Javier Escobedo joins Public Radio International(R) Board of Directors

Public Radio International (PRI) announces that Javier Escobedo has been unanimously elected to the PRI Board of Directors. A veteran in international and domestic marketing and advertising, Escobedo is managing partner of advertising agency OLE(R). The Board approved Escobedo as a new director at its June meeting, effective immediately.

The PRI Board of Directors boasts a diverse roster of leaders in business, philanthropy, technology, education and the arts, and is recognized throughout the nonprofit sector for its independence, breadth of experience and entrepreneurial vision. PRI President and CEO Alisa Miller says of Escobedo’s appointment, “Javier is a creative, forward-thinking entrepreneur, one who recognizes that our mission of helping listeners understand our interdependent world is vitally important. He will bring singular insights and perspectives to our vision, and I am very pleased to welcome him to the Board.”

Escobedo adds, “I am proud of having the opportunity to serve PRI and to help take its vision to a broader group of people. I’m looking forward to advising PRI’s superb management team in their efforts to cater to the broad multi-cultural audience that is so important in our interdependent world.”

Escobedo has spent the past two decades leading and developing some of the best known brands. Before founding OLE in 2003, he was vice president of Marketing at Univision Online, based in New York.

Prior to that, he led International Planning for Microsoft’s consumer products in Latin America and Spain. He started his career in Mexico as a brand assistant at Procter & Gamble and quickly rose through the ranks to manage the nutritional category. He holds a cum laude MBA from the University of Chicago.

OLE(R), based in New York City, is an independent, full-service, advertising agency focused on the U.S. Hispanic market. Under Escobedo’s leadership, OLE has risen to be ranked 15th in the top-20 Independent Hispanic Ad Agencies ranking by “Hispanic Business Magazine” and gained a spot in the top 40 of the “Advertising Age” Hispanic Agency ranking. By combining management, marketing and creative disciplines, the agency has brought unprecedented success to its client roster, which has grown to include blue-chip clients from a variety of industries including media, retailing, financial services, food, consumer products and non-profit organizations.

About Public Radio International(R)
Founded in 1983, Public Radio International has distinguished itself by producing, acquiring and distributing innovative content that enables U.S. audiences to “hear a different voice,” bringing new voices and global perspectives to the public airwaves. Through partnerships with BBC World Service and station-based and independent producers, the Minneapolis-based network provides over 400 hours of programming each week, content that is broadcast and streamed online by 827 PRI affiliates nationwide, whose radio broadcasts reach over 29 million listeners each week. PRI owns Public Interactive LLC, public broadcasting’s leading Web services company. PRI is also the managing partner of the satellite radio company American Public Radio LLC, established with Chicago Public Radio(R), WGBH Radio Boston and WNYC, New York Public Radio(R). PRI programming is available via XM Public Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio.

PRI is known for driving innovation in public radio through partnerships with stations, independent producers and other organizations, and for working collaboratively to pool resources, share risk and cultivate new talent. Its best known offerings include “The Tavis Smiley Show,” produced by Smiley Radio Properties Inc.; “This American Life,” produced by Chicago Public Radio(R); PRI’s “The World,” a co-production of BBC World Service, PRI, and WGBH Radio Boston; “Living on Earth,” produced by World Media Foundation Inc.; “Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know?(R),” produced by Wisconsin Public Radio; and PRI’s “Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen,” produced by PRI and WNYC, New York Public Radio(R); as well as 24-hour program services — “Classical 24(R),” produced by American Public Media(TM); and BBC World Service, produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation. For more information on PRI and its programs and services, visit www.pri.org. “*

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