Brian Ernst

Seasoned and results-driven Global Business Development Executive with extensive experience managing complex, end-to-end strategic partnerships across diverse industries. Proven success in negotiating and leading high-value deals in Generative AI, Mobile Consumer Electronics, Telecom, ECommerce/Retail, Financial Services, Entertainment, Content Distribution, and Technology agreements. Adept at navigating multifaceted business environments, aligning cross functional teams, and driving global growth through innovative deal structuring and long-term relationship building. Skilled in identifying emerging market opportunities and delivering scalable, revenue-generating initiatives across B2B and B2C ecosystems.

FORTUNE MAGAZINE                                                                                New York, NY
Head of Business Development & Media Distribution                                         April 2022 – Present

• Spearheaded, negotiated, and closed multiple strategic Generative AI partnerships with Perplexity, Prorata, Amazon AI, ChatGPT, Tollbit, and Particle, positioning FORTUNE at the forefront of AI-driven media innovation.
• Defined and executed the business development strategy and vision, collaborating cross-functionally to prioritize product roadmaps; led P&L for new revenue initiatives, driving $6.5M in incremental growth within two years.
• Built and scaled referral partnerships, contributing 23% of total traffic to Fortune.com, with key alliances including Google Discover, YouTube, Yahoo, SmartNews, Newsbreak, LinkedIn, and MSN.
• Launched and managed global licensing and content distribution deals with The New York Times, Reuters, Getty, SendToNews, Samsung, and Spotify to expand FORTUNE’s reach across platforms and audiences.
• Partnered with senior leadership on go-to-market and platform strategies across Mobile, Paywall, OTT, Podcasting, FAST Channels, Gaming, and Video to diversify revenue and audience engagement.
• Conceptualized and led FORTUNE’s inaugural Men’s Health Awareness Month initiative in partnership with Movember, aligning editorial and brand values with cause marketing.

BLOOMBERG                                                                                                 New York, NY
Head of Business Development for Mobile & Media Distribution                      April 2012 – Nov 2021

• Led global content licensing and third-party partnership strategy for Bloomberg.com and Businessweek.com, driving incremental revenue, traffic growth, enhanced product functionality, and operational efficiencies.
• Architected and scaled a digital business development strategy that grew partner-driven revenue 15x, ultimately contributing 10% of total digital revenue.
• Negotiated and managed hundreds of high-impact partnerships with global platforms and tech leaders including, Google, Apple, YouTube, Amazon, Comscore, Roku, Samsung, Netflix, and Meta (Facebook/Instagram), as well as top-tier media outlets such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and ESPN.
• Pioneered initiatives to license Bloomberg Terminal content to financial publishers and managed strategic post-sale relationships; brokered distribution deals for Bloomberg’s photos, video assets, and raw editorial content.
• Consistently recognized for performance excellence, earning “Distinguished” ratings nine years in a row and receiving Bloomberg’s “Do the Right Thing Award” for exceptional leadership on the multi-million dollar MSN partnership.

THE NEW YORK TIMES.COM                                                                   New York, NY
Vice President of Business Development                                                        May 2006 – April 2012

• Led the structuring and negotiation of over 300 strategic agreements that shaped the foundational ecosystem of NYTimes.com, spanning partnerships across product, advertising, marketing, analytics, mobile, legal, technology, and editorial teams.
• Collaborated with senior leadership to develop and execute growth strategies that drove digital revenue and improved operational efficiency across multiple business units.
• Initiated and negotiated key partnerships with major content, technology, and platform providers, including Reuters, AP, Google, Facebook, Foursquare, Groupon, Expedia, Getty, Nate Silver, Freakonomics, Bloomberg, Monster.com, and Brightcove.
• Played a lead role in the relaunch of multiple content verticals, overseeing market sizing, revenue modeling, vendor selection, usability testing, and content acquisition in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Evaluated strategic acquisition and partnership opportunities; presented comprehensive business cases and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Served as a core working group member in developing and launching the NYTimes.com paid meter model in 2011—a foundational shift in the company’s digital subscription strategy.

STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, New York University                                                New York, NY

Master of Business Administration                                                                                 

Dual major in Information Systems and Management with a co-major in Operations Management

• Received a certificate for successful completion of the Digital Economy Initiative.
• Published Work: “Shaking Hands with Handspring.” Stern Case Study.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY                                                                    State College, PA

Bachelor of Science