An entrepreneur who shaped the world of online journalism
By Katie Neumann
Arianna Huffington’s journey didn’t begin with immediate success, but rather a crushing series of rejections. As a young writer, her second book was rejected by 36 publishers. An experience that may have broken others, but for her, ignited a fire. “She kept moving along, driven by the belief that her voice mattered. That dedication led her to create The Huffington Post in 2005, and launch Thrive Global in 2016.
As a young public relations professional, I am no stranger to rejection. Her story to success is an interesting one, Huffington Post at the time blended traditional journalism with user-generated content. What originally was a political blog site, quickly grew to cover everything from politics, technology, world news and entertainment. Now, the name Huffington is known by many.
Earlier career in journalism
Huffington is a successful businesswoman, prominent media mogul and a prolific best-selling author. After earning an economics degree at the University of Cambridge in 1972, she moved to the United States in the 1980s. Before her entrepreneurial ventures, Huffington was a political commentator and authored several books on politics, health and self-development. In interviews, she emphasizes the importance of truth in political commentary. “There’s such a thing as truth, and if you honor the facts, you can have any opinion you want,” said Huffington. This perspective seems to have shaped her approach to media and public discourse.
Connecting with her audience
Huffington is known for her authenticity. She’s an entrepreneur, but also a thought leader in media – always sharing advice, wisdom and life lessons to those who will listen. Her LinkedIn and X account are prime examples of this. What sets her apart from others is her ability to share personal experiences and connect with people deeply. She makes it clear that storytelling is a powerful tool in shaping how an audience perceives you. In an interview with UPenn’s business journal, she recalls her mother having a profound impact on her way of life. Huffington said her mother always prioritized human connections and now she does the same.
“She lived in that sense of being fully connected with people in a deeper way than we are, which most of the time is pretty shallow,” Huffington said. “Often our connection to human beings takes second place to our connection to our smartphones.”
Dedicated to positive change
After stepping down from Huffington Post in 2016, she created Thrive Global, a company that tackles well-being, sleep deprivation and burnout – topics she is well familiar with. It’s a behavioral change platform with the mission to “redefine productivity through well-being,” according to its site. For PR and journalism professionals, she’s an inspiring figure because her work exemplifies how innovation and leadership can change an entire industry. By advocating for wellness and prioritizing healthy practices, she shows how to balance professional life with personal wellbeing. “Work smarter, not harder,” is the perfect mantra for her brand.
Her proven ability to build brands that have a real impact is what shines though. She’s no longer just a media mogul, but a public relations powerhouse. Huffington is always ahead of the curve it seems. She’s shown us how powerful storytelling and strategic communication can influence public perception. Above all else, I hope to be just as authentic and courageous as her.
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About the author:
Katie Neumann is an aspiring public relations professional in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. She is a senior at the University of North Texas studying public relations, journalism and marketing. Katie is expected to graduate in May 2025 and plans to pursue a career in corporate communications.
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