Brown forces Zahn's hand @ CNN

Roughly 55 hours after Campbell Brown announced she was leaving NBC, and a mere 24 hours after CNN announced Brown's arrival, Paula Zahn has resigned from CNN. Here's the internal memo:

July 24, 2007

To: CNN U.S. Staff

From: Jon Klein


Paula Zahn has announced today that she will be leaving CNN. We are grateful for her dedication, professionalism and class over the last six years, as she has presided over our coverage of such significant news stories as 9/11, the launch of the war in Iraq, national elections and natural disasters, among many others.

In addition, she has used her on-air platform to tap into issues that were underrepresented in the national dialogue through her recent Out in the Open series, and the entire Paula Zahn Now team should be extremely proud of their work.

Paula's last day on the air will be next Thursday, August 2. Throughout the coming weeks, we will be utilizing substitute hosts at 8pm leading up to the November launch of a new program anchored by Campbell Brown. Additional details will be forthcoming.

Earlier this afternoon, Paula shared the news with her staff and she has asked me to pass along the following message from her:

To All,

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my departure from CNN, effective Thursday, August 2nd. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my tremendous respect for my good friends and colleagues, their talent and high standards.

It's been an extraordinary journey since my first day on the job, September 11th, 2001. During my 6 years with CNN, we've covered the war in Iraq, the devastation of Hurrican Katrina, the death of a Pope and the massacre at Virginia Tech. I am enormously proud of the work we've done covering these stories as a team.

Now is the right time for CNN and me to move ahead on different paths. I wish good luck and success to everyone I was fortunate to work with. And for the first time in 30 years, I plan to take a break between jobs and catch my breath before I take on my next role.

— Paula