CMG Taps Jodie Fleischer And Josh Wade For Roles In Investigative Unit

Cox Media Group today appointed award-winning investigative journalists Jodie Fleischer and Josh Wade managing editor and executive producer, respectively, of its newly created Investigative Unit. Fleischer’s appointment is effective immediately, while Wade will begin his duties in June.

In their new roles, Fleischer and Wade “will strengthen CMG’s commitment to investigative and enterprise reporting, build national collaborations among CMG investigative teams nationwide, and produce original long-form investigative content,” CMG said. In addition, they will support the investigative efforts of CMG reporters and producers and develop long-form content for CMG’s OTA feeds, websites and apps.

Jodie Fleischer

Fleischer is returning to CMG after spending 15 years as an investigative reporter at WSB-TV Atlanta and a reporter for WFTV Orlando, Fla. Most recently, she was an investigative reporter for WRC Washington. During her career, she has been honored with journalism’s top honors for investigative reporting, including an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, an Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, and numerous Edward R. Murrow and Emmy Awards.

She is also the recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for a multi-year series leading to numerous indictments and a change in Georgia law. A native Floridian, Fleischer is serving her second term on the board of directors of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), an organization that works to train and support investigative teams around the world.

Josh Wade

Wade is senior investigative producer/photographer for WSB. His 20-year investigative career there has changed laws, helped to free the wrongfully convicted and spurred legal action. CMG said he “has a passion for giving a voice to the voiceless; holding the powerful accountable; challenging government corruption; and exposing defects in the cars, planes and trucks that transport us.”

A jack of all newsroom trades, Wade has taken on production, shooting, editing, lighting, graphic design, writing, data analysis and webpage design. His work to date has resulted in 15 Emmys, 11 Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award. A native of Wilmington, Del., he began his broadcast career as a weekend editor at the CBS affiliate in Austin, Texas, in 1996, before joining CMG in 2002.

“Cox Media Group remains dedicated to journalism excellence and our expanded investigative unit will build on that commitment by allowing us to have a bigger and more positive impact in our communities,” said Marian Pittman, CMG EVP of content, product and innovation at CMG. “I’m thrilled to welcome Jodie back to CMG and watch her grow our investigative acumen and scope. She is dedicated to uncovering the facts and can leverage CMG assets on all platforms.

“Josh’s new role exemplifies how CMG invests in its people and promotes internal talent who can accelerate our news leadership across more platforms than ever before. I look forward to watching Jodie and Josh’s impact across our company and investigative journalism.”