William Lewis will start his position at WaPo on January 2, 2024
The Washington Post has a new CEO. Journalist turned media executive William Lewis will take the helm of the Jeff Bezos-owned daily newspaper amid dwindling subscribers and missed revenue goals.
The 145-year-old news organization gained 3 million digital subscribers during the Trump presidential era but has lost 500,000 since. The New York Times reported WaPo is on track to lose $100 million this year.
Lewis, whose previous experiences involve leading the Wall Street Journal parent Dow Jones, The Daily Telegraph, and a decade-long tenure working for Rupert Murdoch at News Corp, is expected to make WaPo profitable.
Amazon founder Bezos bought the news publication in 2013. In a staff memo announcing the new CEO, he said, “As I’ve gotten to know Will, I’ve been drawn to his love for journalism and passion for driving financial success.”
Lewis will take over from interim CEO Patty Stonesifer, who replaced nine-year WaPo CEO Fred Ryan in August.