executive
CNN has appointed former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson to serve as its new chief executive, effective immediately. Thompson has served as the CEO of the Times since 2012 and is expected to take on a similar role at CNN. He succeeds Jeff Zucker, who announced earlier this year that he was leaving the network.
Thompson has a long history in media, having spent more than 20 years at the BBC in various executive roles. He was particularly instrumental in the transformation of the broadcaster and its move into digital media. At the Times, Thompson championed digital transformation and oversaw the launch of its digital subscription service. He is also credited with launching NYT Cooking, an online cooking publication.
In his new role at CNN, Thompson is charged with growing the network’s international presence and cultivating new digital products. He will also be responsible for overseeing corporate strategy and business development. Thompson’s appointment is seen as a major win for the network, as his expertise and impressive track record will surely help it to continue to grow.
