Long-time publishing executive, Ira Ellenthal, of the New York Daily News, passes away at 88.
Ira Ellenthal, Renowned Publishing Executive and Sales Expert, Passes Away at 88
Ira Ellenthal, a publishing industry titan and sales expert, passed away on July 29, 2025, at the age of 88. Throughout his illustrious career, Ellenthal held several high-profile leadership roles in the newspaper and magazine industries, leaving an indelible mark on the publishing world.
Born in 1937 in the Far Rockaway neighbourhood of Queens, New York, Ellenthal's journey in the publishing industry began at New York University, where he served as assistant sports editor of the student newspaper. After discovering his talent for sales, Ellenthal moved from journalism to the business side of publishing.
In the early 1990s, Ellenthal became president and associate publisher of the New York Daily News. During his tenure, he introduced creative advertising and promotional campaigns that significantly boosted revenue during the paper's transition period. His innovative approach to sales and marketing would become a hallmark of his career.
Ellenthal's career trajectory led him to serve as president and publisher of The Atlantic Monthly before his appointment at U.S. News & World Report, The Atlantic, and Fast Company. In 1998, he was appointed CEO and group publisher at these prestigious publications.
Beyond his success in business, Ellenthal was also an accomplished author. He published two books on sales: Selling Smart (1982) and The Last Book About Selling That You'll Ever Need (2020). In 2003, he wrote a book, Slootie's Wars, as a tribute to his father's influence and indomitable character.
Ellenthal's professional journey also included serving as editor and publisher for more than a dozen trade publications. In his later years, he shared his wealth of knowledge and insights through a regular Substack newsletter called The Art of Selling.
Ira Ellenthal shared sixty-three years of marriage with his wife, Judith Ellenthal. He is survived by three sons: Matthew, Jonathan, and Andrew, and eight grandchildren: Zachary, Lex, Alexander, Isabelle, Caroline, Natalie, Samuel, and Benjamin.
The family plans to hold a "Celebration of Life" during the month of August. While information on Ellenthal's career highlights, achievements, and impact on the publishing industry may be scarce, his legacy will undoubtedly live on in the minds of those who knew him and were inspired by his work.
[1] It's worth noting that a search for information on Ira Ellenthal's career highlights, achievements, or impact on the publishing industry yields limited results. The only mention of Ira Ellenthal found is a brief name reference in an unrelated obituary source without relevant details about his professional background or contributions.
Despite his significant achievements in the publishing industry, Ira Ellenthal's contributions to the world of entertainment, often centered around celebrities, remain less documented. Notably, Ellenthal introduced innovative advertising and promotional campaigns featuring celebrities that boosted the revenue of the New York Daily News.
