Christie Hefner, former chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises Inc., will visit Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications on Wednesday, Nov. 4. She will speak on “Transforming a Business, Transforming a Life” at 7:30 p.m. in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium in Newhouse 3. Her talk is free and open to the public. Parking is available in SU pay lots.
As chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises Inc. from 1988- 2008, Hefner oversaw the global expansion of Playboy’s legendary brand to a wide array of new platforms and markets, transforming a domestic publishing-based business into a global multimedia and lifestyle company. Under her leadership, the company saw the development of a profitable television business as well as Playboy.com, which made Playboy the first national magazine on the World Wide Web.
Since stepping down, Hefner has been working with the Center for American Progress and appearing regularly on cable news to talk about business and public policy. She is also working with the Columbia Journalism Review to increase its influence and effectiveness both as a media watchdog and as an ally in the effort to find new business models for journalism. In addition, she is developing a new brand-licensing business for Canyon Ranch Health Resorts.
The first woman elected to the Chicago chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization, Hefner helped found the Committee of 200, an international organization of pre-eminent women business owners and executives. She currently sits on the Council of National Advisors for Springboard Enterprises, which supports women-led growth ventures, and has long worked to advance women; elect progressive candidates; and advance treatment for people with HIV/AIDS. She also works on First Amendment issues.
For more information about Hefner’s visit, contact Janet Anthony at (315) 443-9251 or jcanthon@syr.edu.
