Profile Summary
Name: Jon Steinberg
Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Company: Future plc
Location: London, UK
Professional Network: Over 500 connections on LinkedIn
Industry: Media and Publishing
Professional Experience and Achievements
Current Role at Future plc
Jon Steinberg has been the CEO of Future plc since April 3, 2023, succeeding Zillah Byng-Thorne. Future plc is a global platform for specialist media, reaching its audience through brands such as Marie Claire, CinemaBlend, TechRadar, and PC Gamer.
Steinberg's tenure at Future plc began amid a crucial transition phase, focusing on reversing a sharp decline in the company’s value. His strategic initiatives have already led to notable improvements in the company's editorial content and production standards, increasing overall news content production by 23% (Press Gazette, May 17, 2024).
Key Highlights:
- As CEO, Steinberg has been influential in steering the company towards a period of recovery and growth.
- Initiatives under his leadership include expanded editorial staff and heightened focus on news content production.
- In August 2023, he oversaw the sale of SmartBrief, hinting at a strategy of shedding non-core assets to streamline operations and focus on core capabilities (Sky News, Aug 30, 2023).
Past Professional Roles
- Altice USA: President of the News and Advertising Division where he played a pivotal role in overseeing News 12 and i24NEWS.
- Cheddar Inc.: Founder and CEO, a media company covering tech news and culture, which was eventually acquired by Altice for $200 million in April 2019.
- Daily Mail North America: CEO, leading the digital transformation efforts.
- BuzzFeed: President and COO, where he significantly contributed to developing their business model centered on content marketing.
Previous Engagements in Media and Technology:
- Held positions at Google as a Strategic Partner Development Manager for small-medium business partnerships.
- Executive in Residence at Polaris Venture Partners.
- Founder of iBuilding, a company focused on commercial real estate software.
Board Memberships and Advisory Roles
- Sits on the board of directors for Bustle.com.
- Advisory roles with media startups such as The Skimm and Taboola.
Operational and Strategic Vision
Innovative Leadership
Steinberg’s experience at BuzzFeed and Cheddar exemplifies his capability to drive innovation and scale media ventures. His tenure at Cheddar showcased his talent in navigating new media landscapes and securing significant investments, evidenced by the $10 million funding from Comcast and other investors in September 2016 (Variety, Apr 30, 2019).
AI and Digital Media Expertise
Recently, Steinberg has articulated Future plc’s strategies around AI content licensing and high-intent audience engagement (Digiday, Sept 10, 2023). He emphasizes leveraging technology to enhance digital media products while maintaining editorial integrity.
Educational Background
- Princeton University: A.B. from Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
- Columbia University: M.B.A.
Personal Background
Jon Steinberg is originally from New York City and resides in the Upper East Side with his wife, Jill, and their children, Cooper and Edie. His early interest in technology is reflected in his formative experiences, such as attending the Walt Disney Imagineering summer intern program at the age of 15.
Relevant Insights for Sales and Engagement
- Leadership and Vision: Steinberg’s track record demonstrates a focus on innovation, operational efficiency, and value creation. Tailoring engagement strategies to highlight solutions that align with his results-driven approach could resonate well.
- AI and Digital Transformation: Emphasizing offerings related to digital media, AI, and content marketing could appeal to Steinberg, given his strategic focus in these areas.
- Growth and Recovery: Positioning products or services that contribute to reversing company value declines or enhancing editorial quality could find a receptive audience in Steinberg, who has shown a commitment to these objectives at Future plc.
Data Sources: LinkedIn, Wikipedia, Press Gazette, Variety, Digiday, and other professional platforms.
