Kansas City PBS has announced that Kalie Hudson has been named Chief Content Officer, effective January 12. In this new senior leadership position, Hudson will lead the Kansas City public media organization’s content strategy and editorial direction. By leveraging relationships with community partners, Kansas City PBS’ journalistic team and local filmmakers, she will lead the evolution of the station’s news, entertainment and educational programming, bringing the station’s trusted, balanced and essential content to air and online in new and innovative ways. Hudson joined Kansas City PBS in December 2019 as the Director of Marketing & Engagement.
“I couldn’t be more excited to have Kalie step into this new and essential role,” Kliff Kuehl, President and CEO of Kansas City PBS, said. “As our organization evolves and local journalism becomes even more important, we recognize the need for a ‘connector.’ Through maintaining and developing new relationships with local journalists and arts organizations, she’ll bring a contemporary strategy and original perspective to the stories we tell — and who tells those stories. We’re excited to have her in a position to empower our many talented team members and content creators to be more effective in serving Kansas City.”
Since joining the station as Director of Marketing & Engagement, Hudson has proven to be an innovator and well-respected leader. Under her direction, the station’s marketing and communications team has created and implemented many highly successful and efficient processes and systems. These include new approaches to streaming and broadcast promotions, managing best-in-class dynamic marketing campaigns, and connecting the importance of national stories at the local level through comprehensive messaging and inventive community engagement.
"Under Kliff's leadership, Kansas City PBS has become an even greater asset to the community, adding services and meeting audiences where they are,” Hudson said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work in an expanded role within the station and look forward to this next challenge in my career."
As Chief Content Officer, Hudson will report directly to Kuehl as she works to build and manage relationships with freelance video producers and talent. She will also oversee all digital and video productions and their associated budgets. Alongside other members of the senior leadership team, Hudson will ensure that all projects are funded, marketed and supported by digital and social resources. Finally, she will be responsible for developing Kansas City PBS’ overall content strategy and managing the editorial team and calendar.
“Kalie will bring an equally thoughtful and passionate perspective to the ways we bring programming and reporting to our audiences,” Kuehl said. “In all that she’s accomplished at Kansas City PBS in two years, I have the utmost confidence in her ability to help us fully deliver on the promise of being a public media organization for all.”
Hudson earned a BFA from the University of Central Missouri in English with a minor in art. She went on to receive a Master’s in Business through UMKC’s Bloch School of Management. Before joining Kansas City PBS, she held marketing roles with Union Station and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art before serving as the Director of Visitor Experience & Marketing at Powell Gardens.