Marc Burstein, an ABC Information government who has masterminded the Disney information unit’s special-report protection of the whole lot from the 9/11 terrorist assaults to the 2024 presidential election, is poised to step away following January’s inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, capping off greater than 4 many years on the job.
“I’ve had a rare run and for the final 27 years it’s been my honor and a privilege to steer the particular occasions crew masking essentially the most important occasions of our time. It’s meant that not a day has passed by that I don’t fall asleep with out first checking that my cellphone is charged and the ringer is on excessive,” stated Burstein, senior government producer on the information division, in a memo to staffers issued Thursday. “After producing actually 1000’s of particular experiences and numerous deliberate occasions, the time has come for me to step away and sleep at evening. How does one know when the time is true? To be sincere, I don’t know. But it surely feels proper. One other presidential election is behind us and a brand new headquarters constructing is forward of us. After the inauguration subsequent month, I will likely be retiring from ABC Information.”
Burstein has turn out to be synonymous with ABC Information’ protection of distinctive moments. Simply this previous October, he was placing collectively a strategic plan for protection in case tallying the outcomes of the 2024 presidential election took many days till a concrete end result was identified. ““We’re ready to go from ‘GMA’ to ‘GMA’ if want be,” Burstein advised Selection, vowing to oversee a full 24 hours of protection on the day after the election if needed.
He has deep roots on the community. He joined ABC Information within the Nineteen Eighties, working first as a producer on “Good Morning America” and “World Information Tonight” earlier than taking extra senior roles on packages corresponding to “This Week with David Brinkley” and “PrimeTime Dwell.” Over time, he has labored with everybody from Peter Jennings to Diane Sawyer to David Muir.
“Marc is the trifecta of tv information — regular within the storm; inventive and daring when it’s over; and at all times the street buddy and pal who by no means leaves your aspect,” stated Sawyer in a press release to Selection. ‘Consider me, if you happen to’re stay on the air and falling aside, the sweetest sound in your ear is: ‘OK. Marc right here. I’ve obtained you. Let’s go.’”
Final month’s election marked Burstein’s seventh as an government producer of an ABC Information Election Night time report. He co-executive produced a novel 24-hour stay broadcast on the eve of the millennium titled “ABC 2000” that was anchored by Peter Jennings, and ran per week of protection within the aftermath of 9/11, when many TV networks dropped all commercials in favor of giving viewers continuous reporting on the nationwide tragedy.
“I don’t bear in mind a time when Marc Burstein wasn’t within the management room, as consequential occasions have been unfolding. He’s been a pressure — producing numerous particular experiences and stay particular occasions for greater than 4 many years at ABC Information,” stated David Muir, anchor and managing editor of “World Information Tonight” in a press release to Selection. “He has been the easiest at what he does for a very long time, and we’re grateful to him for his tireless work, unbelievable talent, and professionalism. He has set the bar — and I’m positive I’ll hear his voice in my ear lengthy after he leaves the management room.”
Burstein, who has just lately grappled with a most cancers analysis from which he stated he’s recovering, intends to proceed working with ABC Information as a marketing consultant. “I’ll proceed to pop up on Zooms and Groups conferences, be in your velocity dials and hopefully proceed to often see you within the halls of the best information division we’re all lucky to name residence,” he stated in his memo. “I can proceed the true pleasure I’ve mentoring, supporting and cheering you all on!”
ABC Information is contemplating find out how to fill his function, stated Debra OConnell, president, ABC Information Group and Disney Leisure Networks, and Almin Karamehmedovic, president of ABC Information, in a memo. “So many people have been within the trenches with Marc on numerous momentous events — many thrilling, some tragic — which have formed our world,” they stated, including: “There’s no problem Marc isn’t as much as, notably the private ones he’s just lately confronted, and he by some means at all times manages to get the job finished.”
