Griffin ’70 Named EVP of Time, Inc., President of News Group

John Q. Griffin ’70 was named executive vice president of Time, Inc., and president of the Time Inc. News Group, by corporate CEO Jack Griffin on Dec. 22. (The two Griffins are not related.)

This appointment is part of the reorganization of Time Inc., that split the previous news and sports group into its two components.

In his new role, John Q. Griffin will oversee Time, Fortune and Money along with their respective websites, as well as Life.com.

Previously the executive vice president and president of publishing for the National Geographic Society for the past nine years, Griffin was credited with having helped the society revamp its well respected but unfailingly traditional flagship publication to better compete in the new media market. He is credited with introducing new digital platforms, multimedia content, and new print products, including NatGeo’s quarterly “Green Guide.”

In a press release, Jack Griffin praised John Q. Griffin, calling him, “the right person to continue the exciting innovation and brand expansion at Time, Fortune and Money titles, and to continue growing Time.com, CNNMoney.com and Life.com.”

For his part, John Q. Griffin said, “I look forward to working with the superb teams in the News Group to expand their worldwide leadership and influence as we move further into the digital future.”

Prior to his affiliation with National Geographic, Griffin held many top positions in magazine publishing, including EVP and COO of Hearst Magazines International, president of Rodale Inc.’s magazine division and chairman, president and publisher of PC World. Before joining PC World, he worked as circulation director at Rodale and as an editor at both book and magazine publishing companies.

He also served as chairman of the MPA—The Association of American Media—from 2007 through 2010 and as a director of the Audit Bureau of Circulations for the past six years.

Griffin was an American studies major at Wesleyan.