Public Radio International® named 2009 International Corporate Citizen

Public Radio International (PRI) announces that it has been named by the Twin Cities-based International Leadership Institute to receive the Institute's 2009 International Corporate Citizen Award. Bestowed on organizations and individuals whose work has contributed significantly to international understanding, cooperation, friendship and development, the award has been granted to such corporate leaders as Medtronic Inc. and 3M Corporation, as well as to individuals, including Vice President Walter Mondale and Joan Mondale, and Dr. Hong Yang, director of the University of Minnesota's China Center. PRI is receiving the award in recognition of its contributions to the local, national and international community in furthering understanding of how Americans affect and are affected by global events, trends and issues.

PRI produces and distributes signature content via radio, online and on-demand that presents global and cultural perspectives to help American listeners better live in our interconnected nation and world. Among PRI's best-known programs are PRI's "The World," an award-winning weekday global news magazine co-produced with the BBC World Service and WGBH Radio Boston, and "This American Life," a unique and creative take on American culture produced by Chicago Public Radio. "The Takeaway" is PRI's newest production, a ground-breaking morning news program and service co-produced with WNYC Radio.

The 2009 award will be conferred at ceremonies held in Minneapolis on April 20. PRI President and CEO Alisa Miller will accept the award on behalf of PRI staff and Board. "It is gratifying to have our work recognized," Miller says, "particularly by an organization whose outlook parallels our own. The International Leadership Institute upholds principles that are at the core of the PRI mission and vision, and their understanding of the unique leadership we provide and the singular contribution we make is exceptional. All of us at PRI are honored to be recognized and affirmed in this way."

The Twin Cities International Citizens Awards were first given in 1992, hosted by the Mayor of Minneapolis. In 1996, the Mayor of St. Paul joined and in 1997 the Commissioners of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties also became hosts. Today, the International Leadership Institute is hosting this annual international recognition event. It is being held in conjunction with "Twin Cities Business" magazine, a premier regional business resource. The magazine will also publish a feature article on PRI as the 2009 corporate award recipient. The awards recognize the depth and breadth of the Twin Cities' international connections, concerns and commitments — in business and trade, research and human rights, agriculture and technology, the arts and medicine, education and journalism, and in hospitality and humanitarian relief.

About Public Radio International®

Founded in 1983, Public Radio International leads media by producing, acquiring and distributing innovative content that enables U.S. audiences to "hear a different voice™," bringing new voices, global journalism and cultural perspectives to the American public. Through partnerships with BBC World Service and station-based and independent producers, the Minneapolis-based media leader provides more than 400 hours of content each week, broadcast to more than 30 million listeners* through 800 public radio stations and available through podcasts, streaming and on-demand through its Web site, pri.org. PRI's content is heard by more than 12 million* people each week through these collective sources.

*Source: Arbitron Nationwide/Act 1 Systems, Persons 12+ in DMA, Mon-Sun 24 hours, Spring '08.

PRI is known for driving innovation in public radio through partnerships with stations, independent producers and other organizations, and for working collaboratively to pool resources, share risk and cultivate new talent. Its newest production is "The Takeaway," a groundbreaking morning-drive news show produced with WNYC Radio. PRI's best known offerings include "This American Life," produced by Chicago Public Radio; PRI's "The World," a co-production of BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Radio Boston; "Living on Earth," produced by World Media Foundation Inc.; "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?," produced by Wisconsin Public Radio; "The Tavis Smiley Show," produced by Smiley Radio Properties Inc.; and "Studio 360 from PRI and WNYC®," produced by PRI and WNYC; as well as 24-hour program services — "Classical 24®," produced by American Public Media; and BBC World Service, produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation. For more information on PRI and its programs and services, visit www.pri.org.

###

CONTACT: Dan Jensen, PRI, 612.330.9212, djensen@pri.org