For The Atlantic, a New York Festival Delivers a Record Year

Whereas tickets present one income stream, underwriting stays the most important financial driver. 

The gross sales workforce at The Atlantic pitches the occasion as an enticement to safe bigger offers, providing advertisers one other contact level to achieve Atlantic audiences. Consequently, eight of The Atlantic’s prime 10 promoting companions are shopping for into occasions, based on McKown. 

That positioning has helped push total business income almost 30% larger over the previous two years, though the corporate declined to supply monetary specifics or touch upon its profitability. In 2024, the writer introduced it had turned a profit for the primary time in years, nevertheless it has been investing closely in its editorial operation this 12 months, hiring dozens of high-profile writers.

“Yearly, publishers must work somewhat tougher to draw direct advertisers,” stated eMarketer senior analyst Max Willens. “The Atlantic is wise to focus its gross sales efforts on a high-profile occasion like their competition, as a result of occasions stay a extremely differentiated space the place manufacturers can hook up with shoppers in novel methods”

Past the Atlantic Competition, the writer produces about 25 occasions yearly, starting from vertical-specific summits to non-public salons and roundtables. 

The Atlantic plans to develop that slate in 2026, notably as synthetic intelligence continues to reshape digital engagement, based on McKown.

“Subsequent 12 months, we shall be doubling down on occasions,” McKown stated.