Longtime National Geographic marketing and communications exec Chris Albert, known for his stylish sartorial choices themed to the channel’s various events (and spawning the social media hashtag “#wearischris”), is departing the company after more than two decades.
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The exec will oversee Nat Geo’s presence at the D23 confab this weekend, and then plans to exit after Labor Day, when his current contract expires. “This is obviously a very bittersweet decision, but I am truly excited about the future,” he wrote to staffers. “My two decades at this company have been marked by so many incredible memories and accomplishments, but what I am most proud of is this team that we have assembled, many of us working together for more than a decade.”
Albert is believed to have been planning his exit for some time, and the news is unrelated to last week’s announcement that National Geographic would lay off 60 employees, or about 13% of its team.
Albert was most recently exec VP, marketing and communications for National Geographic, handing consumer and trade marketing and communications strategies for National Geographic Content, which includes the magazine, digital and its linear channels (Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo) and National Geographic Documentary Films. That oversight also included Nat Geo-branded global unscripted series and specials produced for Disney+ and Hulu.
His oversight also included events, talent relations and photo. Until last year, he also oversaw comms for Disney Branded Television, before transitioning back full time to Nat Geo in an expanded role.
Here is a note that Albert just sent to his team.
To My Nat Geo Team-
I wanted to share some news with you today.
After an incredible 20+ years at National Geographic, I will be leaving after Labor Day when my current contract expires. This is obviously a very bittersweet decision, but I am truly excited about the future.
My two decades at this company have been marked by so many incredible memories and accomplishments, but what I am most proud of is this team that we have assembled, many of us working together for more than a decade.
What you all accomplish each and every day always amazes me, and I am forever grateful for the many experiences we have shared.
As I was thinking back about the past 20 years and what I wanted to say in this note, I was flooded with so many great memories and proud moments, that it would be impossible to share them all. But below are a few personal career highlights that I believe we all share:
• Winning the Oscar for “Free Solo” (not to mention seven Emmys too!), working with Chai and Jimmy and launching our Nat Geo Doc Films banner.
• The premiere of “Jane” at the Hollywood Bowl for 17,000 guests (a first for a doc!).
• Our Valentine’s Day campaign for Fire of Love – and our premiere at The Louvre!
• Launching our scripted business and securing 10 Emmy noms for the first season of “Genius,” which really took the industry by surprise.
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• Hosting a press junket and screening on the top deck of a US Navy Aircraft Carrier in San Diego.
• Winning PR Team of the Year – twice! – among many accolades for the incredible work of this team.
• Organizing the first ever film premiere at Abbey Road Studios in London
• Our first appearance at New York Fashion Week for “Queens” – complete with holograms! (“Queens” also ranks as one of our campaigns I am most proud of in my tenure at Nat Geo!)
• Decades of industry-leading initiatives supporting the environment and wildlife, including the most recent launch of the company-wide Earth Day initiative, ourHOME.
Through each of these, we persevered against the odds, raised the profile of this brand, and continually exceeded expectations.
But what even resonates more is the profound ability of this brand to truly make a difference in the world – I think of our work with such inspirations as Dr. Amani from “The Cave,” Dr. McCalla from “Science Fair,” and more recently Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie Kyagulanyi from “Bobi Wine The People’s President.” Getting to know these extraordinary individuals and have the honor to work alongside them has forever changed my life, and I am better for it.
I also would be remiss not to mention my good friend Cesar Millan. Cesar and I started at Nat Geo at almost the same time – in the spring of 2004. To see his success and be by his side all these years has been a real gift (and I have him to thank for finding the true love of my life, my rescue dog Miami :).
I am excited for my new adventures ahead (stay tuned for more on that), which I will begin after taking some time to travel and spend more time with my family (and who knows, maybe I will even get a new headshot!).
I look forward to connecting with each of you individually before I leave and will be on hand to help complete our work on D23 (cannot wait for everyone to see the Hexadome!), Central Park, the launch of OceanXplorers, Telluride, and our IMAX release of FLY.
I know our paths will cross again, and no matter what the future brings, I will always be rooting for you.
So, this will not be goodbye, but rather just until we meet again. (And I will always be a phone call, text, or Instagram DM away for anything you need).
Much love and respect,
Chris
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