Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) appointed New York-based John Hartig a Managing Director in its Media group within A&M’s Corporate Performance Improvement practice. Hartig, who has a track record of transforming media companies by aligning to shifting market dynamics, expands and strengthens A&M’s capabilities to drive value to an industry in critical need of transformation.
Hartig brings more than 30 years of media experience, which includes leading e-commerce and data monetization, new technology implementation, financial restructuring, new business launches, and mergers and acquisitions. He has restructured operations at public, private and private equity-owned media companies; and is recognized for salvaging unprofitable enterprises by pivoting to digitization and introducing strategies that helped revitalize consumer franchises. He has implemented strategies that increasingly monetized platforms and audience while decreasing reliance on advertising in accordance with market realities.
“It’s no secret that the media industry is going through massive change and companies continue to struggle to transition from legacy print to digitization. John strengthens our capabilities to help clients better position their assets and maximize value,” said Cyndi Joiner, Managing Director at A&M and leader of the Corporate Performance Improvement practice’s East Region. “John’s genuine passion for the industry’s contributions to society guides his strategic approach to redeploy and reposition media companies’ assets in alignment with market dynamics and consumer preferences.”
Hartig has served in leadership roles at several media companies. As Chairman and CEO of Sports Information Group / Daily Racing Form, he led the restructuring, turnaround and rapid buildout of its technology infrastructure that produced a suite of premier digital content and data products. He also introduced an industry leading gaming platform that accelerated high-margin revenue and EBITDA growth, positioning the company for a successful sale.
Mr. Hartig also served with Hearst, where he led its magazine division’s consumer marketing operation. He helped create Hearst’s first subscription acquisition e-commerce platform, which reversed declining circulation into record growth and generated an incremental 28 percent margin improvement over two years. Prior to Hearst, Mr. Hartig served as President and CEO of The Parenting Group at Time Inc., where he transformed the legacy Parenting franchise into a multi-platform digital, television, print, and database operation. During his tenure, The Parenting Group’s EBITDA increased by 35 percent.
“It’s clear the pace of industry disruption has accelerated and will continue to do so. A&M’s leadership, action, results mindset is mission-critical to helping media clients navigate today’s and tomorrow’s challenges,” said Mr. Hartig. “A&M’s track record of delivering improved operating performance and financial results is perfectly timed to help our clients thrive in the evolving marketplace.”
Mr. Hartig earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from California State University and an MBA from University of Southern California.