Key Executives is pleased to announce The Top 25 Media Executives of 2024. As the media and entertainment industry moves toward a projected $3.4 trillion by 2028, these leaders are at the forefront of this transformation. With a keen focus on audience engagement and content diversification, this year’s awardees have demonstrated a remarkable ability to innovate and adapt in an industry marked by rapid change and technological advancement.
These executives are not just keeping pace; they are setting the standard across all media sectors. By embracing creativity and technology, they have broadened their companies' influence across broadcasting, publishing, digital platforms, and beyond. Their work underscores the media's vital role in shaping public discourse, fostering community engagement, and redefining how audiences experience content in an increasingly interconnected world.
Among this year’s awardees, Daniel Seah, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Domain, is a renowned business leader celebrated for his advancements in the company's visual effects business and technology. He is especially acknowledged for leading the pioneering work in developing state-of-the-art autonomous virtual human technology. Roger Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Condé Nast, stands out for his strategic leadership in expanding the global influence of iconic media brands through digital innovation and cross-platform content strategies. David Lane, CEO of Sports Illustrated Tickets, has made significant strides in transforming the live events industry by introducing a fan-first ticketing marketplace and integrating blockchain-powered solutions for enhanced transparency.
This year’s awardees were selected through a methodical nomination process and careful consideration of each candidate’s career track record and industry contributions. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Media Executives of 2024.
1. Roger Lynch
Chief Executive Officer, Condé Nast
Roger Lynch is the Chief Executive Officer of Condé Nast, a global media company reaching over one billion consumers across 30 markets through its print, digital, video, and social platforms. Its portfolio includes well-known media properties such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Self, GQ, The New Yorker, Condé Nast Traveler/Traveller, Allure, Architectural Digest, Bon Appétit, Wired, W, and Brides, among others.
Before being appointed CEO in 2019, he served as President and CEO of Pandora, the largest music streaming service in the U.S. Earlier in his career, Lynch was the founding CEO of Sling TV. He also served in Europe as Chairman and CEO of Video Networks International, Ltd., an IPTV technology company, and as President and CEO of Chello Broadband N.V.
Lynch currently serves on the Board of Directors of Condé Nast, Mattel, Inc., LLC and the Partnership for New York City. He is also a member of the Board of Overseers of the Tuck School at Dartmouth College and the Board of Councilors of the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California. He received his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Southern California.
2. Adam Symson
President and Chief Executive Officer, The E.W. Scripps Company
Adam Symson is President and Chief Executive Officer of The E.W. Scripps Company. Under his leadership, Scripps has evolved from its origins as a newspaper company, founded in 1878, into a diversified media enterprise with journalism and entertainment brands that have a nationwide presence. He engineered the acquisition of ION Media in 2021, spurring the creation of a new Scripps Networks national broadcast television network division.
Symson has overseen the expansion of Scripps’ local television station holdings and successfully divested digital audio assets for a significant return on investment. He appointed the company’s first Chief Diversity Officer in 2018 and has been a champion of diversity and inclusion on the company board and in its workforce. Prior to becoming CEO, Symson was Scripps’ Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the company’s broadcast TV, radio and digital media divisions.
Symson also has served as Chief Digital Officer and Head of Operations for Content and Revenue for the TV division’s interactive businesses and Director of Content and Marketing for the Scripps interactive media division. Previously, Symson was an executive producer at KNXV-TV and before that an investigative producer at KCBS TV. Earlier in his career he worked with KGIL AM 1260 as a producer. Symson earned an undergraduate degree in communications from UCLA.
3. Daniel Seah
Chief Executive Officer, Digital Domain
Daniel Seah is the Chief Executive Officer of Digital Domain, where he oversees the company’s operations in visual effects (VFX) and immersive experiences. During his tenure, Digital Domain has developed advanced technologies like Virtual Human, which have been used in films such as Avengers: Infinity War, Ready Player One, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
In 2018, Seah launched the Digital Human Research Lab, a dedicated division focused on advancing AI-driven digital human technology, further cementing Digital Domain's role as an industry pioneer. In addition to his role as CEO, Seah serves as Chairman of Digital Domain's Board of Directors, shaping the company's vision and innovation trajectory.
Seah's career began at Barclays Bank, where he developed expertise in securities, fund management, and global enterprise growth. He holds a bachelor’s degree and master's degree in law from Peking University.
4. David Lane
Chief Executive Officer, Sports Illustrated Tickets
David Lane, CEO of Sports Illustrated Tickets, has made significant strides in transforming the live events industry by introducing a fan-first ticketing marketplace and integrating blockchain-powered solutions for enhanced transparency. By eliminating 30-40% fees at checkout, Lane seeks to attract customers looking for a more customer-focused experience.
Sports Illustrated Tickets expanded its capabilities by developing Box Office, a blockchain-powered primary ticketing platform. It integrates NFT ticketing for events of all sizes, offering visibility and pairing with traditional tickets for major sports, concert, and theater events on the SITickets.com marketplace. The company accelerates growth through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, including the NFL, Kraft Sports + Entertainment, the Big 12 Conference, and the Cincinnati Bengals.
5. Caroline Beasley
Chief Executive Officer, Beasley Broadcast Group
Caroline Beasley serves as Chief Executive Officer of Beasley Media Group and is the Chair of the company’s Board of Directors. Beasley Broadcast Group is a multi-platform media company whose primary business is operating radio stations throughout the United States. The company offers local and national advertisers integrated marketing solutions across audio, digital, and event platforms.
Beasley is the past Chair of the BMI Board of Directors, is a member of the Federal Communications Committee Diversity and Inclusion Committee, is a former Joint Board Chair of the National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors, and is a past Chairman of the NAB Radio Board. In addition, she currently serves as a member of the Broadcasters Foundation of America Board of Directors and the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation. Beasley earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina.
6. Bob Proffitt
President and Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Media
Bob Proffitt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Media. He first joined Alpha Broadcasting in 2009 as a part-owner, managing six radio stations in Portland, Oregon. Proffitt served as President and Chief Operating Officer until 2013, when L&L Broadcasting was formed. As President and CEO of L&L, Proffitt oversaw the acquisition of 62 additional stations in eight markets over a 12 month period.
In July 2014, Alpha Broadcasting and L&L Broadcasting merged to become Alpha Media LLC, where Proffitt continues to lead the company. Today, Alpha Media owns or operates over 200 live broadcast radio stations in 44 markets across the United States and extends its audio products across various platforms, including smart devices. Prior to Alpha Broadcasting, Proffitt was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Citadel Broadcasting Corporation.
7. Bryan Goldberg
CEO, Bustle Digital Group
Bryan Goldberg is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BDG. Established in 2013, BDG is a global media company with a portfolio of digital and experiential brands known for their focus on culture and storytelling. The company currently reaches over 223 million readers and social media followers, working with a wide range of advertisers worldwide.
Under his leadership, BDG has experienced rapid growth through its aggressive acquisition strategy, growing its collection of brands across lifestyle, technology, parenting, fashion, and more. The company now reaches over 215 million readers and social media followers, working with numerous major advertisers worldwide.
Prior to BDG, Goldberg founded Bleacher Report, the nation's largest digital sports media company, which was bought by Time Warner in 2012. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Middlebury College.
8. Bonnie Kintzer
Chief Executive Officer and Chairwoman, Trusted Media Brands
Bonnie Kintzer is the Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Trusted Media Brands, a leading media company that reaches hundreds of millions of global viewers, readers, and consumers through its portfolio of media properties including FailArmy, The Pet Collective, Taste of Home, Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest, and People are Awesome. Kintzer has led a bold transformation of the company as part of a broader growth strategy to transform the business into a digital-first, multi-platform media company with a portfolio of brands consumers trust.
Under Kintzer’s leadership, the organization has doubled its digital reach and launched new direct-to-consumer products such as MyDiyUniversity.com, Taste of Home’s Cookware and Bakeware, and Special Delivery subscription boxes. Kintzer continued the company’s drive for growth and an increased video footprint by acquiring Jukin Media, a leading digital entertainment company, adding engaged audiences across the pets, humor, and active lifestyle verticals, reaching nearly 220 million social media users and delivering more than two billion minutes of monthly video viewership across streaming TV and social media.
Prior to joining Trusted Media Brands, Kintzer was Chief Executive Officer for Women’s Marketing Inc. Kintzer returned to Trusted Media Brands having previously served a nine-year tenure with Reader’s Digest Association, where she held several executive positions and was responsible for a number of the company’s largest publishing and digital properties. Kintzer holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree from Clark University. She is Chairperson of the Reader’s Digest Foundation and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Thryv and SilverSpac.
9. Phil Schraeder
Chief Executive Officer, GumGum
Phil Schraeder is the Chief Executive Officer of GumGum, a leading contextual intelligence company. As CEO, Schraeder oversees GumGum's development of privacy-first technologies that focus on understanding consumer mindsets rather than relying on personal data. He is dedicated to improving advertising experiences by promoting mindset-focused, privacy-forward solutions in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Schraeder previously served as the company’s President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. In those roles, he developed the management, revenue, planning, accounting, controls and human resources infrastructures that supported the company’s rapid expansion and growth. Prior to joining GumGum, Schraeder served in various finance and accounting based roles at companies like Verifi, RealD, New Regency Entertainment, and KPMG. Schraeder graduated from Northern Illinois University with an undergraduate degree in accountancy.
10. Jim Goodmon
Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Capitol Broadcasting Company
James Fletcher “Jim” Goodmon is the Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Capitol Broadcasting Company, a media, real estate, and sports organization. Goodmon learned the business of broadcasting from his grandfather A.J. Fletcher—founder of Capitol Broadcasting Company.
Previously, Goodmon served as Operations Manager at WRAL-TV. In 1973, he took on corporate responsibilities as Executive Vice President of Capitol Broadcasting Company. He became the company’s President in 1975 and was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 1979, a role he held until September 2017. During the 2017 transition, his son Jimmy succeeded him as President, while Jim continued as CEO and was elected Chairman of the CBC Board of Directors.
11. Jon Litner
Chief Executive Officer, Yes Network
Jon Litner is the Chief Executive Officer of Yes Network, a regional sports network that has held the title of most-watched in the country for 18 of the last 21 years. Yes Network owns the exclusive regional media rights to the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Nets. Litner brings 33 years of experience to his role.
Before joining Yes Network, Litner was a Group President at NBC Sports Group and before that a President at Comcast Sports Group and VERSUS. Earlier in his career he worked with ABC Sports in legal and business affairs. Litner graduated from Cornell Law School with a JD and from Yale University with an undergraduate degree in history.
12. Emily Paquette
Chief Executive Officer, Inman News
Emily Paquette is the Chief Executive Officer of Inman News, a real estate news organization that provides industry professionals with news, analysis, and insights into the real estate market. Founded in 1996, Inman covers a broad range of topics, including residential real estate, technology, marketing, and industry trends.
Emily has spent the last decade building deep relationships in the real estate industry and growing a powerful, modern sales operation at Inman. She began her career in real estate, working in residential and commercial firms in the Bay area.
Emily has held various senior leadership roles at Inman, including her previous position as Chief Revenue Officer. In 2014, she led the launch of Inman’s subscription arm, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth. In 2022, Emily played a pivotal role as part of the management team that successfully executed the sale of Inman to Beringer Capital.
13. David Ellison
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Skydance Media
David Ellison is Chief Executive Officer of Skydance Media, a media company he founded in 2010 to create entertainment for global audiences. As CEO, he sets and executes the strategic vision for the company across all its divisions: feature film, television, animation, games, and sports.
Ellison manages Skydance’s diverse film slate, which includes recent releases like Top Gun: Maverick, The Family Plan, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. Under his leadership, Skydance has produced numerous blockbuster and critically acclaimed films. In 2022, Skydance signed a multi-year agreement with Apple to develop and produce live-action films for Apple TV+.
14. Yousef Javadi
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder, LTN
Yousef Javadi is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-Founder of LTN, a media technology company that provides integrated solutions for broadcasters and digital content companies. LTN's ecosystem offers services for content creation, distribution, and monetization, helping clients manage and scale their media operations efficiently. Javadi is an accomplished leader in the telecom, networking, and IP tech spaces, with more than 40 years experience establishing, acquiring, and growing global B2B and B2C businesses.
Prior to co-founding LTN, Javadi held several senior executive positions, including President of Sprint International, President of Primus Telecom, and Head of Global Services at MCI. Javadi graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a master’s degree and undergraduate degree in engineering.
15. Ashwin Navin
Co-Founder and CEO, Samba TV
Ashwin Navin is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Samba TV, a provider of omniscreen measurement based on first-party viewership data from 46 million devices worldwide. Samba TV's technology is integrated at the chipset level in 24 of the top Smart TV brands globally, analyzing content on the screens of opted-in TVs in real-time. This data provides insights into viewing behaviors, supporting a data-driven approach to advertising and content delivery.
Navin is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of leadership expertise and a deep understanding of starting and scaling successful startups in the media technology industry. Previously, he was Co-Founder and President of BitTorrent, Inc. before leaving to launch Samba TV in 2008. Navin graduated from Claremont McKenna College with an undergraduate degree in economics and government.
16. Dan Cogan
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Story Syndicate
Dan Cogan is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Story Syndicate, a New York-based film and television production company devoted to premium nonfiction and scripted content. Founded in 2019 alongside fellow filmmaker Liz Garbus, Story Syndicate aims to provide a home for talented filmmakers, producers, journalists, thinkers, and artists to create innovative, ambitious, and elevated visual content.
Previously, Dan was the founding Executive Director of Impact Partners. He has produced more than 150 films and series, including Icarus, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, The Cove, The Apollo, and Harry & Meghan, which set Netflix documentary viewership records.
17. Guy Oranim
CEO and Co-Founder, First Media
Guy Oranim is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Media, a social media publisher focused on lifestyle content for millennial women. First Media's brands, including Blossom, So Yummy, Blusher, and BabyFirst, have garnered over 160 million followers across social media platforms and more than 50 billion organic video views. In addition to its digital presence, First Media operates two linear TV networks, reaching over 90 million homes in the U.S.
As Chief Executive Officer of First Media, Oranim is responsible for conceptualizing its different brands, leveraging growth, and raising funds for the company. Under Oranim’s leadership, First Media has become the most viral video publisher on Facebook. First Media clients include some of the biggest companies in the world, such as Walmart, Pepsi, Unilever, SONY, Kroger, Bed, Bath and Beyond, among others.
Before co-founding First Media, Guy Oranim led strategic planning at BBDO (IL), working with various international brands such as Nestle, Volvo, Pfizer, and Kimberly-Clark to develop their strategies. Oranim graduated from Tel Aviv University with an MBA and an LLB in law.
18. Morgan DeBaun
Founder, Chairman and CEO, Blavity
Morgan DeBaun is the Founder and CEO of Blavity Inc. Since its start in 2014, she has led the company to serve multicultural consumers through a range of brands, including AfroTech, Travel Noire, and Shadow and Act. Blavity Inc. creates media and product solutions for Black consumers and enterprises looking to engage with this audience. Its business division, AfroTech, provides a professional network and talent acquisition platform for major companies. DeBaun graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
19. Jason Wulfsohn
CEO and Co-Founder, AUDIENCEX
Jason Wulfsohn is the CEO and Co-founder of AUDIENCEX, a global performance marketing and advertising technology group that combines proprietary technology, privacy-safe data, omnichannel media access, and tech-focused creative to drive performance outcomes for agencies and brands.
Since 2013, AUDIENCEX has worked with marketers across various industries to reach their target consumers with precision and personalization throughout the conversion funnel. In the past two years, AUDIENCEX has focused on building a tech stack that incorporates data science and predictive analytics tools to help marketers better understand and engage their customers.
Prior to his work at AUDIENCEX, Wulfsohn founded and led multiple other content and media companies, including ONE/x. Wulfsohn is also experienced in the healthcare technology space, as co-founder at an emerging multi-omics diagnostics company that is improving patient outcomes by disrupting the predictive analytics space. He also acts as an advisor to non-profits both in the U.S. and internationally. Wulfsohn holds an MFA from the University of Southern California in film and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Cambridge.
20. Caroline Harrison
Chief Executive Officer, Advance Local
Caroline Harrison is the Chief Executive Officer of Advance Local, which owns and operates businesses spanning media, marketing, software and data solutions. Advance Local is one of the largest media groups in the United States, managing news and information outlets in more than 20 cities and reaching over 52 million people monthly.
Harrison began her career at the company as a college intern reporter at the Staten Island Advance. After graduation, she joined the New Orleans Times-Picayune as an Executive in Training and later worked at the Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She returned to Advance in 1999 as General Manager and was named Publisher in 2004. Harrison also held a senior leadership role at Advance Central Services and became President of Advance Local in January 2018. Harrison holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College.
21. Keith Valory
Chief Executive Officer, Plex
Keith Valory is the Chief Executive Officer of Plex, an independent video-on-demand and streaming media platform, with hundreds of live TV channels and thousands of on-demand movies and TV episodes, available globally in 193 countries. Valory has nearly two decades of experience in executive and founding member positions spanning several industries.
Prior to Plex, Valory was COO of Bracket Computing (acquired by VMware) where he was responsible for corporate strategy and all business operations, including finance, business development, legal, operations, human resources, and information technology. Previously Valory spent five years at Cisco in various executive positions, including running strategy and operations for the $2 billion Security Group.
Valory also served as Vice President of Corporate Development and General Counsel at IronPort Systems, Inc., which was acquired by Cisco in 2007. Valory started his technology career as an associate at Venture Law Group where he represented technology companies on venture financing, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, licensing transactions and regulatory compliance. Valory graduated from Santa Clara University with a JD and MBA in finance and economics and from the University of California, Santa Cruz with an undergraduate degree in economics.
22. Gaugarin Oliver
Co-Founder and CEO, Fullintel
Gaugarin Oliver is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fullintel, a media monitoring and intelligence company that provides PR and communications professionals with the insights needed to navigate the media landscape. With 28 years of experience in offering information solutions for corporate executives, Oliver oversees Fullintel's approach to combining technology with human analysis to deliver relevant and actionable media intelligence services.
Oliver previously served as the Global Head of Public Relations Services at NASDAQ OMX. Before that, he was Vice President of Public Relations Services for Thomson Reuters following its acquisition of MyMediaInfo (RedEgg Solutions), a company he co-founded and led as CEO. He also held the position of Vice President at Cymfony (now part of Cision), a media intelligence platform using natural language processing.
In addition to his role at Fullintel, Oliver is the Chairman of CapeStart, which provides offshore product development and analysis services. His startup experience includes work with Mobixell, Lojalis, UltiVerse, and Voice Control Systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Government College of Technology in India, a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
23. Barbara Spicek
Chief Executive Officer, Gatesair
Barbara Spicek is the Chief Executive Officer of GatesAir, a media company specializing in over-the-air broadcast solutions for radio and television. GatesAir provides complete broadcasting solutions, using wireless spectrum to optimize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Spicek leverages over 20 years of broadcast technology and software experience to drive GatesAir's innovation and excellence in wireless over-the-air solutions.
Previously, Spicek served as President and General Manager at NewTek, part of the Vizrt Group. Prior to that she held positions as SVP of Channels and Ecosystem at Veritas and Global VP of Sales at Gigamon. She also served as EVP of Global Sales at Nexan Storage Solutions, preceded by 13 years of senior sales and marketing roles at Brocade Communications, including VP of Global Sales and Marketing. Spicek holds a business degree for foreign language from the Chamber of Commerce for English and French, and a Certificate of Proficiency from the University of Cambridge.
24. Steven Swartz
President and Chief Executive Officer, Hearst Media Production Group
Steven R. Swartz is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hearst, one of the largest global information, services, and media companies. With over 20 years at Hearst and previous experience as its Chief Operating Officer, Swartz is also a member of the Hearst board of directors, a trustee of the Hearst Family Trust, and a director of the Hearst Foundations.
Swartz previously served as President of Hearst Newspapers and as Executive Vice President before that. He was the founding editor and later President and Chief Executive of SmartMoney, a magazine venture launched by Hearst and The Wall Street Journal. Swartz began his career as a reporter with The Wall Street Journal and later worked as an editor on the Journal’s Page One staff. He holds an undergraduate degree in American government and politics from Harvard University.
25. Justin Wineburgh
President and Chief Executive Officer, Alkemy X
Justin Wineburgh is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Alkemy X. Under his leadership, the company has expanded from a local post-production studio into a media and entertainment firm with expertise across various sectors of the industry. Alkemy X works on projects ranging from Emmy-winning series on streaming platforms to branded content that connects viewers with consumers and influencers. Since its founding in 1981, Alkemy X has served as a creative partner for major names in film, television, agencies, and brands.
Wineburgh began his career as an attorney, eventually becoming a partner at the firm. During his 16 years there, he established and led its global media and entertainment practice, representing clients across various sectors of the industry. In his practice, he served as Alkemy X’s outside General Counsel, before being asked to take over the role of President and CEO. Wineburgh earned a JD in law from Widener University Schools of Law and an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Lafayette College.