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Richard Murphy

Editor in Chief, Director at ServiceNow

Professional Background

Richard McGill Murphy is a distinguished executive editor, publisher, and content strategist with a rich tapestry of experience across corporate, startup, and nonprofit sectors. His journey through the layers of media, journalism, and content strategy paints a picture of an entrepreneurial leader who embodies adaptability and innovation. With a career that has garnered respect from peers and clients alike, Richard has repeatedly demonstrated his prowess in shaping the narrative landscape of global media using a blend of his anthropological insights and strategic thinking.

His tenure as Editor in Chief and Director at ServiceNow has allowed Richard to successfully drive the content vision and editorial strategy for a leading digital workflow company, enhancing its messaging and outreach to a global audience. Prior to this, he showcased his editorial leadership as Editor in Chief at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, where he integrated informed storytelling with branding efforts, further solidifying the company's positioning in a competitive market.

At McKinsey & Company, as the Managing Editor, Richard leveraged his analytical and strategic approach to content, shaping impactful narratives that resonated with Fortune 500 companies and beyond. His ability to blend ethnographic techniques with data-driven insights has become a hallmark of his editorial style, making his contributions invaluable to any organization he joins.

Education and Achievements

Richard’s educational background is exceptionally impressive, having studied at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. He received his M.Phil. and D.Phil. in Social Anthropology from the renowned University of Oxford, where he combined rigorous academic research with practical field experience in South Asia. This ethnographic insight informs his approach to media, ensuring that content is not only compelling but also culturally attuned and sensitive to diverse audiences.

Before his academic achievements at Oxford, Richard completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, earning an AB magna cum laude in Literature. This grounding in the humanities has equipped him with a profound understanding of narrative construction and storytelling, which he utilizes across various platforms and mediums.

His commitment to excellence is evident not only in his educational credentials but also through his professional journey. Richard founded Walled City Media LLC, where he served as Managing Partner, fostering innovative media solutions and delivering compelling content strategies. Beyond this, he has contributed his expertise as a Chief Content Officer at Social Media Today LLC and as an editorial leader at Time Inc., experiences which have further enriched his extensive background in media.

Richard's contributions extend to notable publications, including his work as a contributing writer and editor at Fortune Magazine, where he offered insightful perspectives on business and culture. He has also served as Editorial and Program Director at the Committee to Protect Journalists, advocating for freedom of expression and the protection of journalists, solidifying his commitment to vital social issues.

Achievements

Richard McGill Murphy's notable achievements are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the media industry. His editorial acumen has not only transformed organizational narratives but has also resulted in content strategies that resonate with diverse global audiences.

1. Executive Leadership: - As an executive leader, Richard has played pivotal roles in various high-profile organizations, where his strategic insights have directly contributed to enhancing brand visibility and content engagement. His leadership at ServiceNow and Hewlett Packard Enterprise has been instrumental in shaping editorial practices that align with corporate goals.

2. Advocacy in Journalism: - Richard's commitment to safeguarding journalistic integrity can be seen through his role at the Committee to Protect Journalists. As Editorial and Program Director, he championed initiatives to protect journalists in perilous situations and promoted essential dialogues around press freedom, illustrating his dedication not just to media but to ethical practices within it.

3. Entrepreneurial Ventures: - As the founder of Walled City Media LLC, Richard has successfully leveraged his extensive knowledge in anthropology and content strategy to create a media company that emphasizes thoughtful, researched content. His entrepreneurial spirit shines through in his work, showcasing his ability to navigate and thrive in varied contexts.

4. Academic Contributions: - Richard's scholarly work in social anthropology complements his professional endeavors. His research insights, particularly focused on South Asia, have enriched his approach to storytelling and media strategy, further enhancing his position as a thought leader in the sp

Highlights

Aug 8 · linkedin

I'm very happy to announce that ServiceNow's Workflow Quarterly publication took home the Best B2B Publication honor in this year's CMI Content Marketing Awards. This was a fitting coda for Workflow Quarterly, which we sunsetted last year after a successful five-year run.

We were a finalist in five other categories: -Best Content Marketing Program in Technology -Best Agency/Client Partnership (ServiceNow/MessageLab) -Best Use of Original Research (2023 Global Skills Forecast) -Best Interview or Profile (Yoshua Bengio Q&A w/ Nicolas Chapados) -Best Special Topic Issue ("Put AI to Work")

Deep thanks to the Content Marketing Institute for recognizing this work. Kudos to the Workflow Quarterly team, especially Tim Catts, Stuart Luman and Evan Ramzipoor. Shoutout to our brilliant agency partners at Message Lab, Thought Lab and Barretto. And thanks to all the ServiceNow colleagues who helped make Workflow Quarterly great! Jessica Buckley Jim Lesser Colin Fleming Kenny Chan Ben Worthen Steve Barretto Lou Celi Riva Froymovich Jason Stolarczyk

Aug 7 · linkedin

In this thoughtful Forbes article, my ServiceNow colleague Brian Solis digs deep into the findings of our recent Enterprise AI Maturity Index study, conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics. Brian was a key contributor to the research methodology, which is based on an AI maturity model developed by his team for use in our customer engagements.

One of our core research insights is that enterprises creating the most value from AI adoption (we call them AI Pacesetters) are developing entirely new modes of work based on partnership between humans and intelligent machines.

Money quote from Brian's piece: AI Pacesetters are "more than four times as likely (54% vs. 12% of other companies in the survey) to invest in new ways of working designed from scratch, with human-AI collaboration baked in from the onset."

Related Questions

How did Richard McGill Murphy develop his expertise in content strategy and media leadership?
In what ways has Richard’s anthropological background influenced his approach to editorial work?
What are some specific strategies Richard McGill Murphy employed to enhance brand visibility at ServiceNow?
How has Richard leveraged his experience in both corporate and nonprofit sectors throughout his career?
What innovative practices did Richard implement during his time as Editor in Chief at Hewlett Packard Enterprise?
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Location

San Francisco Bay Area