Ciel Hunter, who spent 14 years at Vice Media, has stepped down from the board of The Salt Lake Tribune to be Vice President of Development for the nonprofit news organization.
Hunter will focus primarily on The Tribune’s efforts at engaging with philanthropic supporters.
“In a practical sense, what this [role] involves is strategy — figuring out our plans and initiatives for how to fund The Tribune long-term,” said Hunter, who started April 17.
Hunter said she wanted the job because she believes in The Tribune’s nonprofit model — one that can be an example for other news organizations.
It is that connection, being for the community and supported by it, that excites her about The Tribune, she said.
Hunter said she appreciates her time on The Tribune’s board, and learning from fellow board members. However, she said, “the board has a very clear purview where it’s not involved in the day-to-day. … My job [in development] is to work for the newsroom, and that makes me so excited because I respect the work that is coming out every day.”
Hunter has worked in media in many forms: record labels, live events, TV, digital and print. In her 14 years at Vice Media, she helped build an in-house agency, managed major commercial partnerships, worked with talent, and oversaw editorial, video and social media as Vice’s Global Head of Content. More recently, she has worked as a consultant for brands and nonprofits, specializing in brand and content strategy, and content funding.
A Columbia alumna, Hunter said her journalistic background should lend itself well to her goals in her new role.
“Nonprofit news is a unique entity, and especially this notion of converting legacy outlets into nonprofits,” she said.
Lauren Gustus, The Tribune’s executive editor, said in an announcement to staff that Hunter is someone “who can think strategically about the many opportunities there are for prospective Tribune supporters to engage with us.”
Gustus cited Hunter’s “experience in securing support for multiple brands” at Vice as an asset, as well as her time on The Tribune’s board, which “enables us to benefit from pre-existing relationships we hope will lead to more philanthropic support.”
Hunter is a Utah native. “I was born and raised here, grew up loving local media and journalism,” she said, adding that she is excited to be working for The Tribune.
“I am just really excited to work hard to support The Tribune and prove that this model works,” she said.
