Kate Lewis has been named chief content officer of Hearst Magazines. The announcement was made by Hearst president and CEO, Steven R. Swartz, and Troy Young, president of Hearst Magazines, to whom Lewis will continue to report. The appointment is effective immediately.
Lewis joined Hearst Magazines Digital Media in 2014 as vice president of content operations and editorial director. She was promoted to senior vice president in 2016. In her new role, Lewis will direct content strategy for Hearst Magazines brands in print and digital, overseeing all editors-in-chief and digital directors in the U.S., and liaise with the company’s international network to maximize global content opportunities. She will also work closely with product and technology teams, consumer marketing and the division’s branded content unit, HearstMade.
“Hearst Magazines stands today unrivaled in its collection of successful print and digital brands,” said Swartz in a statement. “With her strong background in both worlds, Kate is ideally suited to help our editors and producers take their products to the next level of excellence by finding new ways to collaborate.”
Before joining Hearst, Lewis was senior vice president and editorial director at Say Media, overseeing content operations, editorial strategy and audience development for Say’s portfolio of digital brands. Prior to joining Say, Lewis held senior executive roles at Condé Nast Publications, after 10 years as managing editor of Self, where she oversaw editorial and production, digital projects, book publishing, events and television partnerships.
“Kate has built a team of first-rate editorial talent that is focused on publishing exceptional feature and service journalism in words, images and video,” said Young. “She has played an integral role in growing our digital organization into the fast-moving, profitable business it is today. Kate’s responsibilities will be broader, but her core mission is the same: making content and products that engage and entertain readers, with a focus on excellence in storytelling and service. She’s an insightful leader with a profound understanding of our brands and our audiences, and she will move our editorial teams towards greater collaboration across platforms.”
Since Lewis’ arrival at Hearst, monthly unique visitors across the Hearst Magazines Digital Media portfolio more than tripled. She also oversaw content and strategy for the portfolio’s social media, which has grown to an audience of 220 million, and was responsible for both editorial video and branded content. She was also named an Advertising Age “Woman to Watch” in 2018.
“We reach a larger audience than ever before across print, digital and social, so we need to create content that caters to both the tremendous scale and the personal passions of our consumers,” Lewis said. “This role is an extraordinary opportunity for me to work holistically with our talented editorial teams on these powerful brands. I am excited to continue the growth of our existing titles, build new brands and find new audiences together.”
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