Outside adds first chief content officer

BOULDER — Outside Interactive Inc. has named Amy DuBois Barnett as the company’s first chief content officer. She will oversee the company’s more than 30 media brands. 

A press statement from the company said that Barnett will direct editorial operations for all Outside titles — including Outside TV, Outside magazine, Backpacker, Yoga Journal, Clean Eating, SKI, VeloNews, National Park Trips, Triathlete, Pinkbike, Climbing, and more. She will report to the CEO and work with the executive team and leadership of each content vertical.

She also will be responsible for growing Outside’s presence through awareness building, subscriber acquisition and external partner and contributor management. 

“Outside has experienced enormous growth over the past year. Amy’s results-driven outlook and impressive media expertise are exactly what we need to drive Outside+ membership growth and further unite our diverse family of brands,” Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside, said in the press statement. “I’m confident her outstanding record of growing audiences through innovative content will be an incredible asset to Outside’s goal to transform the media model.” 

“Outside has the opportunity to be the globally recognized leading innovator in outdoor activity and healthy lifestyle,” Barnett said. “I hope to build an international community centered around curated, best-in-class content across multiple platforms for athletes, passionate outdoor adventurers, and all people who are interested in living an active and healthy lifestyle.” 

Barnett previously worked at Paramount, where she served as senior vice president and general manager of BET Digital. Prior to Paramount, she was executive vice president of digital at Entertainment Studios. In 2016, she was recruited for a senior executive position at ESPN. Barnett has also served as editor-in-chief of Ebony, Teen People and Honey Magazine, and deputy editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar.

On a personal level, Barnett has trekked the Andes, shot Class V rapids on the Zambezi, kayaked to a glacier in Iceland and visited 34 national parks. She holds a masters of fine arts from Columbia University and a bachelors from Brown University.

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