“Dialed in with Duchesne” is a series of posts from Minnesota Public Radio’s President Duchesne Drew sharing his vision and commitments as MPR creates the future of public media by amplifying voices to inform, include, and inspire. The series will consider the complexities of our state—the great things we do together and the challenges before us—as we shape our services for you, our listeners and members.
About Duchesne Drew
Duchesne Drew is Senior Vice President of American Public Media Group and President of Minnesota Public Radio. In this role, he leads the teams that produce MPR News, The Current, APM Reports and Marketplace. Additionally, he oversees YourClassical MPR as a part of Minnesota Public Radio.
Much is written about March as a signal of seasonal transition—strong winds, longer daylight, and spring flowers. At MPR it’s also when we examine the state of our budget: how we’ve deployed the funds we have on hand and what plans we want to bring forward for a new fiscal year that begins in July. We assess the ways we’ve applied the generosity of our members and donors to produce the programs you count on every day.
This month I am focusing on connection, specifically the bonds we at MPR are working diligently to grow across our magnificent state. Connection lives at the heart of our work. Our strength and resilience as Minnesotans are bound up in our interdependence, our interrelatedness.
Did you know, there are 1440 minutes in a day? Our daily task is to decide how we will use them. It’s an exercise in both discipline and intention.
Last month I talked about trust as the essential element in everything we do at MPR. When we act from our core values, live into our commitment to being trustworthy, we can do almost anything. That’s why this month I’ll share with you the great work we are doing through partnerships and the way partnerships are a crucial path to our future as a media company.
Here at MPR, we continue to focus on being a primary source of statewide local news, music, and entertainment. We’re dedicated to that mission—committed to creating an organization that focuses on what’s essential and special about our region, reflects our region, and grows our community connections.
I love the Fair. The Minnesota State Fair is a city unto itself, attracting about 150,000 people a day, and it’s an experience like no other. All of us at MPR really enjoy saying hello to everyone who stops by our booth to chat, meet some of our team, and grab some MPR swag.
In a time when polls show trust in news is declining, all of our APMG brands, including Marketplace, stand out as countering this erosion—our brands are seen and heard as essential, reliable, and solid.
For all of us in media, this time of year is also a season for celebration because regional and national awards are being announced. What a remarkable season it has been for all of us — APMG, MPR News, Classical, the Current, and Marketplace. Our hosts, producers, reporters and the whole team working here have been recognized for the range, depth, and excellence of their work. It is because of such dedicated teamwork and depth of talent that we deliver our best content to you, our members and listeners. And it is because of your support that we are able grow this exceptional talent.
At Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), we’re also facing a shortfall in revenues. We’re working hard to stabilize our budget before the end of our fiscal year on June 30. But we have a unique strength. And that is you, our members.
Duchesne Drew states that each year we work hard to invest the resources we have with great care. We aim our focus on what matters most to you, our listeners, and to our ability to serve the state with news, music, information, and entertainment.