The newest editor-in-chief of US Glamour is CNN social media executive producer Samantha Barry. Condé Nast, publisher for Glamour, confirmed.
The news came after an unexpectedly long search. This past September, Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive announced she would leave the role of leading the magazine after staying for 16 years.
Barry, 36, has gone from BBC World News to CNN and now Glamour. At Condé Nast, Barry will be in charge of the Glamour brand and content and also in charge of consumer experiences. Barry starts Jan. 15.
Anna Wintour, Artistic Director of Condé Nast and Vogues editor in chief, has said that Barry is Glamour’s “first digital-native editor.” Wintour and Barry are said to have had a personal relationship prior to her appointment. Wintour elaborates in a statement:
“As an editor she has led all manner of news coverage from the 2016 presidential election and the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting to the love story voicemails and the 2018 New Year’s Eve festivities. Sam understands social media as a tool for storytelling and reporting; a way to support social conversation and the ever-changing contours of what’s cool. Sam is fearless, like so many leaders of the moment, and has both a reverence for Glamour’s history and a crystal clear view of its future in the digital environment.”
Barry also spoke in a statement:
“I am as humbled by Glamour’s past as I am excited about Glamour’s future. I could not be more proud to take the reigns of an iconic women’s brand at this pivotal moment for all women’s voices. For me, Glamour is the home of strong storytellers, insightful journalism, beauty and fashion. I look forward to building on the brand’s success, and sharing Glamour with audiences everywhere.”
Bob Sauerberg, Condé Nast’s chief executive and president, said:
“As we continue to innovate our content and distribution to reach next generation audiences, it is critical that our creators understand the symbiotic relationship between the audience, content and the best platforms to deliver each story and experience. Samantha’s fluency in connecting with consumers in digital, social and video will give Glamour fans the content they love, and in ways that are most meaningful to them.”
