July 2023 | WESTMONT, IL — InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce that Ted Olsen has been named associate publisher and editorial director for media and trade books.
Olsen said, “From reading my parents’ copy of John Stott’s Basic Christianity as a kid to reading Carmen Imes’s Being God’s Image last week, I’ve been formed and informed by IVP books. IVP’s reputation for prompting Christians to go deeper and grow deeper is clearly no accident. But it’s not just IVP’s books but also its staff that have shaped me—I know so many men and women there who are curious about the world, committed to the truths revealed in Scripture, and caring toward their coworkers. I’m eager to explore what we can build together.”
With twenty-seven years of experience at Christianity Today (CT), Olsen has had a significant and lasting impact on the development of Christian journalism. Olsen was one of the world’s first religion bloggers. He also served as news editor at CT, managing editor, and editor of The Behemoth (a magazine devoted to awe and wonder). During the past six years Olsen served as CT’s editorial director and most recently as executive editor, spearheading CT’s overall editorial strategy.
In a Twitter post on March 6, Olsen said, “After twenty-seven years and four months—my entire adult life—I feel called to find out what’s next for me after CT. I’m so grateful to have served there from news intern to executive editor.”
In this next step as associate publisher and editorial director, Olsen will oversee the vision for IVP’s trade publishing. He will also be doing trade acquisitions and support editorial initiatives around IVP books. His first day will be Monday, July 10.
“Ted Olsen’s bookshelves reveal that he’s an ideal hire for IVP as his shelves are already filled with our books,” said Cindy Bunch, IVP vice president, editorial. “His theological context and long CT tenure further suggest his compatibility with the vision and work of Christian publishing. And his media background will add depth to the editorial team as we expand into some new publishing areas that will complement our books. I am looking forward to working with Ted at IVP.”
Olsen holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where he currently lives with his wife and two children.
Contact: Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com
