Michael Olson leads audience development, platform strategy and AI integration across Minnesota Public Radio's digital and social teams. His work sits at the intersection of public media's mission and the realities of reaching people where they are, on social platforms, in inboxes and through the tools they use every day.

Under Michael's leadership, MPR News has built a social media presence recognized for its speed, accuracy and care during fast-moving news events, including the station's widely praised coverage of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. He spearheads initiatives to convert social media followers into lasting, direct relationships through email and SMS, most notably through MPR's Build Your Ballot project, which brought thousands of new subscribers into the fold during the 2024 election cycle.

Michael is currently a Knight Foundation Fellow with the CUNY News Executive Program where his work focuses on owned audience strategies for public media in an era of platform instability and AI disruption.