Edward O'Keefe | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1978-02-16)16 February 1978 (age 47) |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University |
| Occupation(s) | journalist, writer |
| Spouse | Allison Davis |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | https://www.edwardfokeefe.com/ |
Edward Fitzpatrick O'Keefe (born 16 February 1978) is anAmericanmedia executive and the currentChief Executive Officer of theTheodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation and a former media executive.[1] Prior to his current role, O'Keefe held several positions in the news industry, including atABC News,CNN, and as the founder of the media start-upNowThis.[2]O'Keefe's career in media began atABC News. Subsequently, he foundedNowThis, a media company focused on delivering news and information throughsocial media platforms. After two years atNowThis, O'Keefe transitioned toCNN, where he held leadership roles focused on strategy and growth for properties includingCNN Money,CNN Politics, and Travel.[3]
In 2019, O'Keefe was a fellow at theHarvard Kennedy School. During his fellowship, his research centered on the evolving landscape ofjournalism and the rise of streaming news. This work culminated in the publication of his paper "Streaming War Won".[4] His research interests also extended toTheodore Roosevelt. Following his fellowship, O'Keefe continued to consult for news organizations and pursue his research before his appointment asCEO of theTheodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation.[1]
Edward F. O'Keefe was born inGrand Forks, North Dakota on February 16, 1978, to William G. and Heather C. (Holmes) O'Keefe.[5]
He completed his secondary education atRed River High School, graduating in 1996.[5] He then attendedGeorgetown University, where he studied government, psychology, and English, graduatingcum laude.[5]
O'Keefe currently resides inNew York City with his wife,Allison Davis O'Keefe, a photographer, and their two children.[6]
After graduating from Georgetown University in 2000, O'Keefe began his career at ABC News as a desk assistant. He later worked as a reporter and producer, covering Capitol Hill and the2004 presidential campaign. His positions at ABC included producer for This Week withGeorge Stephanopoulos, Senior Political Editor, Managing Editor ofABCNews.com, and Executive Producer ofABCNews.com.[7][8][9]
O'Keefe covered the events ofSeptember 11, 2001, onCapitol Hill, reporting on SenatorJoe Biden's appearance onABC News, where Biden stated that the terrorist attacks were likely conducted byAl-Qaeda.[10]
He covered the2004 presidential election and spent nearly 16 months on the road with SenatorJohn Kerry. O'Keefe reported Kerry's concession live on-air in anABC News Special Report withCharlie Gibson.[11]
He reported on remarks by then-Senate Majority LeaderTrent Lott that contributed to his resignation. At a 100th birthday party for SenatorStrom Thurmond, Lott remarked that if Thurmond, who ran on a segregationist platform in1948, had won, “we wouldn't have had all these problems all these years.”[12] O'Keefe's story for ABCNews.com became the subject of a Harvard University study titled "Big Media Meets the Bloggers: Coverage of Trent Lott's Remarks at Strom Thurmond's Birthday Party."[13][14][15][16]
Following the 2004 election, O'Keefe covered the Senate confirmation hearings of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court alongsideGeorge Stephanopoulos.[17] He later worked on This Week, where he interviewed individuals includingGeorge Clooney,[18]Nora Ephron,[19]Stephen Colbert,[17]Sigourney Weaver,[20] andJohn Updike.[21]
As Executive Producer, O'Keefe was involved in the editorial direction ofABCNews.com and a partnership betweenYahoo! andABC News.[8][9]
After working at ABC for 12 years, O'Keefe became the founding editor-in-chief of the media start-upNowThis in 2012.[3]
After two years at NowThis, O'Keefe joined CNN as VP ofCNNMoney andCNN Politics.[22][23] In 2016, he became the SVP of Premium Content, overseeing strategy for several CNN divisions.[24] In 2018, he became the SVP of Content Development, overseeing CNN's digital and emerging platforms, including mobile, social, video, podcasts, and subscription services.[25] Initiatives during this time included The Axe Files withDavid Axelrod and the podcast Election 2000: Over/Time. O'Keefe was also involved in the development of ExplorePartsUnknown.com, the digital component to the Parts Unknown series withAnthony Bourdain.[26][27][28][29]
In January 2019, theShorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at theHarvard Kennedy School announced its Spring 2019 class of fellows, includingAdam Serwer,Maria Hinojosa, and O'Keefe. At Harvard, O'Keefe published research on news streaming in his paper “Streaming War Won” and conducted research on Theodore Roosevelt, examining unpublished letters, correspondence, and written records, particularly originating during Roosevelt's time in North Dakota.[1] O'Keefe's research culminated in his book,The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt, published in May 2024.[30]
O'Keefe was an Executive Producer of Explore Parts Unknown, which received aPrimetime Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series in 2018.[28]
He also received the Edward R. Murrow Award for Social Media (2017)[31] and twoWebby Awards for Anthony Bourdain: Explore Parts Unknown and 2016 Election, #MyVote.[32]
O'Keefe was nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy for “Enemy #1: The Hunt for Osama Bin Laden” (2012) and the Joan S. Barone Award for “Congress in Crisis” (2003).
He was a recipient of theGeorge Foster Peabody Award awarded to ABC News for coverage of the September 11 attacks.[33]
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