Launch Production Inc., one of the two teams chosen by CPB to undertake searches for hosting talent in the Public Radio Talent Quest, announced its three finalists Sept. 26, 2007, during the Public Radio Program Directors Conference. These finalists, along with three chosen in PRX's online competition, will have CPB funding to make pilots of the show they'd like to host for public radio. Launch's press release follows.
St. Paul, MN, September 26, 2007 After months of scouting to find the next great voices of public radio, Launch Production Inc. announced its finalists for the Public Radio Talent Quest, sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The Launch team chose three extraordinary talents in the fields of entertainment, environmental and community activism, and cooking and writing.
Launch is veteran producer Mary Beth Kirchner in Los Angeles, Julie Burstein in New York and Marge Ostroushko in Minneapolis. The Launch team has participated in the creation of many of the public radio system¹s favorite programs including A Prairie Home Companion and This American Life, and launched Studio 360, American Routes, and Speaking of Faith, to name a few. Launch is a company devoted to finding and developing new talent and media projects.
Launch's approach to the Talent Quest was to conduct a strategic nationwide search for talented people who also have a gift for radio. They compiled a list of more than 60 potential host candidates, including award-winning writers, actors, journalists, musicians and conductors — all nationally renowned.
Web page posted Sept. 28, 2007
Copyright 2007 by Current Publishing Committee