WQED Multimedia, which dismissed nine staffers in a round of layoffs earlier this month, unveiled a new strategic plan yesterday designed to help sustain the financial viability of the nonprofit media company and support its brand.

WQED's board of directors approved the plan, which includes investing in programming, engaging the community and exploring future strategic alignments -- possibly collaborating with other local or state public media outlets or universities.

General manager Deborah Acklin said WQED -- and PBS, too -- have an unintentional, unfortunate habit of putting viewers last on the list of those responsible for funding programs: the ubiquitous "and viewers like you" credit that follows corporate and foundation grants. WQED plans to move viewers to the top of the list on local programs to reflect the value of individual contributions.

After the meeting WQED president George Miles said the company hasn't set a budget for next year -- the fiscal year begins Oct. 1 -- and although extreme financial distress could derail intentions, he expects "On Q" will continue as a daily program, returning with new episodes the week of the G-20 summit in September.

"How it all gets funded out is something were working on," Miles said, adding that "On Q" "goes to the essence of our localism. [It's] the centerpiece of what we do. We can't be a reflection of this community if we don't have a vehicle to do it."

No mention was made of layoffs during the meeting, although Miles alluded to them afterward.

"This organization is positioned to grow," he said. "We've pruned this tree down far and as we started to put this plan together, as we water it, we'll start to grow. There's no doubt about that."

Miles, who took a 30 percent pay cut to $214,200 in March, said he has no plans "at the moment" to cut executive compensation further. Similarly, he doesn't foresee a need for further layoffs.

WQED narrowed a $734,000 operating loss for the first five months of the current fiscal year to $508,270 as of June 30. The company expects to reach break-even by Sept. 30.