In a memo to staff on Tuesday, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Julie Pace announced that Saeed Ahmed has been named AP’s first vice president of news for digital platforms:
I am thrilled to announce that Saeed Ahmed, an innovative and highly experienced digital news leader, is joining the AP as our first vice president of news for digital platforms. In this senior leadership role, Saeed will lead our efforts to deepen engagement with audiences on APNews, social media and other emerging digital platforms, with the goal of bringing AP’s world class journalism to more people, in more modern ways.
Saeed is uniquely positioned to lead this important area of growth for AP and oversee our expanding digital team. He joins us from BBC, where he served as head of digital journalism, tasked with expanding the outlet’s reach in North America. He was previously director of digital news for NPR and assistant managing editor for digital at CNN, where he led a content diversity initiative and launched the top newsletters in CNN’s portfolio: 5 Things and The Good Stuff.
Saeed is passionate about newsroom diversity and inclusive storytelling. He’ll also bring a global perspective to his new role; he was born in Bangladesh, raised in the United Arab Emirates and came to the U.S. to attend Morehouse College.
Saeed starts on Feb. 6. He’ll initially commute between New York and Washington while he wraps up a teaching stint at Georgetown University. After the semester ends, he’ll work from New York headquarters. I know he’s eager to meet staff there, and in locations around the world.
Please join me in welcoming Saeed to the AP!
