Charles H. Townsend is Chairman of Condé Nast, the premier media company renowned for producing the world’s highest quality content for the world’s most influential audiences. Attracting 131 million consumers across its industry-leading print and digital brands, Condé Nast’s properties include some of the most respected titles in media: Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Brides, Self, GQ, The New Yorker, Condé Nast Traveler, Details, Allure, Architectural Digest, Bon Appétit, Epicurious, Wired, W, Golf Digest, Golf World, Teen Vogue, Ars Technica and recently acquired Pitchfork Media, Inc. The company’s newest division, Condé Nast Entertainment (CNÉ), was launched in 2011 to develop film, television and digital video programming, and has to date, delivered more than 2.5 billion video views across its 19 brand-inspired digital video channels.
Prior to being appointed Chairman, Townsend served as the company’s CEO from 2004 to 2015. Previously, he was named Chief Operating Officer in 2000 after having joined the company in 1994 as Publisher of Glamour magazine.
During Townsend’s twenty-year tenure at Condé Nast, the company reached record profits, significantly growing its topline and exponentially expanding its distribution platforms. In October 2015, Condé Nast’s digital audience hit a record high of 98.6 million, and in 2013, the corporation was named one of the fast-growing companies in the digital video business. Under Townsend’s leadership, Condé Nast has earned more prestigious awards across more categories than any competitor, including a record 115 National Magazine Awards. In late 2014, the company relocated to its new global headquarters at 1 World Trade Center, where it is playing a leading role in the resurgence of Lower Manhattan.
Earlier in his career, Townsend served as President and CEO of The New York Times\\\\\\\' Women’s Magazine Publishing Division and as Publisher of various Hearst Magazines titles.