Media and publishing
10 heads of data in Media and publishing
These ten executives hold or have held chief data officer titles at media and publishing companies. A reader can learn how heads of data lead data organizations in media and publishing businesses.
Professionals to explore
01—10Beth Diaz
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer · POLITICO
Chief Data Officer at POLITICO from 2023 to 2025, and Global Chief Information Officer there since January 2025, a role the profile says leads POLITICO's Data & Insights and Technology teams. The profile describes POLITICO as an online audio and video media company. Former Vice President, Audience Development and Analytics at The Washington Post (2014–2023).
Daragh Kelly
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer · The Economist
Chief Data Officer at The Economist since November 2023; the profile describes The Economist as a newspaper publishing company and lists a DataIQ Best Data & Analytics Team win in 2023 and several DataIQ 100 listings. Former Global VP, Data & Analytics at Burberry (2018–2023) and Data Strategy & Innovation Director at Sky (2017–2018).
David Johnson
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer · Forbes
Chief Data Officer at Forbes since December 2022; the profile describes Forbes as a global media company. Former Senior Vice President - Business Intelligence, Data Science, Data Engineering, and Data Products (2021–2022) and Vice President Business Intelligence (2018–2020) at Forbes, and Director, Digital Analytics at Haymarket Media US (2016–2018).
Jessica Hogue
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer, Consumer Media · Hearst Communications
Chief Data Officer, Consumer Media at Hearst Communications since March 2023, and former GM Measurement and Analytics at Innovid (2019–2023). The profile describes over 20 years of experience in media, journalism, data, advertising, research, analytics and technology, and says she has built businesses from the ground up.
Pasquale Speranzoso
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer · Il Post
Chief Data Officer at Il Post since December 2023; the profile describes Il Post as a book and periodical publishing company that provides newsletter and podcast services. Former Data Manager at Avanade (2022–2023), Head Of Business Data (2019–2022) and Head Of Business Support Systems (2017–2019) at ePRICE, and Head Of Business Intelligence at Italiaonline (2016–2017).
Priya Saint Olive
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer · Lagardère News / Lagardère Radio
Former Chief Data Officer at Lagardère News / Lagardère Radio (2016–2019). At CMI Media, which the profile describes as a new media group formed from part of Lagardère's brands such as Elle.fr, Public and Tele7, the profile lists Chief Data and Digital Officer since August 2023 and Chief Data and Digital Operations Officer (2019–2023). Other roles include Data Project Manager at Le Figaro (2014–2016).
Rocco Michele Lancellotti
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data & AI Officer · RCS MediaGroup
Chief Data & AI Officer at RCS MediaGroup since June 2025; the profile lists RCS MediaGroup as a book and periodical publishing company. Other RCS MediaGroup roles listed are Head of Data Science & AI (2021–2025), Chief Data Officer ad interim (2023–2024) and Data Science & Analytics Lead (2021), alongside an Adjunct Lecturer - Data and AI Strategy role at Luiss Business School (2022–2025).
Simon Smith
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer · News Corp
Chief Data Officer at News Corp since February 2017, a role the profile says reports to the global CTO and is responsible for the data and platform strategy at News Corp and its operating companies, including Dow Jones. Former SVP Technology (Data, Identity, Ad Tech) at News Corp (2013–2017), and Chief Technology Officer (Interim) (2012–2013) and Head of Data and Analytics (2011–2013) at News UK.
Thomas Koschel
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer - Global Publishing · Bauer Media Group
Chief Data Officer - Global Publishing at Bauer Media Group since November 2023, and former Group Chief Data Officer - Business Area Online Comparison Platforms there (2020–2023). The profile describes over 20 years across data and analytics, driving strategic data usage for value creation in industries including e-commerce, telco, publishing, classifieds and digital marketplaces.
Will Gonzalez
LinkedInExperience: EVP, Chief Data Officer · NBCUniversal
Former EVP, Chief Data Officer (2021–2023) and Chief Data Officer - Media Group (2023–2025) at NBCUniversal, and Chief Growth & Data Officer there since March 2025. The profile says the current role leads day-to-day strategy and execution for Peacock across a television and streaming portfolio including NBC, Bravo, NBC Sports and Peacock. Former Senior Vice President, Decision Sciences - Peacock (2019–2021).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to yours, since running data for a whole media group differs from running it for one publication or business unit. Also weigh whether the person's current role is still focused on data or has broadened into technology, growth or digital, depending on which view you need.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you define the scope of the chief data officer role at your company, and where did it sit in the organization?
- 02Which data platform and team investments paid off first, and which took longer than expected?
- 03How did you get editorial, commercial and product teams to rely on shared data and metrics?
Reaching heads of data in Media and publishing
How can I contact one of these heads of data in Media and publishing?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including POLITICO, The Economist and Forbes, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach heads of data in Media and publishing?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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