Knight Foundation reorganizes to accelerate media innovation and adoption of digital journalism tools

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has expanded and reorganized its journalism and media innovation staff to accelerate media innovation and increase the adoption of digital tools by newsrooms.

John S. Bracken was promoted to vice president/media innovation, leading the team that will accelerate the pace of funding of media experimentation. Knight Foundation also promoted Chris Barr to director/media innovation. Barr manages the Knight Prototype Fund, which has become an important part of Knight strategy as it allows for the rapid testing and iteration of ideas. A second vice president, for journalism, will lead the team focused on the adoption of innovative digital tools and techniques in newspaper, TV, radio and Internet newsrooms. The new position will be filled in the next several weeks. Joining Knight Foundation as director/journalism is Shazna Nessa, a former Associated Press deputy managing editor and a recent John S. Knight journalism fellow at Stanford University. Marie Gilot was promoted to journalism program officer.