PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY VERMONT PBS & VPR
Building Together Vermont PBS and Vermont Public Radio join forces to form a new public media organization for Vermont
From their earliest days , both Vermont PBS and Vermont Public Radio ( VPR ) have worked tirelessly to provide Vermonters with quality programming that serves the needs of their communities . Through continued public outreach , they have developed deep and lasting connections with their audiences and created empowering media platforms that enable Vermont ’ s citizens to tell their stories and shed light on important local issues . After spending decades building their respective organizations into internationally-recognized and renowned public broadcasting institutions , Vermont PBS and VPR are merging together in July of 2021 to form a new public media organization to serve Vermont . United in the common pursuit of continued public broadcasting excellence , the new organization will seek to broaden its reach , ensure its continued sustainability , and provide even better content for Vermonters by connecting with them in new and exciting ways .
The new organization is currently incorporated as Vermont Public , and is working with stakeholders and community members to establish its permanent mission , vision , name , and brand identity .
According to Vermont PBS ’ Board of Directors Chair Marguerite Dibble , the merger came as the result of ongoing collaborative efforts between the two organizations . “ VPR and Vermont PBS have always looked for opportunities to collaborate . Over the years , we have had a number of really good partnerships . Our This Land series – which highlights rural voices – is a great example of that . As we started to further explore these partnerships , our respective boards undertook a rigorous research and development process . We worked with some external partners who specialized in consulting and advising public media companies on how they could make advantageous partnerships . We started looking into what it would mean and what it would look like if we were to merge . We looked into all the possible risks and benefits . We saw how it would allow us to improve our storytelling , our outreach , and our representation , while sustaining the services that we currently offer in a financially sound way . Our boards decided that it was a great idea to vote on a merger so that we could form an even stronger organization together .”
VPR ’ s Board of Directors Chair Nicole Ravlin says that the merger will enable VPR and Vermont PBS to grow together by pooling their resources . “ The upcoming merger will allow both organizations to collectively increase our ability to provide digital content and access to information . Our new unified board – as well as our teams – are very excited for what the future holds . Media is evolving faster than ever before . In order to achieve sustainable success on a local , regional , or national level , you have to look for new ways to deliver content to your audience . That ’ s what we ’ ll be doing as we move forward : developing strategies to provide even more fantastic content in the ways that Vermonters want to receive it . We aim to continue to provide this vital public service for decades to come , and we ’ ve just ensured that through this merger .”
Ravlin adds that the merger will also help VPR and Vermont PBS provide Vermonters with more in depth coverage of local news
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