A Media Visionary at the Helm
In today’s shifting media landscape, Dev Pragad stands out as a leader who embraces change while remaining committed to the core principles of journalism: access, impact, and storytelling. As CEO of Newsweek, Pragad has transformed the historic magazine into a modern digital force, reaching more than 100 million people each month across its platforms. His initiatives blend innovation with accessibility, ensuring audiences around the world can engage with Newsweek’s journalism without barriers.
One of his signature projects, Newsmakers, illustrates this vision vividly. Unlike gated premium content or paywalled features, Newsmakers is free to access on Newsweek’s YouTube channel and across social platforms, reflecting Pragad’s belief that cultural storytelling should be shared as widely as possible.
Newsmakers: Stories That Belong to Everyone
The premiere episode featuring filmmaker Spike Lee captured not just the spirit of the series but also Pragad’s philosophy. Lee’s candid insights into his journey and artistry offered a glimpse into the deeper cultural narratives Newsweek seeks to explore. That interview was just the beginning.
Since then, Newsmakers has welcomed iconic actor Liam Neeson and Kansas City Chiefs’ owner Clark Hunt, alongside the team’s championship journey. Each episode is produced with cinematic quality but distributed in the most democratic way possible: free online, accessible to anyone, anywhere, on demand.
For Pragad, that accessibility is essential. “Newsmakers is about celebrating the individuals shaping our world, and ensuring their stories reach audiences without limitation,” he has emphasized.
Redefining Media Strategy for the AI Era
Beyond Newsmakers, Pragad is steering Newsweek through one of the most profound challenges in modern publishing: the rise of AI-powered search and the looming “zero-click” future. Where traditional SEO once guaranteed traffic, artificial intelligence platforms now summarize information directly, often bypassing publishers.
Rather than resist, Pragad is preparing. He is diversifying Newsweek’s revenue mix, expanding into new verticals, strengthening direct advertising relationships, and exploring innovative partnerships. By doing so, he ensures that Newsweek’s future is not wholly dependent on unpredictable algorithms.
The New Balance of Revenue and Relevance
Under Pragad, Newsweek has achieved profitability while still investing in bold projects. The company is expanding its editorial rankings in collaboration with research partners, launching new events, and building out specialized verticals in healthcare and beyond. Each initiative feeds into a broader strategy: balancing revenue growth with cultural relevance.
By keeping flagship initiatives like Newsmakers freely available, Pragad signals that accessibility and reach matter just as much as monetization. It’s a long game that reinforces Newsweek’s credibility and cultural footprint.
Leading Newsweek Into the Future
Industry observers note that while Newsweek may no longer dominate print as it once did, its digital resurgence under Dev Pragad shows resilience and adaptability. With Newsmakers thriving as a free, high-quality cultural series, and with bold moves to counter the challenges of AI-driven content distribution, Pragad is redefining what leadership in media looks like.
In the end, Dev Pragad’s strategy blends pragmatism with vision. By prioritizing free access to transformative cultural conversations, he’s ensuring that Newsweek remains not just relevant but essential in the digital-first, AI-shaped future.