Martin Miller Oversaw Growth of 88.5FM WFCR and Creation of NEPM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Springfield, May 12, 2021) After a career spanning more than three decades in public broadcasting, Martin Miller is stepping down from his position as President of New England Public Media (NEPM). He will continue in his role until a successor is named, and then will move into a senior counsel role focused on new fundraising efforts for NEPM’s music endowment, journalism and engagement priorities.
Miller led WFCR radio for over two decades, expanding it into the 13-station New England Public Radio network and relocating its main broadcast facility from the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus to state-of-the-art studios in Springfield. The Five College Studios, rebuilt in 2016, remain at UMass in Hampshire House. In 2019 Miller became President of NEPM after helping to orchestrate an alliance with public television station WGBY to create New England Public Media, thus expanding journalism, community engagement, cultural, and educational programs through multi-platform services. The successful merger of NEPR with WGBY brought together the resources of public radio and TV, creating a robust public media organization positioned to continue its public service mission well into the future.
“Martin leaves an outstanding legacy of service to public media in western New England,” said NEPM Board Chair Robert Feldman. “From his dedicated leadership at WFCR to his vision for uniting with WGBY TV, he has led with principle, insight and wisdom, building and strengthening public media on behalf of audiences and communities across our region.”
Miller began his public media career in 1979 at WNYC Radio in New York and continued it at WGBH Radio in Boston beginning in 1985. He served in a variety of capacities completing his career there as Program Director. During his tenure, he was instrumental in helping launch The World, the first international news program for an American audience. He also produced award-winning programming including "Oy Chanukah! with the Klezmer Conservatory Band." In 1995 he joined WFCR in Amherst as General Manager. During his nearly 26 years leading WFCR, NEPR, and now NEPM, he helped raise over $11 million for capital improvements and new programming; developed NEPR's Media Lab; was responsible for significant revenue and audience growth for radio; increased investments in journalism; developed a diverse Board of Directors and created a new Community Advisory Board for NEPM; and most recently oversaw the launch of NEPM’s new local radio program And Another Thing.
"UMass Amherst, the Five College Consortium, and NEPM have provided me with the wonderful opportunity to be part of a talented group of people involved in the important work of education, civic leadership, and joyful engagement for the residents of western New England,” said Miller. “I am very fortunate that my career has allowed me to focus in areas I cherish: journalism, education, and music, and it has afforded me the honor and privilege to work with wonderful colleagues, volunteers, members of our community, and supporters for almost four decades. Together, for our region, we have built a public media organization that will continue to serve our communities for many years to come.”
A national search will begin soon for Miller’s replacement.
ABOUT NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA
New England Public Media is a community-supported, independent non-profit organization based in Springfield, MA. Through a deep commitment to independent local journalism, trusted educational content, inspired cultural offerings, and civic engagement, NEPM endeavors to share new voices and inspire new conversations. It provides audiences with a broad array of local and national programs across all media—TV, radio, online, and mobile, including PBS and NPR programs as well as locally produced series, podcasts and specials. Its four digital TV channels, and two radio networks present news, jazz and classical music, documentaries, talk, drama, plus cultural and educational programming.
NEPM brings quality public television programs to audiences across western New England, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs, to hear diverse viewpoints, and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS KIDS helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. NEPM's locally produced television programming includes the magazine-format public affairs show Connecting Point, the bilingual series Presencia, and the academic quiz show As Schools Match Wits. NEPM is available over the air on digital channel 57-1 and on cable throughout western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut and can be seen in high definition in western Massachusetts at Comcast 857, Time Warner 1221, Spectrum 782, and over the air on channel 57.
New England Public Media's radio presence provides an essential and trusted voice for the region through local reporting and locally-produced music programming, and by connecting the region to the world through its partnership with NPR and other national and international public media organizations. Its flagship signal, 88.5FM WFCR, and 5 repeating stations in Berkshire County, presents news, jazz, and classical music, while the six stations of the NEPM News Network provide the region with news, talk, and cultural programming 24/7.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Vanessa Cerillo
Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and Events
New England Public Media
413-735-6605
vanessa_cerillo@nepm.org