As Senior Executive Producer and Managing Editor of NBC News Political Programming, Betsy Fischer Martin is responsible for the development and execution of political coverage for NBC News. She provides the editorial direction of coverage across all of the network’s shows and digital teams, well as long-range major political coverage such as the upcoming mid-terms and the 2016 Presidential election. Additionally, she creates and executes coverage strategy for NBC News-branded polls and political data.
Before being promoted to her current position in July of 2013, Fischer Martin was at the helm of NBC’s number one rated Sunday morning public affairs program and the longest running television program in the world, “Meet the Press,” since July 2002.
In this capacity, as Sr. Executive Producer and Executive Producer, she produced interviews with U.S. Presidents, key Cabinet officials, heads of state and presidential candidates – including a special “Meet the Press” debate live from New Hampshire with all of the 2012 Republican candidates for president. Fischer Martin also created and produced an award winning series of special “Meet the Press” debates with the candidates from key U.S. Senate races beginning in 2002.
Additionally, she served as Tom Brokaw’s producer for NBC News’ coverage of the 2008 Presidential Election, including the conventions, debates, and election night. Fischer served with Tim Russert in the same capacity during NBC’s coverage of Special Events, and throughout the 2000, 2004 and 2008 elections.
Overall, Fischer Martin’s tenure with Meet the Press extended over 22 years as she held the positions of Executive Producer, and Senior Producer of “Meet the Press” and the NBC News Political/Polling Unit. Her career at NBC News began with an internship at “Meet the Press” while in college, becoming the political researcher for the program in 1992. She was promoted to Associate Producer in 1995, and Producer in 1997.
A native of New Orleans, Fischer Martin did her undergraduate and graduate work at American University in Washington, DC. She is a cum laude graduate of their School of Public Affairs and earned a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the AU School of Communications. She currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Public Affairs at American University.
Fischer Martin has been honored with several awards for her work with NBC, including two News and Documentary Emmys, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism, and a Gracie Award from American Women in Radio and Television. She has been featured in several publications including profiles in Television Week, The New Orleans Times Picayune, Marie Claire Magazine, Washington Business Journal, Washingtonian’s 50 Best & Most Influential Journalists, Washington Life’s Power 100, and GQ’s Powerful People in Washington.
Fischer Martin has recently been awarded the honor of "Young Global Leader of the World" by The World Economic Forum, which recognizes 250 global young leaders for their professional accomplishments, their commitment to society and their potential to contribute to the shaping of the future world.
She is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the National Press Club and the International Women’s Forum.
She lives in Falls Church, Virginia with her husband, Jonathan Martin, National Political Correspondent for the New York Times, and her daughter Ella, a 6th grader.