AccuWeather hires NY1 exec as chief content officer

By Matt Collins Article may include affiliate links

AccuWeather has hired Helen Swenson as chief content officer.

Swenson, who started June 13, 2022, was previously vice president of content at Spectrum News NY1.

Reporting to Kurt Fulepp, AccuWeather president of digital, Swenson will direct strategy for all content initiatives across AccuWeather’s multiple platforms and formats, including the AccuWeather Network, AccuWeather Now streaming service and all digital content on the AccuWeather.com website and mobile app.

This includes overseeing the seamless integration of the AccuWeather brand story, weather, lifestyle and scientific insights into content across each AccuWeather ecosystem, for all audiences.

Swenson’s content, strategic programming and production career spans several decades of leading various content teams.

In addition to her tenure at NY1, where she served for more than two years, previous roles include senior vice president of programming at The Weather Channel, president and general manager of WIAT in Birmingham, creator and executive producer of the nationally syndicated talk show, “Sister Circle Live” and as news director for both KIRO in Seattle and WPEC in West Palm Beach, Florida.

She has also held several news executive positions within Cox Enterprises.

“I am thrilled to welcome Helen to implement her uncompromising, strategic vision for AccuWeather,” said Fulepp in a statement. “Her outstanding track record and impressive background as a renowned content visionary and media executive will go a long way to strengthen our brand and better serve our loyal and growing global audience. Helen is a genuine fan of AccuWeather, and importantly, she has the perfect mix of experience in breaking news, live programming and editorial specials to take our cross-platform content offering to new heights.”

AccuWeather billed Swenson as a “content creator” in its announcement.

Swenson also has considerable leadership experience, having served as a board member of NATAS Southeast Chapter and has been a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, the Asian American Journalists Association, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Human Rights Campaign.

AccuWeather reaches more than 1.5 billion people worldwide through its digital and media properties across all platforms and serves more than half of the Fortune 500 companies and thousands of other businesses and government agencies globally.