Matt Gaffney

About

Matt Gaffney is a Leader, Team Builder, Strategist, Storyteller, Creator. A communications professional with deep experience in broadcast journalism and social media. He has been producing award winning and highly rated television news broadcasts for more than 25 years. As an executive level producer for 20+years, Matt has motivated news teams to pursue excellence in journalism and communications while engaging audiences of morning and evening newscasts with unique and impactful content, both on broadcast and digital platforms.Matt excels at taking complex information and leading a team of producers, writers, and reporters to present it in understandable, informative, creative, and engaging content for a wide audience. He has excellent judgement in identifying the key points that will resonate. Matt thrives on turning complex logistical challenges into efficient and flawlessly executed coverage plans, both for everyday news gathering as well as for major events. Matt juggles these tasks under extreme deadline pressure. He likes to say it's like putting on a Thanksgiving dinner nearly every day of the year!Matt is currently the Senior Broadcast Producer for The Lead With Jake Tapper at CNN in Washington, DC. Prior to this, Matt was the Senior Producer on The Newscast with Wolf Blitzer on CNN+. Before joining CNN in January 2022, Matt was an Executive Producer at WTTG and oversaw the early evening newscasts (4pm-7pm) on FOX 5 in Washington, DC, the nation's 6th largest television market. He led a team of 40+ editorial and technical journalists. Newscasts under his supervision were often rated #1 in their time period, not only attracting tens of thousands of broadcast viewers but also a robust digital audience through newscast live steams, breaking news and special event live streams, daily instapoll questions, and podcasts. Matt has led coverage of some of the biggest news events of the past quarter century including 9/11, Presidential Elections and Inaugurations, the January 6th Capitol Riot, protests following the death of George Floyd, World Series and Stanley Cup Championships, and Papal visits to DC.Matt is a passionate and engaging leader who cultivates a positive team environment through a mix of lively engagement with his staff and firm but positive reinforcement of best workplace practices. He is a confident and dynamic speaker. Matt lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and two children.