the decline in audiences for linear offerings. In May, Kim Godwin resigned as president of ABC News, after a sometimes tumultuous, three-year tenure. Months earlier, Disney installed a new executive above her, Debra OConnell who, like McMahon, oversees the network’s news and stations.
Ciprian-Matthews had been with the network for more than 30 years, including roles as Washington bureau chief, executive vice president for CBS News and executive vice president of strategic professional development.
The departure plans of Ciprian-Matthews come after the announcement that CBS parent Paramount Global would be merging with Skydance, as part of a deal that will see the new leadership overseeing $2 billion in cost savings after the deal is completed, expected some time next year. But the current Paramount Global leadership — the troika of George Cheeks, Brian Robbins and Chris McCarthy — have already outlined about $500 million in cost savings.
No successor to Ciprian-Matthews has been named. McMahon wrote in a memo that there would be “more updates soon.”
“Her career is defined by the unwavering commitment she has for our teams and our viewers…her passion and precision for every story…and the empathy and kindness she shows everyone in the field and throughout our newsrooms,” McMahon wrote. “We’re fortunate we can continue to rely on her experience and dedication.”
Ciprian-Matthews’ memo is below:
Hello everyone,
No journalist wants to ‘be’ the news, especially me. But today, I have some news of my own to share. After much consideration, I’ve decided this is the right time to step away from my current role at CBS News and begin to write my next chapter. George and Wendy understand how difficult a decision this has been. They have supported me through this process and for that I am very grateful. At the end of the month, I’ll be transitioning to a new role. I have gladly agreed to stay on through the election as a senior editorial adviser to CBS News, given the historical significance of this election and the current political moment.
Some may be asking why I’m announcing this now. We all know our industry and company are going through a transformation and a number of short- and long-term decisions need to be made. I do not want to be disingenuous with any of you about who should drive these decisions. I’ve always leaned into my integrity and my values and I felt it was important to be transparent at this juncture about my plans.
We all know how demanding our jobs are, but rest assured the work we do matters. Your conviction, your enthusiasm and your love of journalism distinguishes CBS News and fills me with pride. Nothing happens here without each of you, and the dedication and passion of our teams is evident at every level – in every bureau and newsroom. Your commitment to factual reporting with context during challenging times, in our world and our country, is what inspires and encourages me about the future of journalism at CBS News.
Over the past four decades, from NPR and CNN to more than 30 years at CBS, I’ve been able to see much of the world, cover most of the major news events of our lifetimes, and, most of all, work with all of you, in the field, in bureaus, on shows, and from the front office. I am so thankful for each and every one of you and am filled with gratitude for what we have accomplished.
You are the best in the industry, and it shows on every platform and in every story. I am forever honored to call CBS my News home….so now back to the News!
With all my respect,
Ingrid
McMahon’s memo is below:
Hi everyone,
Over the past months, Ingrid and I have been talking about this moment we find ourselves in – one of relentless transformation across our industry, and a moment in which we are covering one of the most important stories of our lifetimes. It is a time of immense change professionally and personally. Those conversations led Ingrid to the decision she shared with all of you today, and I am pleased that she has agreed to stay on in a new position as senior editorial adviser guiding our political coverage through the election. This newly created role leverages Ingrid’s expertise, particularly as a former Washington bureau chief. She will work directly with our D.C. bureau and political team to contribute significantly and help lead our coverage.
Ingrid’s illustrious and impactful CBS News career has placed her at the heart of every significant story of the past 30 years, and we are fortunate to have her laser-focused on this one. While she has accomplished a great deal journalistically in key roles across CBS News, Ingrid’s real superpower lies in the care and compassion she demonstrates for our people and our work. Her career is defined by the unwavering commitment she has for our teams and our viewers…her passion and precision for every story…and the empathy and kindness she shows everyone in the field and throughout our newsrooms. We’re fortunate we can continue to rely on her experience and dedication.
Ingrid will transition into this new role over the next few weeks, and we will share more updates soon. For now, please join me in expressing our gratitude to Ingrid. She will be inducted into the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Hall of Fame this week, a well-deserved honor, and we look forward to celebrating her at NAHJ and continuing to work closely with her in this new role.
Wendy
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