Julia Cosgrove

About Julia Cosgrove

I’m an award-winning, entrepreneurial executive with extensive experience launching, leading, and growing media brands; building highly engaged cross-functional teams and then inspiring them to do the best work of their careers; creating and implementing innovative, revenue-generating content and creative strategies; tirelessly advocating for out-of-the-box experimentation and product differentiation; and recruiting and cultivating top-notch talent in an ever-evolving business climate. I’m a decisive brand steward, a journalist, an editor, and a highly creative strategist who cuts through the noise to reveal and distill what truly matters. I drive results and excellence. I build community through active listening, loyalty, respect, and an abiding commitment to doing right by people. I believe in the vital importance of trustworthiness, expertise, transparency, inclusivity, and authoritativeness. I balance business needs with the craft of creative thinking. I lead by instinct, data, and example. I believe the best working relationships are highly collaborative and full of candor and direct communication, and I excel when I’m working with a diverse group of colleagues who bring radically different perspectives to the table. I approach leadership—and times of crisis—with empathy and humility. I’m a bold ideas person and a creative problem solver who relishes a good challenge. As such, I thrive in nimble, forward-thinking companies led by teams who aren’t afraid to take risks and who encourage employees to bring their whole selves to work. I enjoy leadership roles focused on big-picture strategy, but I’m also happy to roll up my sleeves and get things done. I’m a stickler for a strong, confident, and consistent brand voice. What has driven me throughout my 20+ years in media? Conceptualizing, creating, and amplifying quality, engaging stories; honing and then staying true to a brand’s core mission and vision; turning customers into passionate evangelists; and intentionally converting good ideas into good business.

Experience

1. Vice President & Editor in Chief

   Afar

   Aug 2011 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US

   As vice president and editor in chief, I define the brand voice of AFAR Media’s award-winning and profitable products, including AFAR magazine, AFAR.com, events, email newsletters, podcasts, social channels, video, and new, emerging platforms. Bringing heart, soul, and a commitment to quality, I set AFAR’s content strategy. In 2020, AFAR had record-breaking traffic growth of 130% year-over-year, ranking the brand #1 in growth across all measured media in 2020. I’ve championed AFAR’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and I’ve been a decisive leader in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences. I created the brand’s new positioning statement around the concept of travel as a force for good.I oversee a team of editors, writers, art and photo/video directors, and designers. I work closely with our sales and marketing teams on revenue-generating franchises, cross-platform proposals, custom content programs, and strategic partnerships. I serve on AFAR’s executive steering committee, helping to drive vision and set strategy, objectives, and key results for the company.I’m also an expert and thought leader on travel and media, and I’ve shared my vision and expertise on stages around the globe. I’ve led panels, interviewed industry leaders, and delivered keynote addresses at the Travel Classics conference, the Society of American Travel Writers Editors’ Council, the Skift Global Forum, the IMAG Conference, the Women’s Travel Fest, the Tourism Australia Summit, the American Society of Journalists and Authors Writers Conference, the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, the Public Relations Society of America Travel and Tourism Section Conference, and more.Under my leadership, AFAR is the only brand to win a Lowell Thomas Award every year since its 2009 launch—Best Travel Magazine, Best Website, and Best Travel App—and the only travel media brand to be a National Magazine Award finalist for General Excellence in both print and digital.

Education

• Barnard College

  B.A., English

  1998 — 2002

• Trinity College Dublin

  Study Abroad program, Literature

  2000 — 2001

Skills

• Newspapers
• Editing
• Magazines
• Copy Editing
• New Media
• Feature Articles
• Content Development
• Content Strategy
• Writing
• Publications
• Blogging
• Editorial
• Team Leadership
• Social Media
• Press Releases
• Digital Media
• Publishing
• Storytelling
• Web Content
• Management
• Copywriting
• Journalism
• Content Management