Roy Schwartz

Roy Schwartz is a media entrepreneur and technology executive recognized as the co-founder and CEO of Axios HQ, an AI-powered internal communications management platform. Schwartz is also a co-founder of Axios, a news organization known for its Smart Brevity writing style. Axios was launched by former Politico journalists Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Schwartz, with Schwartz contributing a business-oriented perspective to the venture.

Before co-founding Axios, Schwartz built a career at the intersection of media and business strategy. At Politico, he served as chief revenue officer and vice president of marketing and business development, where he contributed to revenue growth and oversaw global business strategy and acquisitions. Prior to that, Schwartz worked at The Gallup Organization as a partner, advising Fortune 500 companies on sales, marketing, and human resource strategy, with a focus on employee and customer engagement.

At Axios, Schwartz helped develop a prominent digital news brand. He oversaw company strategy and business operations, served as executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning docu-news series "Axios on HBO," and managed its acquisition by Cox Enterprises. Under his leadership, Axios was recognized by Fast Company as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies and by Washington Business Journal as one of the Fastest Growing Companies. Schwartz has also been named among DCInno's 50 on Fire for marketing and advertising and as a FOLIO 100 Corporate Catalyst.

Schwartz is a published author and commentator on modern communication. "Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less," co-written with Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen, became a Wall Street Journal and USA Today national bestseller. The book outlines a communication formula developed by Axios journalists to prioritize essential news and information, explain its impact, and deliver it concisely and visually. It serves as a resource for executives and communicators seeking to address information overload in the digital age.

Schwartz applies this philosophy at Axios HQ, guiding its transition from Axios Media to a standalone SaaS startup. Axios HQ has achieved significant milestones in annual recurring revenue and expanded its offerings to include integrations with platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams. An expert in digital media, business strategy, and communication, Schwartz is a frequent speaker at industry conferences including SXSW, Min Folio, Digital East, and the Interactive Media Conference, contributing insights on the future of communication, leadership, and the evolving media landscape.