Chris Stone is Editorial Director for Time Inc.’s
Sports Illustrated has announced today by President Rich Battista, that Chris Stone has been appointed Editorial Director for Time Inc.’s Sports Illustrated (SI), Golf and SI Kids.
Time Inc. Entertainment and Sports Group, started the new role, that Stone will oversee all editorial content, operations on a cross-platform basis for the three brands. The industry said that he ismost 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 to the sources. “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 front of our eyes 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 to the sources.
Stone, almost 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, and to give the seat to Stone.
From the 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. His role whose 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.
The impression of new multi-skilled editorial talent into the organization, seems 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.
(Credit by Sports Illustrated)
