Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who bought the The Washington Post back in 2013 for $250 million, ushered in a new era at the paper during today’s grand opening of their “modernized” offices.
According to the Post, Bezos joined VIPs like Secretary of State John Kerry at the “digital ribbon cutting”—which, yes, did include virtual scissors cutting a virtual red ribbon from the building’s face.
The new building has tools like video studios and audio booths, according to the paper’s publisher and CEO, Fred Ryan. He noted that it’s a far cry from the previous offices, which were build to accommodate printing presses.
The Post reported that Bezos considered buying their old building before settling on this new space. “A lot of history had happened there — a lot of nostalgia,” Bezos told the Post. “But it was a better idea to move. I’m a huge fan of leaning into the future.… Too much glamorizing of the past would certainly lead to paralysis.”
The Post also reported that Bezos has pushed for the paper to increase its focus on digital news— and if today’s ribbon cutting is any indication, that journey has already begun.
Previously on GeekWire: The Bezos Effect: How Amazon’s CEO is helping The Washington Post innovate
