I’m Heather Dietrick, CEO of the Daily Beast, and This Is How I Work
Heather Dietrick used to run this establishment. Dietrick was the beloved president of Lifehacker’s parent company, Gizmodo Media Group, before leaving in 2017 to join the Daily Beast as CEO. In keeping with the How I Work tradition of interviewing our past and current colleagues, we spoke to her about pursuing a First Amendment career in law and business.
Location: New York, NY. Current job site: CEO, The Daily Beast. Current mobile device: iPhone 7. Current computer: MacBook Air.
First of all, tell us a little about your past and how you got where you are now.
When I was in college, I thought I wanted to become a journalist, but I ended up falling in love with the law. I enrolled at the University of Michigan for a JD / MBA and then focused on figuring out how to put the First Amendment Act into practice, which is a fairly small area that is difficult to penetrate. After working as a clerk for a federal judge, working for several law firms practicing First Amendment and Intellectual Property, and receiving a First Amendment Fellowship at Hearst, I went to Gawker Media to create and lead a legal team.
Shortly after I joined Gawker, I became more active in running the business and eventually became president of the company. Fast forward through a trial with too many twists and turns to list here, and our sale of most of Gawker Univision’s assets (a story that Lifehacker knows well), and I knew I was ready to find my next career move. While I enjoyed practicing law and defending journalists and their stories, I was even more focused on the media business and building a successful business with truly meaningful and impressive content. With that in mind, a little less than a year ago, I became CEO of the Daily Beast.
Tell us about a recent work day. What does digital media governance look like up close?
Yesterday I started by jogging (I really can’t start the day without endorphins!), Met over breakfast with the other CEO of the publishing house, discussed the new product launch with our business development leader, held a management meeting to strategize. on some of our new initiatives with department heads to keep everyone on the same page, dined with one of our writers, met with my leadership team throughout the day to make decisions on major projects, and dined at an industry trade association event.
What apps, gadgets or tools can’t you live without?
My phone, calendar, Parse.ly to keep track of traffic, ecobee (an app that allows you to remotely change the temperature in your home).
How is your workplace arranged?
I’m a neat freak, so my desk is usually organized with only my essentials – my computer, the documents I’m currently working on, sticky tabs (I can’t live without them!) And stickers – upstairs. Everything else is put in a box or file.
I have a real office with a door, which I haven’t had for many years and which I didn’t prefer at first because I like being around the people I work with, but I came to love it because it’s big enough to served as an impromptu conference room and my colleagues always came and went for meetings and brainstorming sessions.
What’s the best shortcut or life hack for you (no matter how small or niche), or a great rule of thumb for your office?
Take on the little things right away before you have to write them down. Move it out of the way to make room for more interesting, longer-lasting projects.
Tell us about an interesting, unusual, or challenging process you have at work.
I try to find time almost every day to spend time with someone in a company I don’t usually work with. This is a great way to find stars you never knew existed and understand where there are obstacles so you can remove them.
Who are the people who help you achieve results, and how do you rely on them?
My leadership team is the best. A large part of my job is to help them succeed and make their teams better.
How do you keep track of what you need to do?
It’s so old-fashioned, but I usually have a couple of stickers throughout the day. Sometimes I jump into the twenty-first century and make a list on my phone, but usually it’s stickers.
How to recharge or take a break from work?
I almost always spend my weekend at the beach in Montauk, even in winter. It makes it clear to me that I see the ocean and walk the trails with three loved ones of my life, my husband Dan and my two Sato Project puppies Jack and Lola.
What are you reading now or what do you recommend?
All the light we can’t see : I’m a little late for this one, but it was one of the most beautifully written novels I’ve read in years.
Who else would you like to see to answer these same questions?
Nancy Dubuk.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Embark on the lifelong cultivation path.
What are you still trying to solve?
Federal Reporter Privilege.