View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
November 27, 2018updated 30 Sep 2022 7:10am

Conde Nast chief executive Bob Sauerberg to step down as Vogue publisher combines US and international arms

By James Walker

Conde Nast chief executive Bob Sauerberg will step down to make way for a new global chief as part of a major restructure.

The reorganisation of the Vanity Fair, Vogue and New Yorker publisher will see the US business merge with Conde Nast International into one company.

Conde Nast International chief executive Jonathan Newhouse will also leave his role but remain with the business as chairman of the board of directors.

In a statement, Newhouse and Steve Newhouse, chairman of Conde Nast parent company Advance Publication’s digital arm, announced a search has begun for a chief executive “with global experience” to lead the new combined Conde Nast.

They said: “Over the past year, Conde Nast and Conde Nast International have been working together more closely than ever to refine growth strategies, accelerate innovation and develop the right organisational structures to ensure the company’s success in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

“Our brands have worldwide influence and impact, and our business is increasingly becoming more global, and we are organising the company to reflect that.

“To realise the full potential of Conde Nast – for our audiences and our business partners – the time is right for the US and International companies to truly function as one company.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The statement confirmed that Sauerberg (pictured) will leave his post as the company’s US chief executive “to pursue other opportunities” after a transition period.

Sauerberg was promoted to chief executive in 2016 and revealed his five-year plan for the company only in August this year.

Other members of senior operating management teams, including Wolfgang Blau as president of the international division, will remain in their positions.

London-based Blau denied on Twitter that he planned to move to New York or apply for the new global chief executive role.

He said: “I am happy with what I am doing here and thankful for the opportunity to support our global growth and the future global CEO from here in London.”

Blau also said: “Today is a big day in our evolution as a truly global publishing and media company. We will build on the great work done by Bob Sauerberg in the US and by so many other brilliant Condé Nast teams in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.”

Picture: Steve Marcus/Reuters

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network