By: Dave Astor Kevin Eckstrom has been promoted from associate editor to editor of Religion News Service, effective May 1. At 30 years old, he may be the youngest editor in the more-than-seven-decade history of RNS.
Eckstrom will succeed Mark O'Keefe, editor of RNS since September 2004. O'Keefe is joining the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life as associate director, editorial.
When asked by E&P if any dissatisfaction caused O'Keefe's tenure as editor to be relatively short, RNS Business Manager Claudia Sans replied: "There was no dissatisfaction at all. Mark did great things for RNS. The new job was an ideal fit, and he couldn't pass it up. It has been a pleasure working with Mark."
Eckstrom also praised O'Keefe (profiled in E&P's October 2004 issue) and said he'll continue his predecessor's efforts to improve RNS and make its offerings appropriate for the current media environment.
For example, Eckstrom told E&P that RNS will try to offer more content of shorter length to fit today's shrinking newsholes and also increase its output of Web-appropriate material.
"And we'll continue to find ways to not only tell people what's happening but tell them what it really means," added Eckstrom.
How does it feel to be named editor? "Politicians talk about feeling humbled and honored by various things," he replied. "Now I have a better sense of what they mean. It's a huge job and a huge responsibility, but RNS has an exciting future."
RNS is a secular wire service that syndicates news and opinion to more than 100 major daily papers. Other clients include magazines, broadcast outlets, Web sites, and religious publications.
The award-winning Eckstrom joined RNS in 2000, and worked as national correspondent before being promoted to associate editor a year ago. He holds a master's from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. from George Washington University.
"Kevin knows the ins and outs of RNS," said Sans. "We're excited about what he'll do as editor."
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