Professional Profile
Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, a major publication highly regarded within the media sector. Since his appointment in February 2021, Thompson has led the company through a transformative period marked by significant achievements and milestones.
Career Highlights at The Atlantic
- CEO since February 2021: Under Thompson's leadership, The Atlantic has seen substantial growth and success. In 2022, the publication won the top honor for magazines, General Excellence, at the National Magazine Awards, and earned a second Pulitzer Prize.
- Subscriber Growth and Profitability: In early 2024, The Atlantic announced it had surpassed one million subscribers, marking a significant turnaround to profitability. This financial stability was achieved through strategies such as the implementation of digital paywalls and enhanced digital subscriptions.
- Revenue Growth: The publication's revenue increased by 35% in 2022, partially due to the digitization of its archive dating back to 1857 and the rapid growth in its subscriber base.
- Recognition and Awards: Under his leadership, The Atlantic has also been named Digiday's Publisher of the Year and has won multiple National Magazine Awards, including three for General Excellence, and three Pulitzer Prizes.
Previous Roles
- Editor-in-Chief at WIRED: Thompson held this role prior to joining The Atlantic. During his tenure, he successfully launched a paywall, significantly increasing digital subscriptions. WIRED won a National Magazine Award for design and photography under his editorial stewardship.
- Editor of Newyorker.com: Managed the digital presence of The New Yorker, leading to a significant increase in monthly readers and the introduction of a metered paywall that greatly boosted new subscriptions.
- Co-Founder of Atavist: A multimedia magazine and software company, which was later acquired by Automattic in 2018.
Educational Background
- Stanford University: Graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors, holding degrees in Earth Systems, Political Science, and Economics. He received a Harry S. Truman Scholarship in 1996, reflecting his early dedication to bridging environmental and business interests.
- High School: Thompson attended Phillips Academy in Andover, known for its rigorous academic program.
Additional Contributions
- Author and Writer: Thompson is the author of "The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War," published in 2009. He has also written extensively on technology, politics, and law, and his features have been influential in public discourse and legislative discussions.
- Music and Running: An avid runner, Thompson set the American record in 2021 for the 50k in the 45-49 age group, and he has released three albums of acoustic guitar music.
- Speaking Engagements: Thompson is an established keynote speaker, regularly discussing technology, digital innovation, media, and politics at major events like the World Economic Forum, CES, and Google Zeitgeist. He has interviewed notable figures such as Geoffrey Hinton, Sam Altman, Joe Biden, and Emmanuel Macron.
Social Media Influence
- LinkedIn Presence: Thompson is a recognized influencer on LinkedIn, being named the fourth most influential person of 2018. He has a substantial following across various social media platforms, enhancing his outreach and engagement with a broad audience.
Boards and Fellowships
- Board Memberships: He serves on the boards of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, and the Friends of the Stanford Daily.
- Senior Fellow: Thompson has been associated with the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation, contributing to policy discussions and strategic initiatives.
Nicholas Thompson’s tenure at The Atlantic has been marked by strategic decisions that have enhanced the publication's market position and financial health. His previous roles and diverse background provide a wealth of experience and vision, making him a prominent figure in the media and technology sectors. All these credentials underline his influential position and readiness to steer The Atlantic to further successes.
