Adam Symson

Adam Symson, 44, is president and CEO of The E.W. Scripps Company.

Prior to becoming CEO in August 2017, Adam was Scripps’ chief operating officer, overseeing the company’s broadcast TV, radio and digital media divisions.

As chief digital officer from 2011 to 2016, he was responsible for driving the company’s digital transformation in Scripps’ local television, newspaper and radio markets and for national businesses including Newsy and Midroll. In this role, Adam oversaw the strategy and execution across product development, content, revenue and marketing for Scripps’ portfolio of web, mobile and over-the-top businesses. He was responsible for leading the company’s efforts to develop new businesses in emerging media through investment and acquisition. He also was responsible for the operations within the Scripps News Washington Bureau.

Prior to this post, Adam oversaw the operation, content and revenue for the TV division’s interactive businesses. He also spent a year as director of content and marketing for the Scripps interactive media division (which was spun off into Scripps Networks Interactive in 2008). Adam joined the company’s corporate operation in 2003 as the director of investigations and special projects for the TV group. Shortly after, he was named director of news strategy and operations. Adam joined Scripps as executive producer of investigations and special projects for KNXV, the Scripps-owned ABC affiliate in Phoenix.

Earlier in his career, Adam worked as an investigative journalist for WBBM in Chicago and KCBS, KNBC and KCAL in Los Angeles and as an independent producer for CBS News and NBC News. He began his broadcast career at KGIL-AM 1260 in Los Angeles and has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Adam has been a mentor, advisor and board member for several accelerators and digital media startups. He serves on the boards of directors for Cincinnati’s Holocaust & Humanity Center, the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press and Adath Israel Congregation.

A passionate advocate for the important role journalists play in our society, Adam also is an established thought leader in the media industry, having been recognized by the National Association of Broadcasters in 2016 with the Digital Leadership Award, by Borrell with its 2014 Award of Merit (also known as the Innovator’s Award) and by Broadcasting & Cable in 2011 as the Multiplatform Broadcaster of the Year.

He and his wife, Sherri, have two daughters.