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March 27, 2023

Time editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal steps down

Edward Felsenthal will become executive chairman and contributing editor at Time in June.

By Charlotte Tobitt

Time editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal is stepping down after six years at the helm and four of those also as chief executive.

From 1 June Felsenthal will become executive chairman and, he said, “become a contributing editor, writing, working with our Events and Studios teams and supporting our company and our journalism in every way I can”.

He will be succeeded at the 100-year-old magazine title by Sam Jacobs as interim editor-in-chief. Jacobs has spent a decade at Time, including as deputy editor over the past four years.

Time chief executive Jessica Sibley, who herself took that top job in November after joining from Forbes, said: “I look forward to working with Sam as we continue our focus on Time’s digital transformation and the growth of our storied brand.”

Felsenthal has been editor-in-chief since 2017 and was chief executive from 2018 when Time was bought by tech entrepreneur Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne.

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He said in his message to staff on Monday: “In my first editor’s letter to readers in 2017, I wrote about the obligation that all of us feel to ensure an extraordinary Second Century for this institution. Time couldn’t be in better hands with Jess leading our company, Sam steering our journalism, and all of you who further our mission every day.”

In an interview with Press Gazette in 2020, Felsenthal said at that point Time was focused on growing beyond the print product: “I think for a long time, Time and the other magazines… at Time Inc, there was a stated commitment to digital, and certainly some meaningful efforts to be digital. But frankly the print profits were so significant for so long that I think the company suffered from the innovators’ dilemma and there wasn’t really the incentive to go hard at digital. And we’ve been deeply focused on getting out of that headspace.”

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Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
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