Condé Nast appoints Roger Lynch CEO and Jonathan Newhouse chairman

Roger Lynch. Photo: LinkedIn

Lynch also will join the board when his appointment takes effect on April 22.

Jonathan Newhouse said, “After conducting a thorough search for an executive to run the combined Condé Nast US and Condé Nast International, we believe Roger is the right person to lead Condé Nast during our new phase of global integration, growth and transformation. Roger is a transformative leader with significant international experience and a proven track record building companies at the evolving intersection of media and technology. His strong business acumen, relevant experience, and ability to unite a team around a common purpose to drive results make him a clear choice for our next CEO.”

Steve Newhouse, board member, said, “What impressed us most about Roger was his passion for great journalism, magazines that make a difference, and brands that have exceptional potential for growth. Roger will build on the outstanding work of Bob Sauerberg and Jonathan Newhouse in extending our print brands into digital video, data and experiences. We are delighted that Roger, a truly innovative leader, will carry this work forward, and we are grateful to Bob and Jonathan for making so much progress in a challenging environment.”

Lynch has extensive experience leading innovative consumer media and technology businesses through critical transformation and high-growth periods. Most recently, as president and CEO of Pandora, Lynch led the turnaround of the streaming music service. At Pandora, he refocused the business on growth, transformation and investment initiatives to accelerate revenue and generate positive returns.

“I have long admired the extraordinary, award-winning content produced by Condé Nast,” said Lynch. “The company is home to some of the most culturally-significant and iconic media brands in the world. As a newly combined global company, we have the opportunity to accelerate the evolution of the consumer experiences and value we deliver to our audiences and partners around the world. I’m very excited to work alongside the talented, passionate and creative team at Condé Nast as we drive the next phase of the company’s growth.”

Jonathan Newhouse becomes chairman of board of directors

Jonathan Newhouse will become chairman of the board of directors and will relinquish his position as CEO of Condé Nast International. Also with Lynch’s appointment, Bob Sauerberg, who served as CEO of Condé Nast’s US business for the past three years, will step down and exit the organisation after 18 years with the company. Sauerberg will continue to represent Advance on the board of Reddit.

Jonathan Newhouse. Photo: Condé Nast International

“Jonathan Newhouse has led Condé Nast International for nearly 30 years with an unparalleled record of success,” said Steve Newhouse, co-president of Advance. “One of the most important people in the company’s history, Jonathan is responsible for our remarkable global footprint. I am grateful to him for his contribution and glad he will continue to contribute to Advance as chairman of the board of Condé Nast and in other capacities.”

“I’m excited to lead the board of directors of Condé Nast as it enters the next stage of its evolution as a modern media company,” said Jonathan Newhouse. “I leave Condé Nast International as a thriving business within a powerful, global organisation led by the accomplished Roger Lynch.”

Jonathan has been the architect of Condé Nast’s global expansion since taking the helm of Condé Nast International in 1990. As chairman and chief executive, he led the transformation of the company from a regional magazine publisher based in Western Europe to a global media company encompassing 32 markets, more than 120 magazines and some 100 websites. He launched editions of Vogue in China, Russia, Japan, India, South Korea, Turkey, the Middle East, Poland, Holland, Greece, Ukraine and many other markets.

Condé Nast is a member of FIPP.

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