Ben Cotton
About Ben Cotton
Ben Cotton serves as the Senior Vice President and Head of Subscription Growth at The New York Times, where he has worked since 2022. He manages the digital subscription business, overseeing a team of over 150 professionals and more than 8 million subscribers across various products.
Work at The New York Times
Ben Cotton has held multiple roles at The New York Times since 2014. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President & Head of Subscription Growth, a position he has held since 2022. Prior to this role, he was the Head of Subscription Growth from 2021 to 2022 and Vice President of Product from 2019 to 2021. His earlier positions include Executive Director of Subscription Growth and Retention & Customer Experience, as well as Director of Product Marketing. Throughout his tenure, he has led a cross-functional team of over 150 professionals, managing the digital subscription business that includes over 8 million subscribers.
Education and Expertise
Ben Cotton studied at Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in History. His educational background has contributed to his analytical skills and strategic thinking, which he applies in his current role at The New York Times. His expertise encompasses subscription growth strategies, product management, and customer experience, which are critical to his responsibilities in overseeing the digital subscription business.
Background
Before joining The New York Times, Ben Cotton gained experience in various roles. He worked at McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst and later as a Senior Business Analyst from 2011 to 2014. His early career included internships with the Boston Red Sox and Pawtucket Red Sox, where he focused on publications and media relations. Additionally, he served as Editor in Chief of the Columbia Daily Spectator, further developing his leadership and editorial skills.
Achievements
In his role at The New York Times, Ben Cotton is responsible for managing the digital subscription business, which serves over 8 million subscribers across several products, including News, Games, Cooking, and Wirecutter. He oversees commercial surfaces and systems for digital products, including subscription purchase and cancellation flows, access rules, and customer service tools. His leadership in subscription growth has been instrumental in enhancing the overall customer experience and retention strategies.