John Avlon Leaves Daily Beast To Join CNN Full-Time, Noah Shachtman Takes Over As Editor-In-Chief
The Daily Beast announced on Thursday that editor-in-chief John Avlon will be moving to CNN full-time as a political analyst and anchor. In Avlon’s place, executive editor Noah Shachtman will take over on top.
In a statement on the move, CNN said that Avlon’s title will be Senior Political Analyst and he will have a daily presence on morning show New Day. He will also serve a role as a fill-in anchor while working closely with the network’s digital side.
Avlon served as the Beast’s EIC since 2013, succeeding site founder Tina Brown. He initially joined The Daily Beast in 2008 as a columnist and eventually moved up the editorial ranks before taking over for Brown.
“I’ve loved leading The Daily Beast newsroom, but after five years, it’s time for a new challenge,” Avlon said about the move. “I am looking forward to joining CNN full time and becoming part of such a great independent global news organization. This is the best time to be a journalist, and the work CNN does to put ‘facts first’ is more important than ever before. I am thrilled to have this opportunity.”
A number of current and former Beast employees took to Twitter to comment on Avlon’s departure and Shachtman taking charge.
This is so bittersweet. Sad to see @JohnAvlon go (eternally grateful for his friendship and for him bringing me to the Beast), but so very proud of him. And it’s pretty cool that @NoahShachtman
is EIC now, I guess. https://t.co/PqMXhzP4HG— Andrew Kirell (@AndrewKirell) May 24, 2018
I’ve only been here ten months, so I lack the institutional knowledge or experience to speak with authority. But @JohnAvlon has been an incredible EIC and an amazing mentor. Will miss him tremendously as he goes to CNN. And I could not be happier @NoahShachtman is his replacement
— Sam Stein (@samstein) May 24, 2018
.@JohnAvlon was dumb enough to believe in me & give me a job years ago but don’t hold that against him. 1 of the ways I 1st got on his radar was being a dick on Twitter to one of his employees. (True story.)
Much much love to him & his fam now that he’s got a sick new gig @ CNN!
— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24) May 24, 2018
Congratulations, @JohnAvlon and @NoahShachtman! I'm forever indebted to you both and to the wonderful team @thedailybeast for the opportunities you gave me for 3 years. https://t.co/u9UwMSiTEV
— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) May 24, 2018
I'm thrilled to be able to say that I worked at @thedailybeast under @JohnAvlon, even if it was just a few months. Sitting in his office for my interview was low-terrifying, but he made me feel like the smart, social-first journo I knew I was. And it meant everything. TY, John.
— Mandy Velez (@mandy_velez) May 24, 2018
In my time at the Beast, @JohnAvlon was an amazing EIC and person overall. @NoahShachtman is such a kickass choice to lead the ship. https://t.co/RKIlPvEe5E
— Colin Jones (@colinjones) May 24, 2018
