CNN is adding content creator and author Kyla Scanlon to its roster of contributors. She’ll also work as an economic analyst.
What We Know: Scanlon will focus her attention on CNN Business. She focuses her content on the value of higher education and how Gen Z’s role is evolving in the economy. Between TikTok, Instagram, and Substack, Kyla Scanlon has more than 1 million followers. Last year, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance by Barron’s. It marked the second consecutive year she earned the honor.
What’s At Stake: Scanlon’s appointment comes as CNN continues to beef up its verticals like CNN Business and CNN Weather in recent months. Adding someone like Scanlon, who has hundreds of thousands of TikTok followers, shows CNN’s dedication to adding to its digital offerings.
What Remains Unclear: How frequently Scanlon will make appearances on CNN. Scanlon hasn’t created a new TikTok in more than a week, so it is unclear how frequently she’ll be making digital video content for herself and for CNN going forward.
What It Means: Is the addition of Scanlon the beginning of a new shift for CNN? Hiring a content creator for a contributor and analyst role shows the power of content creation on social media. It also shows the network isn’t worried about where they find up-and-coming talent as much as they’re interested in identifying it.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
