Brian Kelly

Born in 1954 in New Jersey, Brian Kelly is an American journalist and author with a significant career in media. He cultivated his journalistic skills early, editing publications at his high school and Georgetown University, where he earned a degree in economics. His professional journey began at the Red Bank Register, followed by roles at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he covered business, politics, and economics.

Kelly later moved to Washington, D.C., to lead Regardie's magazine before joining The Washington Post. At The Post, he held senior editorial positions, including deputy editor for Style and 'Outlook,' and managed congressional and national news coverage. In 1998, he transitioned to U.S. News & World Report, initially as an assistant managing editor. He played a crucial role in the magazine's weekly production, its website, and its renowned college rankings. Kelly has since expanded the scope of these rankings to include other areas like high schools and hospitals. He also spearheaded the shift to a digital-first publishing model for the magazine in 2009, a move credited with the company's turnaround. He has been the Editor in Chief and Chief Content Officer of U.S. News & World Report since 2007.

Brian Kelly's extensive career in journalism began in 1976. After early experience at the Red Bank Register, he moved to the Chicago Sun-Times, where he served as an assistant business editor and lead reporter, focusing on politics and economics. His leadership in the media landscape continued in Washington, D.C., as the editor of Regardie's magazine from 1985 to 1992. He then joined The Washington Post, rising through the ranks to become a senior editor. At The Post, Kelly held significant editorial roles, including deputy editor for the Style section and the 'Outlook' opinion section, and later managed coverage of the U.S. Congress as congressional editor before becoming national editor, ensuring high standards in political and national news reporting.

Kelly's tenure at U.S. News & World Report, which began in 1998 as assistant managing editor, marked a pivotal phase in his career. He was instrumental in the weekly publication of the magazine and oversaw the development of its online presence, USNews.com. A key aspect of his work involved the expansion and management of the 'America's Best Colleges' rankings, which he broadened to encompass other vital areas such as Best High Schools, Best Hospitals, and Best Health Plans. In a significant strategic shift in 2009, Kelly made the decision to move away from regular print publication in favor of a digital publishing model. This forward-thinking approach was crucial in revitalizing the company's performance.

Beyond his extensive editorial work, Brian Kelly is the author of several books. His early writing includes 'Amazon' (1985), co-authored with Mark London, which explored the rapidly changing rainforest environment. He also co-authored 'The Four Little Dragons' (1990), examining the economic growth of four Asian economies in the late 1980s. His more recent works delve into political and environmental themes. 'Adventures in Porkland' (1992) offered an analysis of the misuse of the 1990 congressional budget. In 2007, he released 'The Last Forest: The Amazon in the age of globalization,' a follow-up to his earlier book on the Amazon, written again with Mark London, reflecting on the region two decades later.