Thomas Bradford

151 West 28th St. (3E)

New York, NY   10001

212-239-7863

tom@tombradford.com

 

Summary:

Senior broadcast executive and network television news producer with over 25 years’ experience at CBS in writing, field production, broadcast production, overseas operations, high-level planning, recruiting and staff management.  Created, launched and produced network programs.
Also: Provided comprehensive planning for a news channel to be launched in the Middle East and a US-based entertainment and news cable property.

 

 

 

 
Work History:

Consultant/Planner, Overseas Media, Inc. (2003)

Planned organization, budgets and strategy for two cable properties, one in Israel and another in New York.  Responsibilities included staffing plans, oversight of programming schedules, engineering, office architecture, budget preparation, recruiting and general policy guidance.

Entrepreneurial Projects, Seattle (2000 to 2002)

Developer and chief operating officer for two high-tech startup firms, one involving leased “server space,” another dedicated to future advanced capabilities of cellular telephones.

CBS News, New York (1982 to 1999)

Co-Executive Producer, The CBS Morning News (1998,’99)

Oversaw all story selection, writing and production for CBS’s morning national TV news broadcast.

Executive Producer, CBS News Up to the Minute (1992 -1999)

Created and managed groundbreaking four-hour nightly news broadcast, whose hallmarks were consistent aggressive news coverage (including events surrounding the fall of the USSR and war in the former Yugoslavia), timely interviews, innovative feature segments during the first Internet craze (“WIRED on UTTM,” “Digi-Pick,” “Digital Drive”). Produced live remote broadcasts including NASA’s Hubble Telescope repair mission, Winter Olympics in Albertville and Lillehammer. Stretched limited resources utilizing latest broadcast and computer technologies and launched first-ever network news Web site (UTTM.COM). 

Night News Manager, CBS News (1989 – 1992)

Managed both national and foreign desks; set up and administered new systems to speed response to breaking news stories; created and edited “The Gulf Gazette,” CBS News’ internal organ (e-mailed as often as every 30 minutes) to keep all staff members apprised of minute-by-minute developments in the first Gulf war.

Senior Producer, CBS This Morning (1986 – 1989)

Planned and organized daily news coverage worldwide for CBS’s two-hour premier morning show, coordinated producers and correspondents worldwide, and recruited talent.

Deputy Foreign Editor, CBS News  (1985 – 1986)

Coordinated coverage by CBS News bureaus and correspondents worldwide; oversaw travel and transmission logistics; traveled to Africa to secure special coverage of apartheid-related stories.

Director of Recruiting, CBS News  (1982 – 1985)

Working as a journalist, identified and recruited the best candidates, many of whom became well-known CBS News correspondents, producers and managers. Administered the CBS News Minority Training and internship programs.   Created state-of-the art computer system to inventory and track potential staffers and spoke frequently to graduate school classes and at journalism conferences.

 

CBS Television Stations Division (1972 to 1982)

KCBS-TV (then KNXT), Los Angeles (1978 – 1982)  Managing Editor, Executive Producer, Producer 

Hired to develop and produce a new one-hour evening news show. Later served as Executive Producer of 11O’Clock News, then Managing Editor for entire news operation.  Produced Emmy Award-winning documentary on Watts riot and its legacy.

WBBM-TV, Chicago (1972 – 1978) Managing Editor, Executive Producer, Anchor Producer

Hired to produce The Ten O’Clock News, went on to become anchor producer for Bill Kurtis and eventually Executive Producer and Managing Editor.

ALSO:

Producer, writer, Assignment Editor, WOTV, Grand Rapids, MI, Reporter, Newark Evening News, Passaic Herald News, The Paterson Evening News; Copy Boy, The Paterson News

 

Education:           Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI (1960-1964)

Language:           French (conversational)

Personal:             Active United States Cycling Federation (USCF) bicycle racer