Charles H. Townsend, Ex-Condé Nast CEO, Dies at 82 After Steering Digital Shift

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 1

Charles H. Townsend died June 11 in Vero Beach, Florida, at 82; his daughter said sepsis caused his death in a hospital.
Townsend became Condé Nast chief executive in 2004 and retired 12 years later, leading Vogue, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker’s parent through the industry’s shift from print to digital.
By 2010, about 70% of Condé Nast’s net profits came from advertising, leaving the company exposed as ad revenue fell and forcing cuts that closed titles including Gourmet, Details and Lucky.
Townsend defended print even in 2012, but print revenue kept shrinking and digital growth struggled to offset the losses, though Condé Nast said three months ago that its overall business remained profitable.