Andrew Morse
Andrew Morse | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 10, 1974 Potomac, Maryland, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, media executive |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | President and publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Executive Vice President CNN US; co-founder of Great Big Story |
Andrew Morse (born March 10, 1974) is a prominent American journalist and media executive, currently holding the position of president and publisher at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
From 2013 until 2022, he served as Executive Vice President of CNN US and also as EVP and chief digital officer for CNN Worldwide. Morse is the co-founder of Great Big Story, a digital platform focused on storytelling, and has held various leadership, editorial, and production roles at both ABC News and Bloomberg L.P..
Early life and education
Born in Potomac, Maryland to parents Erica (Ritter) and Lewis F. Morse, he attended the Landon School located in Bethesda, Maryland. He earned a government degree from Cornell University, where he was editor-in-chief of The Cornell Daily Sun. In 2009, Morse participated as a Fellow in the Punch Sulzberger Executive News Media Leadership Program at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
ABC News (1996–2011)
Morse began his career at ABC News in 1997, initially working as a desk assistant and production coordinator within the Washington Bureau. He contributed as an associate producer during the launch of ABC News.com, marking his entry into digital journalism. Between 1998 and 2001, he held roles as assignment editor and producer based in ABC’s London bureau. In 2001, he reported on Team Adventure's attempt to set a new fastest record for the Transatlantic crossing.
Serving as Asia bureau chief and producer from 2002 to 2005, Morse directed ABC’s coverage of significant global events such as the Afghanistan War, Iraq War, the 2011 Egyptian revolution, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2004 South Asia Tsunami, and the 2002 Bali bombings. In 2003, he produced a feature commemorating the 50th anniversary of the inaugural successful ascent of Mount Everest. His reporting also took him to North Korea in 2004, where he was briefly detained and had equipment confiscated by the Korean Friendship Association.
After returning to the United States in 2005, Morse assumed the role of senior producer for early morning shows including Good Morning America and World News Now. From 2007 through 2010, he was Executive Producer of Good Morning America Weekend while simultaneously leading digital innovation initiatives at ABC. He managed ABC News Now, the network’s continuous broadband channel, and spearheaded development of its iPhone and iPad applications. Morse launched The Quick Fix in 2009—a concise online news series aimed at younger viewers featuring an informal style. Additionally, he orchestrated ABC's inaugural media collaboration with Facebook in 2008.
Bloomberg (2011–2013)
Between 2011 and 2013, Morse directed Bloomberg’s U.S. television network operations. He introduced new programming formats, expanded technology-related coverage along with the San Francisco Bureau, and furthered Bloomberg’s digital content initiatives. Under his leadership, Bloomberg TV grew its audience base and produced its first Presidential Debate coverage alongside comprehensive reporting on both the 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
CNN (2013–2022)
Morse joined CNN in 2013 as senior vice president of editorial for U.S. Television, overseeing news operations including political coverage through its Washington bureau. Jeff Zucker emphasized Morse’s pivotal role in integrating CNN’s digital and television news divisions.
By 2014, Morse advanced to Executive Vice President and General Manager of CNN Digital Worldwide, responsible for editorial content, product strategy, technology development, business growth, and partnerships across platforms such as CNN.com, CNN Underscored, CNN Audio, and Vault by CNN.
During his leadership tenure, CNN Digital experienced significant expansion and established distribution agreements with platforms including Apple TV, Roku, Pluto TV, Samsung, and Snapchat Discover. He also led the acquisition of Canopy—a company specializing in data privacy technology and personalized content recommendations. In recognition of these achievements, Fast Company named CNN Digital one of the "Best Workplaces for Innovators" in 2020.
Morse directed the launch of CNN+, overseeing all aspects from content creation to product development while recruiting over 500 employees including on-air talent. The service was funded by WarnerMedia and AT&T before its debut on March 29, 2022.
Great Big Story
Morse, alongside Chris Berend, co-established Great Big Story as an independent enterprise distinct from CNN. Debuting in October 2015, this startup prioritized social and mobile-first video streaming, with a strong focus on narrative-driven content rather than conventional news reporting.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2023–present)
In January 2023, Morse took on the roles of president and publisher at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His tenure has been marked by significant expansion in the publication’s digital subscriber numbers, along with broadening local news coverage, opinion pieces, newsletters, and other forms of digital media. Under his guidance, the AJC produced its inaugural feature-length documentary, titled The South Got Something To Say. He also introduced new offerings tailored to political audiences such as Politically Georgia, and launched projects highlighting Black culture, including U-ATL. In 2024, the AJC rolled out a new mobile application and revamped its website to improve user engagement across digital platforms.
Awards and honors
Morse has been honored with several prestigious awards, including two Emmy Awards. In 2017, he earned recognition as one of the "Changemakers in Media" by Digiday and was listed on Variety’’s "New Power of New York" roster. The following year, he was bestowed with the Media Visionary Award in acknowledgment of his dedication to community service.
| Year | Award | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Media Visionary Award | |
| 2010 | News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Coverage of a Current News Story – Long Form | 2010 Emmy Awards |
| 2004 | News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Investigative Journalism in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast | 2004 Emmy Awards |
Personal life
Morse is married to Ana Karina Burdsall, a writer who formerly served as president of the board at ECPAT USA. The couple has two children. An enthusiastic athlete, Morse completed an Ironman competition in 2019.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Target: Bin Laden | Executive producer | Television documentary |
| 2009–2011 | ABC World News Tonight with David Muir | Executive producer | 2 episodes produced |
| 2005–2010 | Good Morning America Weekend | Executive producer, senior producer | |
| 2005–2006 | Good Morning America | Senior producer | |
| 2004 | Primetime | Segment producer | 1 episode contribution |