Who is Nicholas Thompson?

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Nicholas Thompson: Championing Innovation, Dialogue, and Digital Wisdom

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Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, where he steers editorial strategy, digital transformation, and public engagement. Before joining The Atlantic, he served as editor-in-chief of Wired, overseeing its coverage of technology’s influence on society. At The New Yorker, he launched the publication’s digital presence and covered topics including surveillance and political transparency. His leadership across legacy and digital media has shaped the way institutions report on innovation and ethics.

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He is a record-holding ultramarathon runner, currently holding the American record in the 50K race. Thompson frequently uses his athletic discipline to draw leadership parallels, often sharing lessons from endurance sports on mindset, pacing, and self-reflection. His fitness content, while secondary, reinforces a lifestyle anchored in consistency and growth. This unique combination of CEO responsibilities and competitive athletics distinguishes his brand voice.

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His posts regularly highlight breakthroughs in AI, climate tech, and digital policy, filtered through his direct experience managing tech-driven media operations. He co-founded SpeakEasy AI, a platform focused on fostering civil discourse through artificial intelligence. Thompson doesn't just report on innovation—he builds within it. This duality as both an executive and entrepreneur shapes his commentary and partnerships.

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On social media, he maintains a consistent publishing cadence, particularly on LinkedIn, where he shares bite-sized thought leadership before 5 PM EST nearly every day. His newsletter, The Best Things to Read, curates articles across science, society, and media, underscoring his role as a cultural gatekeeper. His presence is not geared for virality but for repeated, reliable value. This has earned him a loyal following of professionals who value consistency over clickbait.

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An Influencer Active on Social Media

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Nicholas Thompson maintains a strong presence on LinkedIn and X, with additional activity on Instagram and TikTok, effectively combining thought leadership with niche audience targeting.

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Nicholas' Social Media Strategy Analysis

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LinkedIn: A Leadership Anchor for Tech and Media Conversations

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Nicholas Thompson’s LinkedIn strategy centers on early-morning publishing, with posts typically going live at 4 PM EST daily. He shares high-frequency updates—35 per month—that reflect his dual roles in journalism and technology leadership. His content often unpacks behind-the-scenes decisions at The Atlantic, personal insights from competitive running, and lessons from interviews with major tech figures. This blend of professional transparency and personal grit drives his reputation as a credible, consistent voice.

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His posts often include original commentary rather than reshared articles, creating higher perceived authority and direct audience engagement. He uses LinkedIn’s format to share concise reflections that range from AI policy to magazine cover design, offering insight that isn’t easily found elsewhere. When referencing external sources, he typically contextualizes them through his editorial lens. This habit builds trust with readers looking for informed curation, not just links.

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Thompson’s audience includes tech founders, media executives, and policy analysts, who actively interact with his updates. His low engagement rate (0.02%) is offset by sheer reach—he averages 112.8K views per post, signaling impact beyond surface-level metrics. He avoids gimmicks and trends in favor of long-term resonance with knowledge-seeking professionals. His consistency is more aligned with editorial cadence than influencer virality.

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He rarely promotes products directly but has a clear alignment with institutional campaigns, especially in media literacy and tech ethics. LinkedIn remains his most structured channel, designed more for publishing than conversation. It functions like a personal op-ed stream, establishing him as a digital editor-in-chief for his own audience. The format rewards his journalistic tone and reinforces his standing in executive networks.

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• ‍Username: @nicholasxthompson‍
• Influence Score: 97.2/100‍
• Followers: 1.6M‍
• Activity: 35 posts/month‍
• Engagement Rate: 0.02%‍
• Growth: +0.02%‍
• Average Engagement: 358‍
• Posting Habits: Everyday at 4 PM EST

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X (Twitter): Real-Time Commentary with a Professional Edge

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On X, Thompson engages in real-time dialogue with tech leaders, journalists, and public thinkers. He tweets 8.4 times per week and often replies to breaking news or policy updates with brief but informed takes. Unlike his LinkedIn posts, his tweets frequently contain humor or light personal anecdotes, adding a human layer to his professional insights. This platform serves as his outlet for more spontaneous, in-the-moment communication.

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He doesn’t rely on viral threads or meme formats. Instead, his Twitter presence reflects a newsroom mindset—he comments quickly on unfolding events with context that leverages his editorial experience. He often tags other thought leaders, including journalists, academics, and AI researchers, positioning himself as a connector. His follower base of 124.1K includes many blue-checked professionals, furthering that peer-level credibility.

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Despite a negative growth rate (-0.08%), his average engagement of 135 shows that he maintains a steady core of active readers. His style avoids sensationalism, even when responding to controversial topics. Instead, he maintains a measured, almost reporter-like tone, especially in response to policy announcements or tech company news. This balance helps him retain authority during periods of social media volatility.

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He posts daily around midnight, timing his updates to hit early risers or international readers. His tweets often link back to his Atlantic work, newsletter content, or external research, providing continuity across platforms. Twitter complements his LinkedIn by offering immediacy without sacrificing professionalism. For readers looking for fast, smart takes, his feed offers dependable signal in a noisy space.

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• ‍Username: @nxthompson‍
• Influence Score: 77.3/100‍
• Followers: 124.1K‍
• Activity: 8.4 tweets/week‍
• Engagement Rate: 0.11%‍
• Growth: -0.08%‍
• Average Engagement: 135‍
• Posting Habits: Everyday at 11 PM EST

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Instagram: Highlights from a CEO’s Personal and Athletic Life

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Thompson’s Instagram presence is limited but intentional, with only two posts per month. He uses the platform to archive highlights: keynote appearances, feature stories, magazine covers, or running achievements. Unlike influencers who post polished lifestyle content, his feed acts more like a personal portfolio, capturing high-value moments rather than everyday life. It serves as a supplementary space to his primary platforms.

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His captions are often succinct and informative, matching his journalistic tone. Posts tend to avoid filters or visual gimmicks, favoring clean images tied to his speaking events, awards, or articles. His followers (15.3K) engage at a relatively high rate of 1.3%, showing that while his audience is smaller, they are meaningfully connected. His content appeals most to those already familiar with his editorial work.

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The platform lacks the volume or energy of his other accounts, but it reinforces his credibility through visual storytelling. When he shares athletic milestones—like a race win or personal best—it’s usually accompanied by a thoughtful lesson or insight. These moments give followers a glimpse into the mindset behind his leadership. Instagram doesn’t drive his influence, but it adds texture to his digital identity.

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He posts early in the morning, aligning with his cross-platform habit of consistency. His usage suggests no intent to build a mass following here. Instead, it reflects brand reinforcement—an image-centric reflection of his public work. For collaborators or event organizers, it offers a visual archive of his most notable appearances and achievements.

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• ‍Username: @nxthompson‍
• Influence Score: 63.7/100‍
• Followers: 15.3K‍
• Activity: 2 posts/month‍
• Engagement Rate: 1.3%‍
• Growth: +0.56%‍
• Average Engagement: 199‍
• Posting Habits: Twice a month at 5 PM EST

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TikTok: A Glimpse into Experiments with Short-Form Video

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Nicholas Thompson’s TikTok activity is minimal but intriguing. He posts once a week at 5 PM EST, typically sharing short-form reflections related to technology, running, or big ideas from The Atlantic. Unlike his longform content elsewhere, these videos are direct-to-camera musings that aim to distill complex topics quickly. His approach shows curiosity in adapting traditional thought leadership to Gen Z-leaning formats.

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With only 1.9K followers, TikTok represents his smallest audience, yet it holds his highest engagement rate at 6.76%. His average video receives 2.4K views and 131 engagements, indicating strong per-post resonance. He doesn’t use trending sounds or platform-native humor—instead, he experiments with earnest, idea-driven clips. This aligns with his broader focus on high-signal discourse across platforms.

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The content style is raw but informative, often shot in informal settings with no editing frills. Topics range from AI regulation to lessons learned from distance running, each framed with clarity and purpose. He doesn’t speak “at” the TikTok audience but rather adapts his tone to feel conversational and sincere. This positioning could enable future growth if he increases consistency.

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His presence here is clearly exploratory—testing what works without making TikTok a strategic cornerstone. Still, it offers a refreshing contrast to the platform’s usual fare and may resonate with younger professionals or students. If scaled, it could help bridge generational gaps in his audience and introduce his thought leadership to new communities.

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• ‍Username: @nxthompson‍
• Influence Score: 60.9/100‍
• Followers: 1.9K‍
• Activity: 1 video/week‍
• Engagement Rate: 6.76%‍
• Growth: +9.64%‍
• Average Engagement: 131‍
• Posting Habits: Once a week at 5 PM EST

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Newsletter: "The Best Things to Read" – A Weekly Curated Thought Feed

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Nicholas Thompson’s Substack newsletter, The Best Things to Read, has amassed a dedicated following of over 472,000 readers. Each edition is a carefully curated selection of articles spanning technology, media, science, and cultural commentary. Rather than chasing headlines, Thompson focuses on long-form journalism, emerging thought pieces, and research-based writing that may not trend but carries lasting value. This curation reflects his editorial pedigree and instinct for quality storytelling.

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His selections often come with brief introductions that contextualize the piece—why it matters, who should read it, and how it ties into larger conversations. Thompson draws from a diverse range of sources, from academic journals and niche publications to major outlets like The Atlantic, Wired, and The New Yorker. This breadth gives readers access to material they might not otherwise encounter. The format rewards both casual readers and professionals looking to deepen their understanding of current events and trends.

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The tone of the newsletter remains thoughtful but conversational, allowing it to feel accessible without sacrificing intellectual rigor. Thompson avoids jargon or abstract summaries, instead offering plainspoken insights into why a piece resonates. He also occasionally weaves in personal notes about running, leadership, or his behind-the-scenes work at The Atlantic. These glimpses into his mindset add personality and continuity across his content platforms.

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Most significantly, the newsletter serves as an anchor for his digital presence—offering depth beyond the brevity of social media. In contrast to platforms optimized for speed and reaction, The Best Things to Read invites weekly reflection. Readers return for a trusted voice who filters information through experience and judgment, not algorithms. It has become not just a reading list, but a ritual for thousands seeking relevance, nuance, and clarity.

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Nicholas Thompson's Social Media Influence Summary

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With an overall Favikon Influence Score of 8,542 points, Nicholas Thompson ranks in the Top 1% on LinkedIn U.S. (#142) and Top 2% among CEOs & Tech Leaders U.S. (#21). These metrics reflect not just high visibility but a reliable level of content activity and audience trust across sectors. He also holds influential proximity to thought leaders like Reid Hoffman, Yuval Noah Harari, and major institutions like PwC and WIRED. This tightly connected network further elevates his visibility among high-value professional audiences.

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Learn more about the Favikon Methodology here

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Content Strategy: Expertise Shared with Personal Insight

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Thompson’s content strikes a balance between leadership authority and personal authenticity. He publishes frequently on professional platforms while selectively maintaining lower-key visibility on personal apps. His focus is clear: tech ethics, media integrity, athletic discipline, and social progress. He rarely posts viral content for its own sake. Instead, he builds audience loyalty through consistency, reflection, and relevance. Topics often link across his platforms—what appears as a tech analysis on LinkedIn may be summarized in a tweet or expanded through his newsletter.

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Reachability and Partnerships

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Nicholas Thompson is highly reachable through professional channels, particularly LinkedIn, where he posts daily and engages with over 1.6M followers. His consistent publishing schedule at 4 PM EST. signals reliability and responsiveness within business hours. He is known to amplify relevant content from peers and reply to thoughtful commentary, especially in tech and media circles. His platform presence supports partnerships that value informed dialogue over promotion-heavy formats.

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He is especially open to brand collaborations that align with his values—tech for good, education access, and digital ethics. His history with PricewaterhouseCoopers and SpeakEasy AI shows a pattern of engaging in partnerships that require thought leadership, not just visibility. With a brand safety score marked “Very Safe,” Thompson presents low reputational risk for mission-driven campaigns. He offers strategic value to organizations seeking both reach and intellectual alignment.

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Conclusion: Nicholas Thompson and the Thought Economy

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Nicholas Thompson’s digital presence exemplifies what tech leadership looks like in public: credible, active, thoughtful, and focused on value. His blend of journalism, athleticism, and advocacy gives his content a rare level of specificity and personal commitment. With his newsletter, strong LinkedIn authority, and meaningful partnerships, he remains a trusted voice for professionals seeking informed perspectives on tech and society. For brands, collaborators, and readers alike, Thompson represents thoughtful visibility—not just reach.

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