The Public’s Radio is currently in the process of reimagining our brand in a way that better reflects the recent merger with Rhode Island PBS. Our mission is to serve the listeners of Rhode Island and the south coast of Massachusetts. That’s not changing. But our name will be different, and we’d like you to help create the new identity. Morning host Luis Hernandez spoke about this process with Pam Johnston, our president and CEO.
Share your feedback here to help inform the future vision of public media in our region.
Transcript:
This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Luis Hernandez: The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS merged back in May of last year. You’ve been leading the organization for about eight months now. What have you learned during that time?
Pam Johnston: I’ve learned we have a lot of talent here. Not only in media but across this whole area. I learned we have great stories to tell and an appetite for going deep and going long and really, kind of, investigating stories in ways that matter a lot to folks who live here.
Hernandez: The Public’s Radio has gone through multiple name changes over the years. Longtime listeners and members might be wondering why we’re gonna change our name yet again. What would you say to them?
Johnston: I’d say this is a lot bigger than a name change. I’d say that this is about building a whole new media experience here in our area, and we want to have a name that represents where we’re going, what we can be, and feels really, kind of, centered in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We’re figuring that out. What I think is super cool about that – and what you’ll see from us on the radio side, on the television side and from this new organization, yet to be named – is we want to know what you think. We are listening to you. You are important. We are centering our audience and our community in everything we do.
So we have a survey on our website where we’re asking, not only what should we be called, but what is it that you want from a local media organization here in Rhode Island? What is important to you? What do we do that you love? What is it that you hope we would do? We want to hear from you. We want to reflect you, and we want to be a new, modern, brave, bold media organization here in Rhode Island.
Hernandez: Why is the name important?
Johnston: I think the name is important because it allows somebody to feel a connection and a part of [it]. People have really strong opinions about names, don’t they? So if they like it or they don’t like it, most important is that they understand what it is and that they perhaps see themselves in it.
Hernandez: During the holiday season – you just touched on this a moment ago – you had asked the audience to offer their thoughts about this with the online survey. What have been the takeaways so far, though?
Johnston: We’ve gotten great feedback and I think that people are very excited to figure out what we will become. There’s a big appetite here in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts to tell stories in a different way. Meet people where they are. Use all of our powerful platforms here and shake things up, make a difference, be bold, and that’s what we’re up to and that’s what we heard from our audience.
Hernandez: A lot of times when the company goes through or a group grows through that name change, it’s the marketing people and it’s all these ideas floating around, but you’re taking this approach. You’re going to the audience to get them engaged. Why? Why do that?
Johnston: Because what we’re building here is a community and audience-centered media organization. It really is what public media is all about. The promise and power of public media is centering community, centering audience, centering ideas, and we wanna do that.
Hernandez: All right, so what can listeners do if they wanna provide that feedback if they haven’t done it yet?
Johnston: It’s really easy. You can go to either one of our websites. You can go to thepublicsradio.org or ripbs.org.
Hernandez: All right. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Johnston: Yes. Thank you for asking. Come see us on March 28 at our annual event called Uncorking the Future. It is a fun event. It is wine, food, music, and special guests. But most important, that event is the biggest fundraiser we have every year, and it is critical to creating this important programming, this local journalism that you love and that you listen to. That’s how we make it happen, at Uncorked. Please visit us.
Hernandez: From all your experience so far in this job, what else do you want to add about what it’s been like for you?
Johnston: These are hard times. Media has never really mattered more than it does right now. What I have learned and what I’ve seen and what I’ve experienced are a lot of talented journalists who are ready to meet this moment, tell important stories here locally, build trust, be stronger together, and really make a difference.
Hernandez: I’ve been speaking with Pam Johnston, president and CEO of the Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS. Pam, always a lot of fun. Thank you. Appreciate it.
Johnston: Thank you for having me.
You can learn more here about Uncorking the Future, a culinary and wine experience benefiting and celebrating the merger of Rhode Island PBS & The Public’s Radio. The event takes place Friday, March 28 at the Waterfire Arts Center, and will feature wine tastings, an oyster bar, food by celebrity chef Mary Ann Esposito, live music, an art exhibition showcasing artists who have been featured on our arts programs, Artscape and Art Inc., and more.
