NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chris Stone has been appointed Editorial Director for Time Inc.’s (NYSE:TIME) Sports Illustrated (SI), Golf and SI Kids, it was announced today by Rich Battista, President, Time Inc. Entertainment & Sports Group and Video. In this new role, Stone will oversee all editorial content and operations on a cross-platform basis for the three brands. He is one of the industry’s most talented and dynamic editors, emblematic of the future in media.
“It is exciting to have Chris take the reins of Time Inc.’s sports brands at this time,” said Battista. “He brings great vision to the nexus of content and the digital, social, video and experiential ecosystem. He offers a fresh perspective, and the ambition to experiment and innovate at a time when we are transforming these iconic brands into true multimedia, multi-platform businesses."
“Chris has done a remarkable job as SI’s Managing Editor, nurturing many of Time Inc.’s best writers for the benefit of SI’s readers,” said Norm Pearlstine, Time Inc. Chief Content Officer. “I am confident Chris is more than ready to take on additional responsibility and authority.”
“We have the talent and resources to marry the best of our storytelling with a future built on the desire to be strategically bold, as we create the newest, most imaginative and original content experiences across platforms,” said Stone. “In the coming months, we are going to roll out a series of initiatives, experiences and events that will be game-changers for our loyal consumers, while also attracting new audiences to our brands. I'm excited to have a place in shaping this future."
Stone takes on this role after nearly four years as SI’s Managing Editor where he worked closely with former SI Group Editor Paul Fichtenbaum, who after more than 26 years with the company, decided to step down.
While Managing Editor, Stone instituted a new approach to cross-platform content. This vision led to the creation of marquee franchises -- TheMMQB.com, SI Films, Planet Futbol and new lifestyle verticals SI Edge and Fashionable 50, among others. He has been very progressive in his approach to working with marketers by bringing their stories to life organically, told with an authentic voice for the SI consumer. This is the underpinning of a burgeoning sports-focused branded content group. He also played a pivotal role in the expansion of the SI’s core franchises. He guided SI Swimsuit from an annual print edition into a cross-platform cultural juggernaut reaching 70 million U.S. adults via an array of platforms and channels as well as Sportsperson of the Year, one of the most respected awards in sports, which now features a year-end, star-studded celebration honoring generations of sports and humanitarian achievements.
He also spearheaded the infusion of new multi-skilled editorial talent into the organization. While doing so, he oversaw many transcendent journalistic coups such as exclusives with LeBron James, Jason Collins and Michael Phelps and SI's uncovering of Alex Rodriguez’s positive steroids tests – a watershed moment for the brand. Since joining SI in 1992 and prior to his managing editor role, he oversaw virtually every major sports beat, editing acclaimed journalists such as Tom Verducci, Lee Jenkins and Jack McCallum.
ABOUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Time Inc.’s Sports Illustrated is the preeminent journalistic enterprise covering the world of sports both on and off the field. Debuting in 1954, SI has garnered worldwide acclaim for its award-winning storytelling born from an independent voice and unparalleled access to the most popular athletes and newsmakers from the sports world. This is the underpinning of the franchise, which now boasts a group of best-in-class consumer products and platforms reaching more than 73 million. The Sports Illustrated Group features the most-read sports magazine, a top 10 sports digital network and marquee franchises—Sports Illustrated Films, TheMMQB.com, the FanSided Network of websites, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Sportsperson of the Year, the SI Golf Group (Golf magazine, Golf.com, SI Golf +), Extra Mustard and Sports Illustrated Kids. For more information, visit SI.com and follow @SINow on Twitter and @SportsIllustrated on Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT TIME INC.
Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is one of the world's leading media companies, with a monthly global print audience of over 120 million and worldwide digital properties that attract more than 150 million visitors each month, including over 60 websites. Our influential brands include People, Sports Illustrated, InStyle, Time, Real Simple and Southern Living, as well as more than 50 diverse titles in the United Kingdom.
