Nicholas Thompson

Nicholas Thompson
Name	Nicholas Thompson
Alma mater	Stanford University
Occupation	Editor-in-chief, Chief executive officer
Known for	The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Wired

Nicholas Thompson is an American editor-in-chief and chief executive officer known for his leadership in modern journalism and digital media. He has held prominent editorial roles at major publications including Wired, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic. His career is marked by a focus on the intersection of technology, culture, and public policy, significantly shaping the editorial direction of these influential institutions.

Early life and education

Thompson was raised in New York City and is the grandson of renowned Cold War historian and diplomat George F. Kennan. He attended Stanford University, where he earned a degree in history. His academic background and family lineage provided a strong foundation in international relations and historical analysis, which later informed his journalistic perspective on geopolitics and innovation.

Career

His early career included work as a contributing editor at Newsweek and as a senior editor at Legal Affairs magazine. Thompson also served as a fellow at the New America Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, where he researched technology policy. He later became a senior editor at Wired, where he began to establish his reputation for covering the impact of Silicon Valley on global society. During this period, he frequently wrote about companies like Google and Apple and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

The Atlantic and The New Yorker

In 2011, Thompson joined The Atlantic as a senior editor, focusing on technology and business coverage. He played a key role in expanding the magazine's digital footprint and its coverage of the technology industry. He left in 2017 to become the editor of NewYorker.com, the digital arm of The New Yorker. In this role, he oversaw a significant expansion of the publication's online presence, commissioning work from prominent writers and journalists while navigating the challenges of the modern media landscape.

The CEO of The Atlantic

In 2021, Thompson was appointed chief executive officer of The Atlantic, returning to the publication in its top leadership role. As CEO, he has been responsible for the overall strategy, business operations, and financial health of the storied magazine, which is owned by Emerson Collective. His tenure has focused on strengthening its subscription model, investing in investigative journalism, and expanding its audience through initiatives like the Atlantic Festival and various podcast networks.

Other ventures and media appearances

Beyond his executive roles, Thompson is a co-founder of the digital media company The Atavist Magazine. He is a frequent commentator on technology and media, appearing on networks such as CNN, MSNBC, and CBS News. He has also been a featured speaker at events like the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Code Conference, and his writing has appeared in publications like The Washington Post and The New York Times.

Personal life

Thompson is married and has children. He maintains a residence in Brooklyn, New York City. An avid runner, he has completed the Boston Marathon and other long-distance races. His personal interests often intersect with his professional focus on technology and human performance.

Category:American magazine editors Category:American businesspeople Category:Stanford University alumni