TIME Chief Operating Officer Mark Howard sent the following note to staff on Wednesday:
Team,
I am excited to announce that Michael Mraz is joining TIME as our new SVP, Head of Product and Platform AI.
In this new role, Michael will lead Product for TIME.com and spearhead our AI experiences on the site through our ongoing partnership with Scale AI and our newsroom enablement efforts in close collaboration with Sam Jacobs and Annabel Gutterman. He will also collaborate with Sharon, who is leading the organization’s enterprise-wide AI strategy, to expedite the deployment of innovative, high-impact solutions. Michael’s leadership will be instrumental as we reimagine the TIME.com experience, infusing AI into our product architecture, newsroom workflows, and audience engagement in bold and future-forward ways.
Michael brings a unique combination of deep media expertise and AI startup leadership that makes him perfectly positioned to drive TIME’s next phase of innovation. He co-founded Smashing, a venture-backed AI curation platform, and has extensive experience leading product, content, and partnerships at major publishers including Hearst and Condé Nast.
At Hearst, Michael served in several senior roles, including VP of Strategic Partnerships and Development, where he drove new lines of revenue through content and video partnerships with big tech and social platforms. He was also Executive Director and GM of the Men’s Group and The Enthusiast Group, overseeing all things digital for Esquire, Town & Country, and Runner’s World, among other brands. Earlier in his career at Condé Nast, he was Digital Director of Architectural Digest and Managing Editor of Men’s Vogue.
Michael’s vision and expertise across product, editorial, and technology position him well to help shape the future of our industry. He will report directly to me, and I’m confident his expertise will drive our digital strategy forward.
Please join me in welcoming Michael to the team!