June 2009 represents CNN’s best June ever, as the network continued to outrank MSNBC in total day among both total viewers and the demo 25-54.  For the month, CNN averaged 633k total viewers, an impressive 61% advantage over MSNBC’s 393k, and posted 194k in 25-54, 38% ahead of MSNBC’s 141k. CNN also increased its advantage over MSNBC during June, growing to a 61% lead from 41% a year ago in total viewers, and increasing to 38% from 19% last year among 25-54.

CNN’s acclaimed Black in America continues this July with extraordinary and gripping stories of successful community leaders who are improving the lives of African-Americans.

As part of its strategy to move into new frontiers of digital content creation and distribution, CNN has appointed Louis Gump vice president of mobile, it was announced today by KC Estenson, senior vice president and general manager of CNN.com.

CNN Worldwide, in partnership with Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc) and 21st Century Leaders, is hosting the fourth annual Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience, a week-long program developed exclusively by CNN employees to teach rising high school juniors and seniors in Georgia about media literacy, journalism and personal leadership.

CNN has launched a fellowship program with Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism that will provide a promising graduate student real-world newsroom experience, it was announced today by Ken Jautz, executive vice president of CNN Worldwide. This is the first fellowship of its kind at CNN’s New York Bureau and will support one student for a six month period each year.

Money and Main St will explore how everyday Americans are picking up the pieces and moving ahead in tough financial times. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and chief business correspondent Ali Velshi will co-host this informative hour by interacting with virtual town halls from across the country along with CNN’s Money Team and a panel of financial experts.

CNN, HLN, CNN.com and Essence Communications, Inc., today announced a partnership to develop What Matters, a series of weekly news segments focused on issues of importance to the African-American community.

Mary Matalin, one of the nation’s foremost Republican strategists, has signed on to serve as a CNN political contributor. She will appear on programs across the network including Anderson Cooper 360°, State of the Union with John King, and The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.