The WSJ Doubles Down on Its $25,000 Membership Programs

The flagship CEO Council stays the most important, with 358 members, adopted by smaller communities of CFOs, CIOs, compliance officers, and now, board administrators and chief folks officers.

The packages cater to extremely senior executives and embody entry to in-person summits, international dinners, digital roundtables, and off-the-record conversations designed to facilitate peer-to-peer studying. 

Whereas the Journal doesn’t disclose income figures, the membership program is pacing 20% forward of its new member development targets this fiscal yr, in response to Stinchcomb, and occasion sponsorship is monitoring towards double-digit positive aspects.

The Management Institute generates income by means of sponsorship (60%) and membership (40%), in response to Stinchcomb. However because the division grows, it hopes to flip its income make-up in order that membership drives the majority of its earnings.

With regards to sponsorship, this system is aware of how manufacturers work together with its members. They have to be friends, for instance, sending representatives in the identical job operate as council members to protect the integrity of the peer studying mannequin.

“[The Leadership Institute] delivers two issues for the Journal: a reputational halo impact and elevated buyer lock-in, particularly for company subscriptions,” Watson mentioned. “It creates extra predictable annual money move whereas deepening ties with influential enterprise audiences.”

The Management Institute is worthwhile, however beneath Murray, it has expanded its devoted headcount from 17 to 25.

The workforce additionally produces devoted content material, together with a brand new CEO publication, real-time government polling, and an upcoming video and podcast sequence that includes enterprise leaders.

“With the breakneck tempo of change executives need to cope with, from AI to tariffs and the market, executives are extra determined than ever for alternatives to study from each other,” Stinchcomb mentioned. “We see a possibility to service that want.”