If Condé Nast was a kingdom, CEO Chuck Townsend was its king. But on Sunday evening, the major publishing house announced its leader is retiring in early 2016, handing over the baton of leadership to current president, Bob Sauerberg.
The movement is the latest in a series of changes made by the company as it transitions from traditional print to the digital world. Townsend is adamant he will be part of this journey, and continue his 22-year relationship with the company, albeit as Chairman of the board.
Few were surprised by the announcement of Sauerberg’s appointment.
Townsend told Condé Nast staff of the changes: “We have had the privilege of beginning the company’s critical transition from the world’s most prominent magazine publisher, to a multiplatform media company during my later years as CEO, and Bob has always been right at my side, leading the way into digital audience and revenue growth, while celebrating our remarkable accomplishments in magazine publishing, journalism and revenue generation.”
