New Leader at The Independent: A Fresh Push for Growth
The Independent has tapped Chris Anthony to lead its North American division, effective June 8. He will oversee the region’s entire profit and loss, managing both content creation and commercial activities, and report directly to global CEO Christian Broughton.
Anthony joins from Gallery Media Group, where he held dual roles as Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Client Officer for the Tamara Group under VaynerX. His résumé also lists stints at Group Nine, PopSugar, and The Walt Disney Company.
He succeeds Zach Schwartz, who is now focusing on the company’s philanthropic initiatives. Anthony views The Independent as a brand with strong trust and editorial credibility that remains commercially under‑utilized. “There’s a huge commercial opportunity that I think is untapped,” he said, emphasizing the startup energy required to unlock it.
Strategy Overview
- Lifestyle‑Driven Growth – Leveraging his background in lifestyle media, Anthony plans to build new revenue streams around finance, travel, and technology, sectors already showing audience growth.
- Experiential Events – He is targeting high‑profile gatherings such as SXSW, Art Basel, and Davos.
- Creator‑Led Journalism – A key priority will be investing in internal talent to grow personal brands and attracting external creators with followings in finance and travel. Anthony believes the brand’s long‑standing infrastructure can support these collaborations.
- Social Media Alignment – Drawing on his VaynerX experience, he aims to refine social media tactics so editorial formats align with platform algorithms on YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels.
Looking Ahead
The Independent has a history of bold moves—most notably ending its print edition in 2016—but may have less room for experimentation now. Under Anthony’s leadership, the company aims to continue pushing boundaries and capitalizing on new opportunities.
