Carlson Named CEO for Wells Media Group
Wells Media Group Chairman Mark Wells announced that Josh Carlson has been named CEO of Wells Media Group, Inc., effective immediately.
Carlson has served as chief technology officer/chief innovation officer of Wells Media Group since 2015. He also serves as a member of the board of directors. Prior to this dual position, he was vice president of technology and has held numerous positions with the company since 2001.
“The future of media is digital,” says Mark Wells. “Josh has proven himself invaluable in our digital efforts. He has a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed in the media business. He is a great asset and will be a terrific CEO.”
Carlson has been instrumental in leading Wells Media Group’s digital growth for nearly two decades.
In 2002, Carlson led efforts to create InsuranceJournal.com’s first digital platform that enabled editors to contribute daily news content from anywhere in the world. At the same time Insurance Journal launched RSS feeds to allow intranets and industry websites to syndicate its news headlines. “These efforts were new in the world of digital publishing at the time,” Carlson said.
In 2004, Carlson helped lead efforts to transform ClaimsJournal.com from a simple guidebook publication into the highest-trafficked claims-industry specific website in the world.
In 2006, Carlson’s team developed MyNewMarkets.com, an online coverage and market resource for insurance agents and brokers that today provides more than 21,000 property/casualty insurance markets with 15,000-plus members.
In 2010, Carlson helped launched Insurance Journal’s Academy of Insurance, which offers P&C professionals education opportunities via interactive webinar sessions.
Then in 2013, Carlson’s team led digital strategies to help launch Wells Media Group’s newest publication, CarrierManagement.com, for P/C insurance company directors and C-suite officers.
“It’s an exciting time for Wells Media Group,” Carlson said. “We have this iconic brand Insurance Journal, but also up-and-coming brands like Carrier Management that are gaining incredible trust and attention in insurance organizations,” he said. “One of the best things about us is our culture; we have amazing people across the board, we’re fun to work with and we do things with excellence.”
Carlson says the future for Wells Media Group will include continued expansion of the firm’s digital capabilities and connecting the firm’s audience to ideas and resources they need. “We have the largest audience in the property/casualty industry online and an incredible platform for the industry to connect,” he said.
Carlson holds a BS in Marketing, Finance from Gannon University. He resides in South Carolina with his wife and two young children. He enjoys running and spending time at the park with his family.
San Diego, Calif.-based Wells Media Group serves the property/casualty insurance industry. In addition to its 97-year-old flagship publication Insurance Journal magazine, Wells Media Group includes: InsuranceJournal.com; Carrier Management website and magazine; ClaimsJournal.com, news and resources for P/C claims professionals; MyNewMarkets.com, an online database of available P/C markets; InsuranceJournal.TV, a media site featuring insurance industry videos and podcasts; and Academy of Insurance, an online learning center for P/C insurance professionals.