M. Scott Havens

M. Scott Havens is an American media executive renowned for his transformative leadership in digital publishing and subscription strategy. He served as the President of The Atlantic, where he oversaw a period of significant revenue growth and digital expansion for the historic publication. Havens has held senior roles at major media companies including Time Inc., Bloomberg L.P., and Sports Illustrated, specializing in building sustainable digital business models. His career is defined by leveraging data-driven insights to guide editorial brands through the evolving landscape of modern journalism.

Early life and education

M. Scott Havens was raised in Denver, Colorado. He pursued his higher education at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he graduated with a degree in Economics. His academic background in economics provided a foundational framework for his later career focus on business strategy and monetization within the media industry. Following his studies, Havens began his professional journey in the San Francisco Bay Area, initially working in roles that blended technology and finance.

Career

Havens' early career included a tenure at the investment firm Thomas Weisel Partners in San Francisco. He entered the media world at Time Inc., where he held several positions, contributing to the digital strategy for titles like Fortune and Money. In 2010, he joined Bloomberg L.P. as Global Head of Digital, playing a key role in expanding the reach of Bloomberg News and its digital products. He later served as Senior Vice President of Digital for the Sports Illustrated Group, navigating the challenges of the sports media market. Before joining The Atlantic, Havens was the Chief Executive Officer of the digital media startup Floored Inc., a 3D modeling technology company later acquired by Vox Media.

Leadership at The Atlantic

Havens was appointed President of The Atlantic in February 2022, succeeding Bob Cohn. During his tenure, he was responsible for all business operations, including advertising, subscriptions, live events, and corporate strategy. He worked closely with editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg and chairman David G. Bradley to steer the publication's financial future. A central achievement was the dramatic growth of the Atlantic's subscription business, which surpassed one million subscribers under his leadership. Havens also oversaw the expansion of the Atlantic Media live events portfolio, including the prominent Atlantic Festival in Washington, D.C.. He departed the role in late 2023, with Nicholas Thompson, former CEO of The Atlantic, announced as his successor.

Digital media strategy

Throughout his career, Havens has been recognized as a pioneer in digital media strategy, particularly in developing direct-to-consumer revenue models. At The Atlantic, he championed a "reader-first" approach, prioritizing subscription revenue over traditional advertising reliance, a model also employed by outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. His expertise includes leveraging data analytics for audience engagement and optimizing paywall strategies. Havens has been a frequent speaker on the future of journalism at industry forums, including events hosted by the American Society of News Editors and Digital Content Next. His strategies often emphasize the financial sustainability of high-quality, long-form journalism in the digital age.

Personal life

M. Scott Havens maintains a relatively private personal life. He is married and has children, residing primarily in the New York metropolitan area. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys skiing and hiking, interests rooted in his upbringing in Colorado. Havens has served on the advisory board for the University of Colorado Boulder's College of Media, Communication and Information, contributing to the next generation of media professionals.

Category:American media executives Category:University of Colorado Boulder alumni Category:The Atlantic people