Scannell Named Pres./CEO of SCPR

• Veteran media executive Herb Scannell, who successfully led Nickelodeon, Next New Networks, BBC Worldwide North America and Mitú, among other businesses, has been selected by the Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) Board of Trustees to be its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Scannell (left) will join SCPR in February and succeeds founding President & CEO Bill Davis, who announced his retirement last June but will stay on as President Emeritus. SCPR operates Los Angeles’ award-winning local journalism leader KPCC/Pasadena and is the publisher of the newly re-launched innovative digital L.A.-centric news destination LAist.

Scannell notably served as President of Viacom’s Nickelodeon and TV Land, and later, Vice Chairman of MTV Networks. Under his leadership Nickelodeon launched such iconic properties as Dora, the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and Rugrats.After leaving Nickelodeon in 2006, Scannell served as Founding CEO of Next New Networks, which was acquired by YouTube in 2011. Scannell subsequently joined BBC Worldwide as President, North America, and in 2017 he moved to Los Angeles at CEO of the Latino-targeted digital media company Mitú.

“I began my career in radio, and I couldn’t think of a better time, place or city to return to this medium I love,” said Scannell, who worked at WHN/New York in 1980. He has also been on the board of New York Public Radio (NYPR) since 2000 and served as its Chairman of the Board from 2009-2013. “We’re experiencing an audio renaissance,” he said. “Podcasts are blossoming and local public radio is filling a journalistic void left by the diminishing number of local newspapers. At the same time technology is changing the game with the emergence of smart speakers and — very soon — smart cars. California and Los Angeles are the hub of both culture and innovation, and what happens here matters everywhere. I want to congratulate Bill Davis for what he has accomplished, and I thank the SCPR Board for giving me the opportunity to build upon his legacy.”

Davis said. “I am profoundly honored to pass the baton to Herb Scannell. I’ve had an amazing run during the past 18 years, and I’m confident that Herb will lead SCPR to new heights. I look forward toward supporting Herb and everyone at SCPR through this transition as we move forward and realize our potential as a diversified media company.”