William R. McAndrew (September 7, 1914 - May 30, 1968) was the director of NBC News from 1951 until his death in 1968.(31 May 1968). William R. McAndrew, 53, Dies; Directed N.B.C. News Since 1951, The New York Times, p. 29(3 June 1968). William McAndrew, NBC News Chief, dies at 53, Broadcasting, p. 47
McAndrew was born in Washington, D.C. in 1914, and started his career in journalism by becoming a part-time reporter for The Washington Herald in 1935 just before graduating from Catholic University. He was with UPI for two years and then joined NBC News. In 1942, he joined the Board of Economic Warfare of six months, and then joined ABC News for 18 months before returning to NBC. In 1951, he became the manager of network news and oversaw the network's news under growing titles, becoming the president of NBC News in 1965.
McAndrew was a leader in the development of television journalism. He created The Huntley–Brinkley Report, using two anchors located in different cities. He won a Peabody Award in 1962, a Personal Award for his "vision and leadership" as NBC News' Executive Vice-President.Personal Award: William R. McAndrew, Peabody Awards, Retrieved 31 May 2022
He died at age 53, a few days after being injured in a fall. He was survived by his wife,Carmody, John (29 March 1989). The TV Column, The Washington Post (mention of death of widow Irene in 1989 at age 74) three children, and three grandchildren. His daughter Mary also became a journalist,(19 June 1999). Mary McAndrew, 53, Longtime Newswoman, Chicago Tribune(24 April 2013). Obituary: Irene M. Collier, The Connection (obituary for daughter Irene who died in 2013) and son William (Bill) Jr. worked in media relations at NBC News for many years.(21 February 2015). Obituary, The Journal News (obituary for son William Jr. who died in 2015)
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