Stephen Schram, interim director of Michigan Public Media since March 2006, has been selected as director, effective Oct. 1. He was chosen after a nationwide search.
Michigan Public Media includes Michigan Radio, an NPR news station broadcasting in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Flint; Michigan Television, a PBS member station broadcasting in Flint; Michigan Productions, a University department offering full-service studio and on-location video production services; plus The Michigan Channel, the University’s cable channel devoted to lifelong learning, seen on Comcast Channel 22 in Washtenaw County.
“Since joining Michigan Public Media in March, I have been very impressed by the depth and dedication of our team. I truly value the support of President Mary Sue Coleman and thank our members, listeners and viewers for their belief in the high-quality, informative programming we strive to deliver,” Schram says. “With this appointment, we can now plan the continued growth and vibrancy of Michigan Radio and Michigan Television to make it the best public broadcast service in the state.”
As director, Schram will be responsible for continuing Michigan Public Media’s high-quality news and information programming, as well as overseeing all aspects of business operations.
“Michigan Public Media constitutes a family of tremendous assets for the University in its service to the public, and we can be very proud of it,” Coleman says. “I have been deeply impressed by Steve Schram’s efforts and accomplishments since he began serving as interim director in March. He has turned his wealth of experience in broadcasting and broadcast management to the great benefit of Michigan Public Media.”
Schram has 17 years of senior leadership experience in the Detroit radio and TV market, including executive positions with Infinity Broadcasting, Clear Channel Broadcasting and WJBK-TV Fox 2.
In 2003 he was hired as vice president and general manager of three FM radio stations in Detroit, and was promoted to senior vice president and director of sales for Infinity Broadcasting’s six-station Detroit radio group, where he served until 2005. From 1996-2002, he was vice president and general manager for Clear Channel’s seven Detroit-area radio stations. He was director of marketing for TV 2 from 1988-96.
Schram served as director of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters in 1999-2002 and 2003-05. He holds a bachelor’s degree in television and radio from Michigan State University.
