Condé Nast, known for its iconic publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker, is searching for a new CEO. However, according to insiders, a key challenge in attracting talent is the influence of Anna Wintour, a prominent and formidable figure in the company.
Aside from her keen fashion sense, Wintour—who inspired Meryl Streep’s character in “The Devil Wears Prada”—is reportedly as demanding with executives as she is with junior staff. A former executive expressed that the pressure to be agreeable and adaptable might be a necessary trait for any candidate.
For instance, Roger Lynch, who recently left Condé Nast for a position at Mattel, consistently deferred to Wintour during his tenure, promoting her to the role of global chief content officer back in 2000. This move not only expanded her authority within Vogue but also gave her significant influence over Condé’s international operations.
One insider emphasized that any future CEO will need Wintour’s approval for decisions related to Vogue, highlighting her pivotal role. Wintour has been instrumental in transforming Vogue into a multimedia powerhouse, known for events like the annual Vogue World fashion show and its partnership with the Met Gala.
Despite facing criticism for her support of controversial designer John Galliano, who withdrew from his Met Gala exhibit this past August, Wintour continues to be a dominant presence at Condé Nast. A source summarized it succinctly: “Condé Nast has become Vogue, Inc.” with Wintour at the apex of power.
During Lynch’s seven years as CEO, he streamlined Condé Nast to a few main brands—namely “Vogue,” “Wired,” “Vanity Fair,” and “The New Yorker.” He merged several publications, such as Teen Vogue into Vogue and trimmed international operations, leading to a perception that the company has suffered significantly from its previous highly lavish reputation.
Opinions vary on the type of leader who would be suited for the role. A former executive questioned who would want the position, given the company’s current state, suggesting that Lynch’s leadership led to widespread issues that the board neglected to rectify.
Another executive described the business as “a disaster,” with Wintour’s role as a global content gatekeeper complicating the search for a new CEO. She has significant control over editorial strategy and the authority to hire leading editorial figures, although it’s worth noting that The New Yorker operates independently under David Remnick.
Wintour has a reputation for strategically placing her loyal associates in major roles and maintains a close relationship with Steven Newhouse, the chairman of Condé’s parent company, Advance.
As the search for Lynch’s successor begins, Mike Perlis, a board member, has stepped in as interim CEO. Christiane Mack, currently chief content operations officer, is viewed by some as a potential CEO but is met with skepticism due to her perceived lack of business acumen. This has led many insiders to argue that an internal candidate or previous executive might be best suited for the challenging role.
Nick Thompson, the CEO of Atlantic and former editor of Wired, has been mentioned as another strong candidate. A former executive hinted at his good rapport with Wintour as an advantage. Other names in the conversation include Pam Drucker Mann, a former chief revenue officer, and Dawn Ostroff, ex-head of Condé Nast Entertainment.
There is also speculation about appointing outside candidates, including Keith Grossman of MoonPay and Jen Wong, COO of Reddit. However, many insiders feel these candidates may be unlikely due to their current successful positions.
Interestingly, one source suggested the company might consider candidates from the beauty industry, as they’ve successfully adapted to influencer marketing and social media strategies. There’s a general consensus on the need for someone with a bold vision—one who can revive and re-energize the struggling company without deepening the cuts.
Condé Nast has not publicly commented on the situation.
