Making history within the music media industry, Mike Van has just been named the CEO of Billboard.
Van, formerly the President of Billboard since 2022, is the first-ever individual to take on this role, with his responsibilities set to oversee the company’s global brand footprint in fifteen countries — alongside the aspects of strategy, revenue, business operations, live experiences, international licensing, and brand partnerships. In addition to that, he will also oversee the business and editorial teams of Billboard, with the publication’s editor-in-chief, Hannah Karp, set to report directly to Van.
In his new position, Van will be reporting directly to Jay Penske –– the chairman and CEO of Penske Media Corporation (the parent company of Billboard). “Mike is a one-of-a-kind leader, visionary and partner. His passion for the Billboard brand and clear vision for its future has always set him apart,” said Penske in an official statement. “Mike has fostered a collaborative environment with a team committed to building a formidable global business – innovating and trailblazing at every level. It has been inspiring to watch Billboard’s seismic growth over the last several years and I look forward to seeing the brand continue to thrive under Mike’s leadership.”
Over the last seven years, Van has held leadership positions at Billboard even prior to his tenure as president — having been able to drive double-digit revenue growth and the continued expansion of the brand’s global presence. He has also spearheaded Billboard‘s digital transformation while continuing to develop cutting-edge live experiences, including Latin Music Week, the Billboard Latin Music Awards, THE STAGE at SXSW, as well as the prolific Billboard Music Awards, and Billboard Women in Music events. Yet beyond his contributions to the company, Van also carries over twenty-five years of marketing and monetization experience into his elevate role as Billboard’s CEO.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to lead Billboard and the team,” mentioned Van. “Together, we have cultivated a culture of excellence. What we’ve built over the last several years has been nothing short of extraordinary, particularly in a media landscape marked by contraction and consolidation. I am deeply proud to carry this legacy forward as we shape the next 125 years by continuing to celebrate artist and executive achievements through our charts, content, global IP expansion and evolving our signature live experiences, cementing our position as the definitive voice of music business and culture.”