Mike Van Appointed as Billboard’s First-Ever CEO

Billboard has officially named Mike Van as its first CEO, promoting him from his role as president, which he has held since 2022. The announcement was made on Monday.

Van, who joined Billboard in 2018 after previous roles at Pandora, Electronic Arts, and Complex, will now oversee both the editorial and business operations of the brand. Billboard’s editor-in-chief, Hannah Karp, will now report directly to Van, who will in turn report to Jay Penske, CEO of Penske Media Corporation — Billboard’s parent company, which also owns The Hollywood Reporter.

“Mike is a unique leader and visionary,” said Penske in a statement. “His passion for the Billboard brand and his clear vision for its future have driven remarkable growth. Under his leadership, Billboard has cultivated a global presence, continuously innovating across all areas of the business.”

In his new role, Mike Van will manage Billboard’s overall strategy, revenue generation, operations, live events, international licensing, and brand partnerships. Alongside its influential music charts, Billboard also hosts major live experiences such as the Billboard Music Awards, Billboard Latin Music Week, and Billboard Women in Music.

Calling his appointment “the honor of a lifetime,” Mike Van praised the culture of excellence the team has built in recent years. “In a media landscape often defined by contraction, what we’ve achieved has been extraordinary,” Van said. “I’m excited to lead Billboard into the future, continuing to champion artists and executives, expand our global footprint, and elevate our live experiences, securing our place as the definitive voice of the music business and culture.”

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