Three Prominent New Jerseyans Join Public Media NJ Board as the Foundation for New Jersey Public Broadcasting Supports PMNJ

Parties sign Memorandum of Understanding; Will Share Board Members

NEW YORK, July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public Media NJ (PMNJ), the newly-formed nonprofit company that manages NJTV, and The Foundation for New Jersey Public Broadcasting, which raised more than one hundred million dollars for NJTV's predecessor over the past two decades, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together for the good of the citizens of New Jersey.  The collaboration provides for Foundation support in three critical areas: fundraising, governance, and the creation of New Jersey centric programming.  Among the Foundation's first priorities will be raising funds to provide NJTV with a quality daily news program, NJ Today--which will replace the current Summer Edition this fall--and to create several new programs for the state-wide network.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110324/DC71112LOGO)

The three Foundation Board members elected to the PMNJ board on Friday are:

• Anthony Bastardi, Foundation Chairman and Chairman and CEO of Strategic Development Group
• Thomas Bracken, a Foundation Vice Chair and President and CEO of New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
• Dennis Bone, a member of the Foundation's Executive Committee and President of Verizon New Jersey

They will join Josh Weston, former Chairman of ADP; and Liz Thomas, former member of the Public Broadcasting Authority of New Jersey and principal at Thomas Boyd Communications.

"We're delighted at having these three outstanding New Jerseyans join our board and we're excited about having the support of the Foundation, which has for years supported public media in New Jersey," said Neal Shapiro, Chairman of PMNJ and President and CEO of WNET, PMNJ's affiliate.  Shapiro said that he and the Foundation were agreed that building the new daily news program, NJ Today, was the number one priority.  (NJTV is producing a summer edition while it builds the staff and finds its NJ based studios.)

"We've had great discussions with NJTV and it was clear we share the same commitment to building the next chapter in outstanding public media in New Jersey," Bastardi said.  "There's much to be done.  Our strategic alliance with PMNJ combines its board's expertise and relationships with the Foundation board's fundraising prowess, high-level management skills, and a blue ribbon roster of trustees comprising many of New Jersey's most notable corporate and philanthropic leaders.  This is a winning partnership that makes perfect sense."  Bastardi said that the Foundation will dedicate its efforts and human resources exclusively to raising funds for NJTV programs; to participating in the governance of PMNJ; and to creating new, high-quality programs for NJTV.

Public Media NJ, Inc. (PMNJ), an affiliate of WNET, parent company of award-winning public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21, began providing programming and services to NJTV on July 1 under an agreement with the State of New Jersey.

About The Foundation for New Jersey Public Broadcasting

The Foundation for New Jersey Public Broadcasting (FNJPB) raises funds to support specific "New Jersey centric" programs.  The corporation is organized and operated exclusively for educational, charitable, scientific and literacy programs within the meaning of Section 501 (C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

About WNET New York Public Media

WNET is America’s flagship public media outlet, bringing quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. The parent company of public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET produces such acclaimed  PBS series as Great Performances, American Masters, Nature, Need to Know, Charlie Rose, Tavis Smiley and a range of documentaries,  children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online.  Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Noah Comprende and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through SundayArts, Reel 13, NJ Today and the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus.

SOURCE WNET New York Public Media