CNN Chief Digital Officer Athan Stephanopoulos Exits as Mark Thompson Mulls New Structure – Hollywood Reporter

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Stephanopoulos was hired to lead CNN’s digital efforts in Oct. 2022.
By Alex Weprin
Media & Business Writer
New CNN CEO Mark Thompson is contemplating a new structure and vision for CNN, and that will include a rethink of the news organization’s digital strategy.
To that end, Thompson told employees Wednesday morning that CNN executive VP and chief digital officer Athan Stephanopoulos will leave the company at the end of January.
“Since his arrival, Athan has been a strong and capable leader of our digital team and a collaborative colleague across the organization,” Thompson wrote. “I know that everyone who’s worked alongside him at CNN will want to join me in thanking him for everything he’s done for us and to wish him every success in his next chapter.”
Stephanopoulos joined CNN in Oct. 2022, filling a role that had been a priority for then-CEO Chris Licht. He was previously the president of the digital news brand NowThis.
“In my discussions with Mark since his arrival, there was much we agreed on, in particular that innovative high quality digital news services would be increasingly important for CNN’s future success,” Stephanopoulos added in a statement shared by Thompson. “But it also became clear that Mark had his own vision of how he wanted digital operations to be organized. In order to give him the freest hand possible to structure and shape the organization moving forward, I felt that now was the best time for me to step back from my role and move on to a new chapter. I sincerely wish CNN and each of you great success in the path ahead.” 
A source added that Thompson is expected to unveil a new structure for CNN in the coming weeks, with digital likely to be a critical component of that strategy.
Read Thompson’s memo:
From: Mark Thompson  
Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 9:24 AM
To: *CNN-Worldwide  
Subject: A Note From Mark Thompson
Dear all – 
I have news to share with you today: Athan Stephanopoulos has decided to step down as EVP and Chief Digital Officer of CNN. 
Since his arrival, Athan has been a strong and capable leader of our digital team and a collaborative colleague across the organization. I know that everyone who’s worked alongside him at CNN will want to join me in thanking him for everything he’s done for us and to wish him every success in his next chapter. 
Athan wanted to express the following: “In my discussions with Mark since his arrival, there was much we agreed on, in particular that innovative high quality digital news services would be increasingly important for CNN’s future success. But it also became clear that Mark had his own vision of how he wanted digital operations to be organized. In order to give him the freest hand possible to structure and shape the organization moving forward, I felt that now was the best time for me to step back from my role and move on to a new chapter. I sincerely wish CNN and each of you great success in the path ahead.” 
As we transition, Athan will continue on through the end of the month. Please join me in thanking him again for all his hard work and dedication to CNN. 
Mark
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