Ben French
About Ben French
Ben French serves as the Vice President of Subscription and Membership Products at Condé Nast, where he oversees product strategy for several prominent brands. He has extensive experience in digital media product innovation, having held various leadership roles at The New York Times and CBS Interactive.
Work at Condé Nast
Ben French has been serving as the Vice President of Subscription and Membership Products at Condé Nast since 2020. In this role, he oversees the subscription and membership product strategy for several prominent brands, including The New Yorker, Bon Appétit, Epicurious, Wired, and Vanity Fair. His work focuses on enhancing the digital offerings and driving revenue through innovative subscription models.
Previous Experience at The New York Times
Prior to his current position, Ben French held various roles at The New York Times. He served as Senior Vice President of Reader Experience from 2017 to 2019 and as Senior Vice President of Discovery for one year in 2019. He also worked as Executive Director of New Products from 2013 to 2015 and as VP of NYT Beta from 2015 to 2017. His contributions included reimagining the core experience of the publication and playing a key role in the acquisition of Wirecutter.
Education and Expertise
Ben French earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Indiana University Bloomington, where he studied from 1994 to 1998. He later obtained an MBA with a focus on Finance, Entertainment, Media, and Technology from New York University, completing his studies from 2003 to 2005. His educational background supports his strong expertise in digital media product innovation and strategic planning.
Background in Digital Media
Ben French has a comprehensive background in digital media, having worked in various capacities across notable organizations. His career includes positions at CBS Interactive, where he was VP of Strategy & Development, and Wenner Media, where he served as Executive Producer for Rolling Stone.com. His experience spans business development, product management, and strategic planning, contributing to sustainable revenue creation within legacy media companies.
Passion for Creative Collaboration
Ben French is known for his passion for fostering creative collaboration between editorial and business teams. He focuses on building valuable products that enhance user experience and drive engagement. His approach integrates insights from both editorial and business perspectives, ensuring that product innovations align with audience needs and organizational goals.