The Power of Billboard Magazine

Billboard remains the absolute authority for anyone tracking the intersection of music, media, and culture. We are currently in the peak of the season where the publication shines its brightest light on the successes that actually moved the needle this year.

Staying connected to their shifts is mandatory. Revisit our previous breakdowns on the 2024 Billboard Power 100 and the Billboard Women in Music honorees to see how they’ve been stacking the deck.

The 2026 Strategy

Digital-first content is the priority, but the prestige of print is still a major factor in their 2026 rollout. Expect a minimum of 20 print issues this year, specifically built around the high-impact themed editions—Power 100, Women in Music, and the Latin Power issues. These are the editions that define who is in the game and who is on the sidelines.

The Decision Makers: Who to Know

Placing a story or getting a client into the mix requires knowing exactly who is running the room. These are the contacts that matter:

• Mike Van, CEO

  • The Profile: Backed by 25 years in the media business (Pandora, Complex, The Source), Mike oversees the global vision and the massive live event expansions like The Stage at SXSW.

  • Reach him: mike.van@billboard.com | IG: @mikevan

• Hannah Karp, Editorial Director

  • The Profile: Hannah is the engine behind the content strategy. She manages the flow for both print and digital—if it’s a cover story, it passes through her.

  • Reach her: hannah.karp@billboard.com | X: @hannahkarp

• Katie Atkinson, Executive Digital Director

  • The Profile: Katie manages the digital landscape. Reach her for online features, social integration, and digital-exclusive deep-dives.

  • Reach her: katie.atkinson@billboard.com | IG: @katieatkinson13