Athan Stephanopoulos is stepping down as govt vice chairman and chief digital officer of CNN, as CEO Mark Thompson focuses on a brand new construction for the community.
Stephanopoulos joined the community in fall 2022 below then-CEO Chris Licht.
In an announcement despatched to workers, Stephanopoulos mentioned, “In my discussions with Mark since his arrival, there was a lot we agreed on, particularly that modern prime quality digital information providers could be more and more vital for CNN’s future success. However it additionally turned clear that Mark had his personal imaginative and prescient of how he needed digital operations to be organized. As a way to give him the freest hand attainable to construction and form the group shifting ahead, I felt that now was the perfect time for me to step again from my position and transfer on to a brand new chapter.”
Thompson mentioned that Stephanopoulos would stay on the community by means of the tip of the month throughout a transition interval. The CNN CEO, who began final fall, quickly plans to stipulate his imaginative and prescient for the community and his plans for structuring the group. Puck Information first reported on Stephanopoulos’ exit.
Thompson’s full memo is beneath:
January 3, 2024
Expensive all –
I’ve information to share with you immediately: Athan Stephanopoulos has determined to step down as EVP and Chief Digital Officer of CNN.
Since his arrival, Athan has been a powerful and succesful chief of our digital group and a collaborative colleague throughout the group. I do know that everybody who’s labored alongside him at CNN will wish to be part of me in thanking him for every little thing he’s executed for us and to want him each success in his subsequent chapter.
Athan needed to precise the next: “In my discussions with Mark since his arrival, there was a lot we agreed on, particularly that modern prime quality digital information providers could be more and more vital for CNN’s future success. However it additionally turned clear that Mark had his personal imaginative and prescient of how he needed digital operations to be organized. As a way to give him the freest hand attainable to construction and form the group shifting ahead, I felt that now was the perfect time for me to step again from my position and transfer on to a brand new chapter. I sincerely want CNN and every of you nice success within the path forward.”
As we transition, Athan will proceed on by means of the tip of the month. Please be part of me in thanking him once more for all his onerous work and dedication to CNN.
Mark
