KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A bit of surprising news that come to all of us at this hour. After just leaving a meeting, we have been told that Walter Isaacson, our chairman and CEO of the CNN News Group will be stepping down. He will be stepping down at the end of the spring. As you know, Walter Isaacson has been our chairman and CEO here since July of 2001. He has had more than 25 years experience in journalism, from newspaper reporter to columnist to magazine editor. He came to us from TIME Incorporated. He offered us a lot of expertise and insight through his years of experience. He actually hired a number of us. Walter Isaacson will be going on to be the chairman and CEO of the Aspen Institute. For those of you not familiar with the Aspen Institute, it's a global forum for leveraging the power of leaders to improve the human condition. Isaacson saying it was a very tough decision. He's been thinking about this for a while, but came to us to let us know that he will be stepping down. I can tell you, personally, I will miss him, and a lot of people here at CNN will. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Isaacson Stepping Down as CNN CEO