The Economist names Micklethwait as new editor

by Sarah Woods, Brand Republic 24-Mar-06, 08:30

LONDON - John Micklethwait, the US editor of The Economist, has been named as the 16th editor of the magazine in its 160-year history, following the resignation of Bill Emmott last month.

Micklethwait, 43, joined The Economist in the finance section in 1987. He went on to edit the business section for four years and set up the magazine's office in Los Angeles, where he worked from 1990 to 1993.

He then became media correspondent prior to being bureau chief in New York and later returned to London to take on the role of London-based US editor.

The new editor has co-authored four books with Adrian Wooldridge, The Economist's bureau chief in Washington, DC: 'The Witch Doctors'; 'A Future Perfect: The Challenge and Hidden Promise of Globalisation'; 'The Company: A Short History of Revolutionary Idea'; and 'The Right Nation'.

Micklethwait follows in the footsteps of Bill Emmott, The Economist's editor for 13 years, during which time the circulation grew from 510,000 to 1.1m worldwide.

Emmott stepped down from the role to focus on writing books after spending 26 years with the magazine, working his way up from Brussels correspondent in 1980, becoming financial editor in 1986 then business affairs editor in 1989. His job as editor-in-chief commenced in March 1993.

Micklethwait said on learning of his appointment: "I am honoured to have been given the chance to edit this great newspaper. I have always thought that this was the best job in journalism anywhere in the world."

Sir Robert Wilson, The Economist group chairman, said: "The Economist has a team of exceptionally talented journalists and we have been in the fortunate position to be able to choose a new editor from several excellent candidates.

"John Micklethwait has already shown that he is an outstanding journalist and has considerable experience on both sides of the Atlantic."

The magazine is famous for its long-running and award-winning advertising campaign, created by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO.

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