“Smith”
Smith
Credit: Stephen Voss/NPR

Margaret Low Smith, news chief at NPR responsible for its 400 journalists since 2011, is moving to The Atlantic in September to take over its events unit.

Bob Cohn, COO of The Atlantic, said NPR's senior VP news is a "newsroom leader who understands the high editorial and product standards we strive to meet every day."

Atlantic Live produces dozens of events in Washington and other cities geared to pressing issues and ideas of the day.

The Atlantic says the operation, which includes one-on-one interviews with entrepreneurs, forums on innovation and events tied cover stories, chalked up record results during the first-half of 2014.

Smith will succeed Elizabeth Baker Keffer, founding president of the unit, and work closely with Steve Clemons, editor-at-large at The Atlantic, and Emily Akhtarzandi, head of AtlanticLive's sales team.

She's a 32-year veteran of NPR, joining as overnight production assistant for "Morning Edition."

Smith rose to become VP/programming in charge of production deals and managing relations with acquired programs.

Smith oversaw the development of "Wait, Wait…Don't Tell Me," the popular news quiz and forged its events strategy.

AtlanticLive has a partnership with the Aspen Institute It will unveil CityLab in Los Angeles, a September session with global mayors and urban leaders to grapple with ideas to create more livable and sustainable cities.

That event is a partnership with Aspen and Bloomberg Philanthropies.