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After Leaving NBC News, Chris Berend Is Joining Hearst Magazines as Content Chief
Chris Berend is leaving NBCUniversal News Group to become Hearst Magazines' first chief content and experience officer, a newly created role focused on shaping editorial strategy and content across Hearst's stable of titles. The appointment marks a notable executive shift as Hearst brings in an experienced digital media leader to oversee output across its major brands amid continued industry pressure to modernise content and audience engagement.
Berend will start on 3 August, based in New York, and will report to Hearst Magazines president Debi Chirichella. He will oversee editorial strategy, content creation and programming across all platforms for titles including Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping. He was most recently chief digital officer at NBCUniversal News Group, having joined in 2019 from CNN, and earlier held digital roles at Bloomberg and ESPN Magazine; notably, he began his media career as an editor at Hearst's own Esquire.
In short
- Chris Berend leaves NBCUniversal for new Hearst Magazines content chief role.
- Starts 3 August, overseeing Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire and other titles.
- Previously at NBCU, CNN, Bloomberg and ESPN Magazine; started career at Esquire.
Explained simply
Hearst Magazines, one of the world's largest publishers, has appointed a new chief content and experience officer to oversee editorial strategy across its portfolio. The move reflects the company's effort to strengthen its digital presence as media organisations face ongoing pressure to modernise and engage audiences in a shifting landscape.
Chris Berend, who is taking on the newly created role, comes from NBCUniversal News Group, where he most recently served as chief digital officer. He brings extensive experience in digital media leadership from previous positions at CNN, Bloomberg and ESPN Magazine, and notably began his career as an editor at Hearst's own Esquire.
Berend will oversee editorial strategy, content creation and programming across all platforms for Hearst's major titles, including Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping. He will be based in New York and report to Hearst Magazines' president.
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