Rolling Stone said Thursday that Gus Wenner has been named executive chairman, with Julian Holguin becoming CEO.
Wenner will collaborate with Holguin to ensure the brand’s long-term strategic vision while pursuing new ventures outside of Rolling Stone. Holguin will assume oversight of the business.
Wenner — the son of Jann Wenner, who co-founded Rolling Stone in 1967 — led the sale of the brand to Penske Media Corporation in 2017. (PMC is also parent company of The Hollywood Reporter.) After the sale, Wenner served as president for four years, rising to CEO in early 2022.
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Under his leadership, Rolling Stone has grown its audience, built up its live events business, launched Rolling Stone Films, built a digital subscription business and expanded its global footprint. During that time, Rolling Stone has won seven National Magazine Awards, its first Emmy Award, a George Polk Award and its first Murrow Prize.
“It has been an unbelievable journey leading Rolling Stone,” Wenner said. “There have been so many brilliant contributors and collaborators who have helped transform it from a magazine into a multimedia powerhouse, all while keeping its mission intact. I am grateful to every single one of them. Building something outside of Rolling Stone has been on my mind for some time, and although it has been a hard decision to make, the timing is right — the business is as strong as it has ever been, and it will be in great hands. I look forward to continuing to help guide the ship as executive chairman, while embarking on my next chapter.”
Added PMC chairman and CEO Jay Penske: “Rolling Stone is poised for continued success leveraging Gus’ deep experience and vision for the brand and Julian’s keen business instincts and passion for innovation. Rolling Stone will continue its rich legacy of world class journalism and culture shaping conversation while creating new avenues for growth.”
Holguin spent 10 years at Billboard, another PMC brand, most recently as president, where he oversaw global business operations. He led Billboard through its 2014 merger with The Hollywood Reporter, the acquisition of Spin Media in 2016, its 2018 merger with Dick Clark Productions and its eventual sale to PMC in 2020. Holguin will report to Penske.
“The legacy and enduring impact of Rolling Stone is undeniable, and having the opportunity to broaden the scope and reach of the brand is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Holguin said. “I’m thrilled to join forces with the entire Rolling Stone team to drive its continued evolution and expansion into new and exciting territory.”
