John Harris, the co-founder ofPolitico, is returning to media outlets newsroom leadership as global editor in chief.
Hell succeedMatt Kaminski, who is stepping down as U.S. editor in chief on Aug. 31.
Kaminski will serve as editor at large, and will contribute regular pieces on U.S. and global affairs.
Harris has served as editorial chair, advising the company on longterm strategy.
Politicowas soldto Axel Springer for more than $1 billion in 2021.
Sheikholeslami wrote that Harriss return to executive duties marks a significant moment for our company.
His intimate knowledge as a founder gives him a unique perspective to see and seize opportunities others may not.
This is the latest change in leadership at Politico.
Dafna Linzer departed from her role as executive editor after a year in the job.
The full memos from Sheikholeslami and Harris are below.
At the same time, John will take on a new role as POLITICOs first global editor in chief.
Matt is one of the great builders in journalism today.
Its a reputation he has established in both of his leadership roles at POLITICO.
The other half of Matts tenure has been in Washington.
In his five years here, POLITICO greatly expanded the breadth and impact of its journalism.
He steered the newsroom through several election cycles and a pandemic.
But first I want you to hear from me.
His intimate knowledge as a founder gives him a unique perspective to see and seize opportunities others may not.
To be clear: John is not returning to a job he once had.
He does not intend to fill the U.S. editor in chief job.
Thats why I am here, and why I hope you are too.
I have also asked him to continue to serve as a strategic adviser to me on our global ambitions.
There are goals within our grasp now that were beyond reach just a couple years ago.
I know from some of my conversations that there is curiosity about this.
What are the duties of this new role?
Why do I seek this change?
What are the ideas I shared with Goli and Mathias in seeking this new opportunity to lead?
Increasingly, it is true of questions relating to public health, genetics, and ethics.
In recent weeks we have told this story from Iowa and New Hampshire to Ankara and Amsterdam.
Suddenly, it seemed clear to me this was what I was meant do.
My mind always returns to the same place: My lifes work is right here.
For 16 years, from the very early days, it was obvious that this place has something special.
Our publication was born with the right idea, at the right time, with the right people.
This ambition radiates a kind of magnetic power, on others and on me.
Self-critique is the indispensable prerequisite to self-improvement.
At the outset we had a couple dozen journalists.
Now we have some 600.
But our guiding principle of quality over quantity has not changed.
If a story seems routine, how can we transform it into something more?
What dots are there to be connected by our expertise and analytical illumination?
How can our report be more stylish and more urgent?
There arent many people at POLITICO who can work harder than they currently do.
But every single one of us can press ourselves on how we can aim higher.
This is one of our top priorities: more impact for our work.
A couple important notes.
In addition, impactful work doesnt mean heavy or self-important.
Let us bring more voice, humor, and humanity into our report.
This must and will be an obsession.
Too often journalists equate hiring more bodies with achieving greater impact.
Where we see missing capacities, we will recruit vigorously from outside.
I am not invoking the supernatural.
Lets see how far these can take us in the months and years ahead.
