Morse named A&S Zubrow Distinguished Visiting Journalist

Prominent new media executive and veteran journalist Andrew Morse ’96 has been named the Zubrow Distinguished Visiting Journalist (DVJ) Fellow in the College of Arts and Sciences for spring 2023.

A former senior leader at CNN, Bloomberg and ABC News, Morse was recently appointed president and publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, to lead the digital transformation of the South’s largest newspaper.

“Given his extensive experience with television, digital platforms and the business side of journalism, Andrew will bring interesting insights on the rapidly transforming media landscape. I’m excited that he will visit campus at a pivotal time in his own career, as he takes on a new professional challenge,” said Ray Jayawardhana, the Harold Tanner Dean of Arts and Sciences and Hans A. Bethe Professor. “The Zubrow visiting journalist program is a terrific opportunity for our campus community to interact with esteemed professionals from the multifaceted enterprise of journalism.”

Morse will expand the expertise brought to campus by the DVJ program with his wide-ranging experience in broadcast and digital news and media, meeting with faculty, researchers and students. Previously the program has featured Marc Lacey ’87, then national desk editor and now managing editor for The New York Times; Molly O’Toole ’09, an immigration and security reporter with the Los Angeles Times; Natalie Wolchover, senior science editor/writer for Quanta Magazine; and most recently Ann Simmons, Moscow bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal.

Morse’s role at CNN began as as executive vice president for editorial for the CNN/U.S. television network and global digital platforms, overseeing all domestic newsgathering teams and bureaus, the digital editorial organization, and the Washington Bureau and television programs.

As executive vice president and chief digital officer at CNN, Morse oversaw a global portfolio of businesses that included CNN.com, CNN Business, CNN Audio, CNN Underscored (the network’s e-commerce product) and CNN’s direct-to-consumer efforts, as well as the CNN en Español cable network and digital platform. As chief digital officer of CNN, Morse had general management oversight, including responsibility for editorial, programming, product development, technology and business operations.

Under Morse's leadership, CNN became the world’s No. 1 source of digital news and information, attracting more than 200 million unique users each month, and was the world’s most used and most profitable digital news service.

Prior to his position at CNN, Morse served as head of Bloomberg Television in the U.S., where he oversaw editorial, programming, operations and development for the 24-hour business news network.

Before moving to Bloomberg, Morse spent 15 years at ABC News in a number of executive and TV production roles, including executive producer for innovation, overseeing the network’s digital business and the teams that launched ABC News’ first iPhone and iPad applications.

Earlier in his career, Morse served as executive producer of Good Morning America’s Weekend edition and as a senior producer for World News Saturday and Sunday. He also worked as a bureau chief, producer and assignment editor based in London and Hong Kong. During his time overseas, Andrew reported and produced from over 40 countries.

Morse’s journalism career began as a student at Cornell majoring in government, working as a reporter for the Cornell Daily Sun. In his senior year, he served as editor-in-chief of the paper.

“I’m honored to have been selected as the Zubrow Distinguished Visiting Journalist,” Morse said. “I began my journalism career at Cornell, where I had the privilege to work for the Daily Sun. Since graduating, I’ve had the opportunity to see the entire profession undergo a dramatic transformation. I am looking forward to returning to campus to share what I’ve learned and to speak to students, faculty and staff as I consider the future of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.”

While on campus in March and April, Morse will meet with the current staff of the Sun, as well as with other student groups and faculty members. A public event is planned for the week of April 17.

Read the story in the Cornell Chronicle.