Aug. 30 (UPI) — Mark Thompson, the former Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corp. and former CEO of The New York Times, is set to assume leadership of CNN on October 9 as the network’s new Chairman and CEO.
The British media executive’s appointment was announced in a statement by Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN.
Upon assuming the role, Thompson will also serve as Editor-in-Chief, providing direction for all content produced by CNN’s 4,000 news contributors worldwide.
Thompson’s hiring follows recent personnel changes at the network, including the removal of the previous CEO in June.
During the transition, an interim leadership team will remain in place and report to Thompson.
In his new position, Thompson will be responsible for CNN’s strategy, operations, and business units across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms, including a global portfolio of networks, channels, and programs, as stated in a press release from Warner’s front office.
“There isn’t a more experienced, respected, or capable executive in the news business today than Mark, and we are thrilled to have him join our team and lead CNN Worldwide into the future,” said Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
Zaslav further praised Thompson’s transformative leadership and passion for news, emphasizing his significance during this crucial time for CNN and journalism.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Thompson stated, “I couldn’t be more excited about the chance to join CNN after years of watching it and competing against it with a mixture of admiration and envy.” Thompson, who has been a leader in the news business for over four decades, recognizes the increasing need for accurate and trustworthy news in today’s world.
Thompson’s tenure at The New York Times from 2012-2020 was marked by the expansion of the newspaper’s digital business, growth in paid digital subscriptions and overall revenue, and successful content innovations such as The Daily podcast.
Prior to his time at The New York Times, Thompson led the BBC from 2004-2012, overseeing one of the world’s largest newsrooms with extensive global news assets, according to Warner.
In June, Thompson was knighted for his ongoing contributions to the media industry during the birthday ceremonies for King Charles III.
While CNN remains headquartered in Atlanta, the company has recently shifted resources to major hubs in Washington and New York. The location where Thompson will be based has not been disclosed by the company.
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