Billboard Appoints Mike Van as First CEO in 131 Years of Music History

For the first time in its 131-year history, Billboard has appointed a chief executive. On Monday, the company announced that Mike Van, previously serving as the magazine’s president, has been elevated to the role of CEO.

Van will "oversee both the business and editorial teams" as part of his new role, Billboard said, while editorial director Hannah Karp will report to him directly; Van will report to Penske media chairman and CEO Jay Penske.

Billboard stated that in this role, Van will supervise Billboard’s global brand presence across 15 nations, as well as manage various areas such as strategic planning, income generation, business processes, live events, international franchising, and collaborations with brands.

Van has been associated with Billboard since 2018 and assumed the role of president in 2022. Before joining Billboard, he had stints at Electronic Arts, Pandora, and Complex.

"Mike is a one-of-a-kind leader, visionary and partner," Penske said in a statement. "His passion for the Billboard brand and clear vision for its future has always set him apart. Mike has fostered a collaborative environment with a team committed to building a formidable global business - innovating and trailblazing at every level."

Since taking office as the head of Billboard, Van has achieved "significant double-digit revenue increases" and boosted the brand's "international reach," according to the firm’s statement, though they did not provide further details about specific figures. Established in 1894, Billboard operates within the Penske Media Corporation family alongside various other well-known entities such as Deadline, the Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Rolling Stone.

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