BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC Group, announced that it has named Ben Goldberger General Manager and Executive Director of Editorial Content. In this newly created role, Goldberger will be responsible for leading the content strategy and growing audiences for BBC.com and the BBC app globally, outside of the UK. Goldberger will oversee the programming and editorial teams at BBC Studios and partner closely with BBC News leadership to bring the BBC’s trusted global journalism and reporting to wider audiences. He will be based in New York and start Monday, September 9.
Goldberger’s appointment follows recent investments the company has made as part of its ongoing digital transformation to grow its audience outside of the UK, including the expansion of the North American newsroom and launch of the newly redesigned and reimagined BBC.com and BBC app. These moves have bolstered the BBC’s coverage out of the United States on the biggest news stories affecting the world and transformed how people read, watch, and access the BBC’s news, features, video, and audio content. Driven by these enhancements, BBC.com and BBC app delivered 85 million combined visitors in July in North America, the second-most ever across both platforms, and saw a +29% month-over-month increase in total visitors compared to June in the region.
Tara Maitra, Chief Commercial Officer, BBC Studios, said: “Ben’s career is marked by his ability to successfully combine traditional journalism with innovative digital strategies, making him uniquely qualified to drive the content strategy for BBC.com and BBC app. He is a proven leader with a strong track record and reputation for delivering positive business results while also maintaining editorial excellence. He is a key addition to our BBC Studios team as we grow the reach and impact of the BBC brand and its journalism around the world.”
Deborah Turness, CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, added: “I’m delighted Ben is joining BBC Studios. He is a rare, brilliant talent, combining editorial excellence with commercial experience. He has a track record of digital innovation and will be a huge asset to the business. I look forward to partnering with him to grow our international news offer – particularly in the US market. This is a hugely consequential time in the US with the countdown to November’s election, and the BBC is the most trusted brand that rises above America’s polarised politics to deliver facts, not opinion.”
Goldberger stated: “The BBC has long been the most essential news source for audiences throughout the world. I am incredibly excited to work with its dedicated journalists around the globe to bring the BBC’s rigorous reporting and compelling storytelling to an even wider audience. At a time of growing division and distrust, the BBC is uniquely positioned to become the place for smart, curious, globally-minded audiences.”
Goldberger joins BBC Studios following a distinguished career at TIME, where he most recently served as Executive Editor. During his tenure at TIME, he led major editorial initiatives for the brand, such as Person of the Year, and helped spearhead a digital-first transformation across the enterprise. Goldberger also played a crucial role in developing TIME’s agenda-setting cover stories, shaping TIME’s audio strategy, growing reach and revenue through successful film and TV projects with TIME Studios, and overseeing content for its venerable print magazine and special issue business. Under his direction, TIME created groundbreaking joint ventures with leading newsrooms and won numerous editorial awards, including multiple National Magazine Awards.
As the Editorial Director for TIME’s Person of the Year franchise, Goldberger transformed it into a multi-faceted editorial and commercial event with significant global impact. He also held founding editorial roles at the Chicago News Cooperative, a public service journalism startup, and Huffington Post Chicago, where he established innovative digital strategies and publication models.
BBC.com and the BBC app are operated by BBC Studios, which leverages the power of the BBC to reach and engage audiences worldwide, BBC Studios is responsible for the distribution and advertising of BBC’s news platforms globally outside of the UK. BBC News is editorially responsible for all news content on the platform and editorially independent of BBC’s commercial arm.
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