Sir Mark Thompson, a prominent media executive, served as the director-general of the BBC from 2004 to 2012. Following his stint at the BBC, he held the position of chief executive at the New York Times for eight years until 2020.
Recognizing his contributions to the media industry, Sir Mark was knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours in June 2023.
On Wednesday, Warner Bros Discovery, the parent company of CNN, announced the appointment of Sir Mark as the new chair and chief executive of CNN Worldwide. This transition comes at a time of significant disruption and transformation within the industry.
Sir Mark will be replacing Chris Licht, who resigned from the position in June, shortly after assuming it in May 2022.
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining CNN, Sir Mark 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. The world needs accurate, trustworthy news now more than ever, and we’ve never had more ways of meeting that need at home and abroad.”
He continued, “Where others see disruption, I see opportunity. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and work with my new colleagues to build a successful future for CNN.”
In his new role, Sir Mark will act as the editor-in-chief of CNN, taking charge of all content across the global portfolio of networks, channels, and programming. Additionally, he will oversee the company’s 4,000 employees worldwide.
David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros Discovery, expressed his excitement about Sir Mark’s appointment, stating, “There isn’t a more experienced, respected, or capable executive in the news business today than Mark. We are thrilled to have him lead CNN Worldwide into the future. Mark is a true innovator who has transformed two of the world’s most respected news organizations for the digital age. His strategic vision, track record in transformational leadership, and passion for news make him a formidable force for CNN and journalism at this pivotal time.”
During his tenure as BBC director-general, Sir Mark spearheaded the development of the BBC iPlayer, expanded web and smartphone services, and led a major newsroom during significant global events, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
At the New York Times, he played a crucial role in transitioning the organization into a digital-first service with a large subscriber base.
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